Governor Deal Announces More Than $40 Million In Community Development Awards
60 communities to get funding for critical community needs
Atlanta, GA (August 24, 2018) – Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that 60 Georgia communities will receive a total of more than $40 million in federal assistance to help grow their local economies. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated the funding to Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
"Strong and prosperous communities enhance the quality of life for citizens and generate economic development opportunities across the state," said Deal. "The CDBG program enables cities and counties to direct federal funding to address critical community needs and revitalize the local economies that need it most. By investing in smaller cities and rural areas, we are preparing an even brighter future for all of Georgia, maximizing opportunities for citizens and further solidifying Georgia’s position as the No. 1 state in the nation for business."
"CDBG is a vital community development tool for rural Georgia," said DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn. "This program’s impact can be felt in every corner of our state."
Of this year’s grant awards, $38.2 million will go to infrastructure projects such as neighborhood revitalization, construction of community facilities, and water, sewer, drainage or street improvements. An additional $2.8 million will be disbursed through the Employment Incentive Program (EIP) and the Redevelopment Fund, which together are projected to create 345 new jobs and generate $50.2 million in additional private investment.
Since 2011, the CDBG program’s investments in new and enhanced health care facilities have helped more than 30,000 Georgians gain access to improved health care services, primarily in hard-to-reach areas. Over the last eight years, the CDBG program has funded critical projects to improve water and sewer services for more than 125,000 people in rural communities. DCA has granted 59 EIP awards during the last eight award cycles to create 5,292 jobs and retain 308 more. Since 2011, EIP has generated more than $1.32 billion in private investment across the state. From 2011 to 2018, more than 12,000 children, youth and seniors have benefitted from the construction of public facilities such as community centers and Boys and Girls Clubs.
A complete list of the 2018 CDBG awards is attached. Communities are listed in alphabetical order.
For more information regarding Georgia’s CDBG awards, please visit DCA’s website at dca.ga.gov and search for CDBG. In addition, informational sessions for CDBG recipient communities and elected officials will take place during the DCA Fall Conference, which is scheduled for October 10-11, 2018, at the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia. Please go to the DCA homepage to register and/or find out more information about the workshop. Workshop-related questions may also be directed to Dana Mykytyn at (404) 679-5275 or Dana.Mykytyn@dca.ga.gov.
About the Department of Community Affairs
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to build strong and vibrant neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas through community and economic development, local government assistance, and safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal resources, DCA helps communities spur private job creation, implement planning, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions and promote volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified Georgians with low and moderate incomes buy homes, rent housing and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. For more information, visit www.dca.ga.gov.
