Joined by representatives from the legislature, the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Economic Development, Governor Brian Kemp announced the second round of recipients for the OneGeorgia Authority’s Rural Site Development Initiative. The program helps rural communities develop new industrial sites – for example project-ready business or industrial parks, building capacity for economic growth and giving a boost to rural Georgia.
“Georgia offers the workforce, connectivity, and business-friendly environment for companies to be successful in every corner of the state, which is why we’ve been named the top state for business for over a decade,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “The Rural Site Development Initiative helps us maintain that competitive edge over other states by empowering communities to build on that success and turn fields of dreams into sources of good-paying jobs for rural Georgians. I want to congratulate all of these communities on receiving these awards and thank our legislative partners who helped make this program possible through strategic funding.”
This round of grants totals $8 million, bringing the total to $18 million since the Rural Site Development Initiative launched. Eligible applicants are development authorities and the site in question must be at least 50 contiguous acres.
“Georgia’s historic economic development success has not happened by accident. It is the direct result of our leadership’s decades-long dedication to strengthening our workforce, investing in our infrastructure, and building a better, brighter future for Georgians across the state,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “The OneGeorgia Authority’s Rural Site Development Grants represent our state’s unwavering commitment to bringing new opportunities for economic success to every corner of the state, and I look forward to seeing the impact these awards will have on rural Georgia communities and citizens for generations to come.”
Southeast Georgia is the biggest winner regionally – albeit a very large region. Milledgeville may be the furthest north county to receive a grant, awarded $2 million for readiness improvements, including an entry road and other road improvements at the 1,500-acre Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site Sibley Place. Bulloch County, Dublin-Laurens and Worth County also all received large grants, $1.5 million for Bulloch and $2 million each for Dublin-Laurens and Worth.
“Georgia’s economic development success is the result of strong leadership and strategic investment,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn. “This tool enables communities to remain attractive for future prospects and achieve their vision of economic prosperity.”
The grants announced also included six “scholarships” to assist in the GRAD certification process. Waynesboro-Burke is receiving $35,000 to certify the 150-acre industrial park there, $75,000 for certification of the Douglas Aviation Industrial Park in Douglas-Coffee County, $75,000 for the same in Jefferson County, $192,000 for certification of the Tidewater East Industrial Park in McIntosh County, $31,000 for the Pulaski County-Hawkinsville Development Authority to certify the 170-acre industrial park, and, finally, $142,000 in Washington-Wilkes for the 455-acre industrial park.
“The Rural Site Development Initiative empowers communities to proactively shape economic growth that aligns with their long-term goals,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “GRAD-certified sites offer speed-to-market advantages for companies and strengthen Georgia’s competitive site portfolio. As we build on years of economic success, investing in new site development ensures we sustain and accelerate that momentum.”
