THOMASVILLE — In jeopardy of closing or being a seasonal-only facility, the Thomasville farmers market will continue to operate for a year.

District 173 state Rep. Darlene Taylor spoke with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black late Friday afternoon.

“He has assured me they have found a path to keep our market open,” said Taylor, a Thomasville Republican.

The market will remain open and operate as it is now for a year.

“During that year, we must decide what the community will do,” Taylor said. “We have people interested in buying the market.”

Taylor said she looks forward to meeting with city and county officials, the general public and farmers about the market’s future

“I want citizens to have a public meeting and to work together to provide for our farmers market and our community,” Taylor said.

Several weeks ago, the decades-old Thomasville market was on a hit list that also included markets at Cordele, Macon and Savannah. State officials cited a shortfall in state revenue resulting the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent days, it was learned the Thomasville market, along with Cordele, were planned to operate on a seasonal basis. Taylor and farmers markets produce business owners balked.

Taylor said the Thomasville market had House backing, but market budget changes were made in the Senate.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820