Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Thursday, April 17, the latest round of grant recipients for the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative, totaling more than $11 million in infrastructure development and supporting 542 housing units in five communities. All award recipients demonstrated strong collaboration and partnership with local real estate developers.
"Georgia is experiencing rapid growth in communities across the state, and with that growth comes a need to provide infrastructure for those filling the record-breaking number of jobs to live and work," said Gov. Kemp. "This latest round of grants will ensure the people of Cairo, Hagan, Douglas, Augusta, and Swainsboro can live where they work and promote prosperity for these communities."
First announced in the governor’s 2023 State of the State Address, the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative continues to be a catalyst for the development of critically needed workforce housing in communities across the state. The Georgia General Assembly approved $35.7 million to start the initiative in the Amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget, a further $50 million in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget, an additional $6 million for Fiscal Year 2025, and an additional $28 million in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024.
Awards
City of Cairo
The City of Cairo was awarded $2,500.000 in OneGeorgia grant funds to construct road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements to construct a total of 180 new, single-family housing units on 45 acres of land. The phased construction will begin with 60 single-family homes. The City of Cairo is contributing $227,078 to the total construction cost. The city has already approved the zoning requirements, and clearing has already started at the site.
City of Hagan
The City of Hagan received a grant of $1,074,711 to improve street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure to develop 29 single-family homes on six acres of land. The city is contributing $62,241 towards the project.
Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority
The Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority was awarded $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds to construct street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure that will allow for the phased construction of 67 new housing units. The development is on a 36-acre tract. The first phase will allow for the construction of 40 single-family homes.
Augusta Economic Development Authority
The Augusta Economic Development Authority sought $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds to construct road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements. The grant will support the development of 55 new, single-family housing units within the Southern Oaks Phase I development on 11.5 acres. Subsequent phases will allow for 104 units and some future commercial development.
City of Swainsboro
The City of Swainsboro received $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds for water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure improvements for development in the 23-acre Rolling Oaks Subdivision. The initial phase will see 24 units developed, and additional phases will allow for a total of 47 homes in the subdivision. The city is contributing $102,000 towards the project, along with financial commitments from the developer.