State Rep. Trey Kelley is used to a crowd to present his message to attendees at the State of the Community Address, but this year he joined other leaders in providing a pre-recorded message for the virtual event for 2020.

And his message is that Georgia is on a road to recovery following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelley recorded his message on Sept. 30 from just outside the House chambers at the Gold Dome. He talked about September numbers for COVID-19 and the lower averages that were seen in previous months when he recorded his message to the community, and how unemployment numbers were going down statewide following a spike due to shutdowns from COVID-19.

“While our state is going through a difficult time, we’re on a path to recovery and our economy is on a path to returning to the strength that it was pre-COVID,” he said.

He later added that the state’s rate was dropping well below the national average, and that Georgia was ranked once again the best to do business in the country for the seventh year in a row.

“In July alone, there are over $574 million woth of new investment in our state, and over 3,600 new jobs which came into Georgia,” he said. “Even during this difficult time.”

Among the other items he touted was a paycut for House members by 10% for the year, and the COVID immunity bill he “authored in the house” to allow businesses to re-open without threat of frivolous lawsuits.

He also talked about law enforcement and a new law passed this year to provide additional legal protections, and spoke about Lacee Landrum’s fight against Breast Cancer, and the law bearing her name to ensure that all women on state health benefit plans who are high risk for breast cancer can get a mammogram without cost.

He also thanked the Chamber for the work they did so far during the pandemic to support local business.

“We know these are trying times, and during these difficult days it reiterates the need for a strong chamber to assist the business community.

He ended by telling Polk County that citizens remain in his and his family’s prayers, and asked for prayer for leaders of the state and everyone suffering from the ill effects of COVID-19.