Georgia maintains AAA bond rating

ATLANTA — Georgia was one of only eight states nationwide to maintain its AAA bond rating, according to Gov. Nathan Deal.

“It is a reflection of the state’s commitment to sound fiscal management and the conservative leadership of our General Assembly,” Deal said in a statement.

The state received the top rating from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. The rating means lower costs to borrow money, officials said.

“Maintaining the state’s triple-A bond ratings during these challenging economic times is a credit to the practical fiscal stewardship of our limited public financial resources,” House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said in a statement. “I strongly believe that Gov. Deal’s leadership will play an integral role in our state’s future economic success by maintaining these ratings and ensuring that every taxpayer dollar goes as far as it possibly can.”