MACON, Ga. --- Gov. Sonny Perdue's home county has been picked to be the home of a new $22 million hatchery and visitor center, part of a plan by the governor to promote fishing and tourism in Georgia.

The Go Fish Georgia Center, which is to be located down the road from Mr. Perdue's middle Georgia hometown of Bonaire in Houston County, is expected to be announced by the governor today.

State officials have said the proposed 30,000-square-foot fishing center could draw 200,000 visitors a year if placed in a central, easily accessible location.

The building is the centerpiece of the Go Fish Georgia initiative, which will use $30 million in state funds and private donations to boost local economies through fishing and boating tourism.

"We anticipate it will be worth a considerable amount of tourism," Perry, Ga., Mayor Jim Worrall told The Telegraph . "Fishermen in this state spend a lot of money going here and yonder for fish."

The hatchery would help stock the state's lakes with more trophy largemouth bass, using offspring of trophy bass donated by anglers.

Another part of the plan would use state money and private donations to expand boat ramps at reservoirs so they can be used for professional tournaments. Georgia officials would like to have 15 state lakes and rivers for pro fishing tournaments.

Mr. Perdue's "Go Fish" program was the focus of his 2007 legislative agenda, and is expected to use $30 million in state and private donations to boost fishing. The governor told lawmakers the initiative will help attract tourists and lucrative fishing tournaments.