Peach Tree Times

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the fourth round of grant recipients from the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative this week. The grants, totaling more than $10.3 million, will support nearly 312 housing units across five communities.

"We've already seen incredible results from our Rural Workforce Housing grants helping Georgians live where they work," said Governor Kemp. "This latest round of investments will further that impact in rural Georgia as our state sees even more historic opportunity and record economic development. I want to thank the Department of Community Affairs and OneGeorgia Authority board for making these grants available to communities that will benefit from them most."

The Rural Workforce Housing Initiative, introduced in the Governor’s 2023 State of the State Address, aims to develop critically needed workforce housing across Georgia. Initially funded with $35.7 million approved by the Georgia General Assembly in 2023, Governor Kemp requested an additional $50 million in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget and another $6 million for Fiscal Year 2025. These funds were approved and signed into law earlier this year.

"Demand for workforce housing continues to increase across the state as our economy grows," said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn. "The OneGeorgia Authority is pleased to support these communities that are pursuing deliberate workforce housing strategies."

Grant recipients demonstrated strong collaboration between communities and real estate developers, meeting all applicable state laws and regulations as well as policies and requirements set by the OneGeorgia Authority and the Department of Community Affairs.

Awards:

City of Blackshear:

Blackshear will receive an infrastructure grant of $2,450,000 for water, sewer, street, and drainage improvements at Pinehurst Village development. This will enable construction of 43 new homes across phases two and three by Lloyd Investments.

City of Gainesville:

Gainesville will be awarded $2,500,000 for drainage infrastructure improvements supporting developments by Gainesville Nonprofit Development Foundation (17-23 single-family homes) and Norton Agency (66 rental units). The city contributes to a total project cost of $3,839,675.

City of Reidsville:

Reidsville will receive $1,650,351 for water, road, drainage, and sewer improvements at Pine Ridge Subdivision supporting 37 new single-family homes built by Catch 22 Properties. The city contributes to a total infrastructure cost of $1,690,351.

City of Sylvester:

Sylvester will be awarded $1,321,523 for water, road, sewer, and drainage improvements at Quail Pines Subdivision supporting 20-64 new homes across phases two and three by Quail Pines of Sylvester LLC. Both parties contribute to a total project cost of $1,849,373.

Development Authority of Bulloch County:

Bulloch County's Development Authority will receive $2,437,520 for road and drainage improvements at Cornerstone Point development supporting 79 new single-family homes by VALNOC LLC. Both parties contribute to a total project cost of $3,108,620.