Since taking office as Georgia’s top leader, Gov. Brian Kemp has been committed to promoting growth in rural Georgia. As his second term draws closer to a close, Kemp announced the fourth round of grants from the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) within the OneGeorgia Authority — totaling $7.8 million for 10 local projects across the state.
Kemp pointed out that with this latest round of grants, the State of Georgia has invested $28 million into rural site development projects since the program’s launch in FY 2025.
“Since I took office, over 64 percent of the new jobs created have gone to parts of our state outside the metro Atlanta region, and the Rural Site Development Initiative is an important part of that broader effort to bring opportunity to all parts of Georgia,” said Kemp. “I’m grateful for the great partnership of the General Assembly in funding and promoting this program, and I look forward to even more jobs and investment going to rural areas.”
RSDI grants are awarded for either site improvement or to assist with the costs of seeking Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification on approved projects critical to economic development in that area of the state. Communities match state funding at various levels, based on the program’s criteria.
Both Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Speaker Jon Burns applauded the grants.
“Rural site development grants are essential to Georgia’s growth, productivity, and sustainability,” said Jones. “I commend Governor Brian Kemp for leading the charge to fund and promote this program, which has awarded $28 million for critical projects in rural communities across Georgia.”
“Rural communities are the lifeblood of Georgia’s economy, which is why the House is proud to support Rural Site Development Grants that help bring good-paying jobs to hardworking Georgians across our state,” said Burns. “I am especially proud of the investments being made in Southeast Georgia as the region navigates unprecedented changes in the forestry industry that has sustained our communities for generations. These grants will strengthen economic opportunity across the region and ensure the continued success of our entire state.”
Several of the awards went to the local development authority for site improvement or infrastructure. The Development Authority of Columbus in west Georgia was awarded $2 million for site improvement work, including clearing and grading, at the GRAD-certified Muscogee Technology Park. The total project costs are $10 million.
And the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority near coastal Georgia was awarded $1.5 million for road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements at the GRAD-certified Tidewaters Industrial Park. The total project costs are $2.8 million. This is the second site development award for McIntosh County, which previously received a GRAD-Certification Scholarship for this grant.
The investments result in jobs for these rural areas, according to Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson.
“Over the last several years, GRAD sites have helped attract an estimated 10,000 jobs to communities across the state,” said Wilson. “Proactive economic development planning, including through shovel-ready sites, strengthens our entire portfolio and competitiveness as a state.”
