OneGeorgia Authority : News Releases

Learn more about the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Program

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The OneGeorgia Authority has provided funding to the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center to deliver expanded services to Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses in rural Georgia. This new partnership program is called the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Program or GA-ESB for short. The Goals of this program are to: • Support the needs of the small business and entrepreneur community • Improve the operations of entrepreneur and small businesses • Position small businesses for growth • Provide access into new markets and technologies Services available at no or low cost include: • One-on-one consultations for business growth and development including strategic plans, business plans, marketing, human resources, financing and other aspect to create and maintain a successful business. • Market development through data mining and/or new product development • Marketing through technology including information on how to assess your website, social networking opportunities, e-commerce and more • Implementation of manufacturing technologies for improved performance including automation, information technology solutions and best practices of Lean, Quality, and Sustainability • Peer-to-peer networking opportunities • Assistance in navigating how to do business with the federal, state and/or local governments. Are you a small business or entrepreneur located in rural Georgia that could benefit from these services? Click on www.ga-esb.org!

High-speed networks heading for the hills

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Reprinted with permission of The Gainesville Times

Reporter: Jessica Jordan

Photographer: Sara Guevara

Gov. Sonny Perdue visited North Georgia College & State University on Tuesday to award a $2.5 million grant from the OneGeorgia Authority to pave the way for the area’s electronic super highway. Perdue, who is chairman of the OneGeorgia Authority, presented the check to local governments in Lumpkin, Dawson, Union and White counties. The funds augment the $33 million in federal stimulus funds U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced on Dec. 17 that will support a 260-mile broadband Internet network throughout 12 counties. The state grant accompanies public and private contributions to complete the local 20 percent match required to tap the federal funds, said OneGeorgia Executive Director Nancy Cobb. David Potter, North Georgia College & State University president, said the university’s partnership with local governments and private electrical membership corporations facilitated the $42 million project. “This project holds the promise of transforming our region’s economic base and prospects for the future,” he said. “… This initiative, I think, represents the coming of age for North Georgia.” Potter said the increased connectivity will allow the university to expand its online distance learning courses in nursing and foreign languages. The governor said the network will benefit health care and businesses as well as 82 public schools and six other colleges. Perdue has promoted high-speed Internet access throughout the state since 2006, and he said the North Georgia Network initiative means jobs and infrastructure for a more prosperous rural North Georgia. He said broadband Internet connectivity is to the 21st century what electricity was to the 20th century. He said the network lays the foundation for business leaders to see the mountainous areas of the state as viable locations from which to do business worldwide. “This year we’ll see some impact from the jobs,” Perdue said. “That will be minor compared to the long-term jobs we’ll see.” Greg Richardson, a managing partner of the Alpharetta broadband consulting firm Civitium, estimates the initiative will bring 800 fiber optic cable laying jobs to the area over the next two years. Richardson said although it is unclear how long it will take stakeholders to process grant agreements with the federal government, work on laying the cable could begin by April.

Vice President Biden, Governor Perdue Announce Funding for North Georgia Network

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

$42 million in total funding will provide 260-mile fiber optic loop through eight North Georgia counties

December, 17, 2009 DAWSONVILLE – Vice President Joe Biden joined Governor Sonny Perdue today to announce a total of $42 million in local, state, federal and private funding to create a 260-mile fiber optic loop that will enable broadband access through eight North Georgia counties.

“New broadband access means more capacity and better reliability in rural areas and underserved urban communities around the country. Businesses will be able to improve their customer service and better compete around the world,” said Vice President Biden. “This is what the Recovery Act is all about – sparking new growth, tapping into the ingenuity of the American people and giving folks the tools they need to help build a new economy in the 21st-century.”

“Broadband is the new dial tone of the 21st century,” said Governor Perdue. “Internet access is as important to our communications infrastructure today as reliable telephone service was a century ago. Creating an advanced network will promote economic development, expand educational opportunities and improve the availability and efficiency of government services.”

In August 2009, the North Georgia Network applied to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and to the OneGeorgia Authority’s Bridge Program to build 135 miles of fiber optic network and to lease additional fiber from Atlanta Gas Light and Ellijay Telephone to create a 260-mile loop through 8 counties in North Georgia. The federal government is supplying $33 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, OneGeorgia is providing $2.5 million in funding, local EMCs are providing $4 million, and local governments are providing $2.5 million.

Governor Perdue has been a strong advocate for Georgia broadband projects in discussions with Vice President Biden and in letters to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Governor Perdue began working on bringing broadband to rural areas of the state in 2006 when the General Assembly, at the Governor’s request, appropriated funds to expand wireless broadband access. The OneGeorgia Authority, chaired by Governor Perdue, established a separate program to assist rural communities seeking to establish broadband networks of any kind.

In 2006, the Governor said, “The goal of my Broadband Initiative is to ensure that every Georgia community is plugged in to the global economy with the broadband connectivity that individuals and businesses need.”

