Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn announced 37 Georgia communities are set to receive more than $33.8 million in federal grants to help strengthen their communities.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated these annual funds to Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
This year’s grant awards will fund $27.7 million in infrastructure projects, $4.1 million in housing projects, and $2 million in various building projects across the 37 awarded communities.
Among the grant recipients was Bryan County, which will get $1 million to build a new Senior Services Center in Pembroke, according to DCA. The project will benefit 52 residents.
The total project cost is $2.236 million, with the county matching with $1.236 million.
Pembroke will get a $914,650 grant for drainage and sewage improvements in the Luscious Drive area.
The project will benefit 328 residents. It is expected to cost $1.137 million, with the city matching with $222,522.
“With these grants, we make important investments in infrastructure, community facilities, and neighborhood revitalization,” Kimberly Carter, DCA diirector of community finance, said.
Through a competitive process, this annual grant program supports community projects, facilitates the creation of jobs, and assists low-to-moderate-income citizens. Georgia’s CDBG program is available to eligible non-entitlement local governments, and specifically targets rural Georgians for service provisions.
DCA received more than $43 million in requests this fiscal year. Applications are scored, rated, and ranked with grants awarded based on an applicant’s overall ranking.
Over the last 10 years, the CDBG program provided resources for critical water and sewer improvements,serving more than 143,000 residentsin rural areas. The program has also supported the construction or enhancement of community facilities that serve more than 741,525 Georgians.
“Community Development Block Grants are impactful tools that benefit all parts of the state, especially rural Georgia,” Nunn said. “These awards represent local-driven city and county solutions that will improve the quality of life for many Georgians.”