Input-Output Analysis with Public Policy Objectives: A Case Study of the Georgia Cotton Industry

Farm bill legislation directed at agricultural commodities contributes to economies of rural areas. This research quantifies the economic impacts of the Georgia cotton industry for the U.S. economy. A cotton industry model with cotton and peanut acreage is utilized with IMPLAN to estimate impacts. The Georgia cotton industry creates 4% more tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments than it receives in commodity support payments. Stochastic simulation analysis indicates that the Georgia cotton industry is not likely to remain viable without government payments.