Today’s announcement was made at Impulse Manufacturing, a precision metal fabrication company that employs 150 people and has customers around the world. The company invests heavily in capital equipment and new software technologies, but its networking capabilities are extremely limited due to the slow upload and email files frequently “bounce back” to customers. Larger files are difficult to download. Impulse wants to improve its service by offering customers a portal so they can log directly into software systems for real-time manufacturing information, but the technology in Dawson County is not sufficient. Without better network capacity and improved reliability, Impulse’s opportunities for growth would be severely limited.

The eight counties impacted directly include Lumpkin, Dawson, Union, White, Habersham, Rabun, Towns and Forsyth counties with a combined population of 334,000. The project will serve more than 9,000 businesses; pass through 146 county government facilities, 82 public schools, 7 technical institutions, colleges and universities and 4 hospitals. Construction on the network will begin in the first quarter of 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

The OneGeorgia Authority was created utilizing one-third of the state’s tobacco settlement to assist the state’s most economically challenged areas. The OneGeorgia Authority is expected to receive about $1.6 billion over the 25-year term of the settlement. From the Authority’s inception to-date, OneGeorgia has made 459 awards totaling $253 million leveraged against total project investment of $5 billion, a return on investment of 20:1. Impacting 132 economically-depressed counties, more than 45,000 jobs have been retained and created.

Governor Perdue Announces OneGeorgia Awards

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Governor Perdue Announces $8.3 million in OneGeorgia Awards Monday, December 7, 2009 THOMASVILLE, GA –Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board met today at Southwest Georgia Technical College and approved grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs. These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, supporting the retention of existing jobs and enhancing regional competitiveness through capacity-building projects. These projects, along with their respective local leadership representatives, were recognized at the OneGeorgia board meeting. Company officials and local leaders associated with the most recent EDGE awards were recognized at today’s meeting. The five EDGE awards, totaling $2,548,640, are leveraged against approximately $100 million in total project costs and are projected to create over 677 jobs within the next three years as well as to retain 75 jobs. Washington-Wilkes Payroll Development Authority / Callaway Farms Manufacturing, LLC EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with building improvements to support the location of Callaway Farms Manufacturing, LLC (CFM), an animal bedding manufacturer, to Washington. The Company plans to rehabilitate an existing 20-acre site previously occupied by International Paper Company Sawmill. CFM is a privately held company that was created in 2007 by three individuals who have over 75 years of agricultural and business experience. The Company’s principal product will be animal bedding for horses that will be made out of pulpwood and unusable timber procured from a five-county area surrounding Wilkes County.  EDGE Award: $100,000 / Total Project Cost: $4,500,000  50 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Jasper, Alabama

Development Authority of Harris County / Hoover Universal, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation to support the location of Hoover Universal, Inc. (HUI), an auto supply manufacturer, to West Point, Harris County. HUI plans to construct a 127,500 square-foot facility on 27 acres in the Northwest Harris Business Park, which is located six miles from the KIA facility. The Company will manufacture interior automotive components, such as seats and door panels, as a Tier 1 supplier to KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. Hoover Universal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) which was established in 1883. JCI employs over 140,000 worldwide.  EDGE Award: $1,000,000 / Total Project Cost: $35,252,300  310 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Alabama

Development Authority of Walton County/General Mills Operations, LLC EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment to outfit a new distribution facility in support of General Mills Operations, LLC (GMO). GMO is a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc. (GMI), a Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s premier consumer foods companies with products in over 100 countries around the world. With a current manufacturing facility in Covington, Newton County, Georgia since 1989, the Company seeks to expand in the southeastern region of the U.S. by constructing a regional distribution center. General Mills plans to construct a 1.5 million square-foot LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility on 130 acres that will be one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Some of General Mills’ more notable products and brands include: Cheerios, Wheaties, Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Betty Crocker and the most recognized icon of GMI – the Pillsbury Dough Boy.  EDGE Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $46,718,096  112 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Florida and Tennessee

Houston County Development Authority / Little League Baseball, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation in support of the location of Little League Baseball (LLB), Inc. LLB, a non-profit organization which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues, has helped to organize over 200,000 teams (2.3 million players) in every state in the US and over 80 countries throughout the world. The Company is relocating its Southeastern regional headquarters from St. Petersburg, Florida to Warner Robins in Houston County to a new facility best suited for growth and expansion. LLB plans to construct 10,000 square-feet of administrative office/meeting space, practice fields, and enclosed one-story maintenance facility on 26 acres adjacent to the existing 29.56-acres Warner Robins American Little League complex. The location is expected to attract approximately 20,000 annual visitors to the area which over a 10-year period is estimated to have a $32 million regional impact.  EDGE Award: $598,640 / Total Project Cost: $5,528,740  5 new jobs and indirect impact of $3+ million annually across the region  / Interstate competition: North and South Carolina

Thomasville Payroll Development Authority / Senior Life Insurance Company EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation and construction for the expansion of Senior Life Insurance Company (SLIC) in Thomasville. SLIC is a Thomasville based insurance company that has been in business more than 37 years. The Company is licensed to underwrite life and health insurance products in 20 states and the District of Columbia. It is a niche company which offers insurance products to senior citizens. SLIC has 75 employees in Thomasville and occupies 9,000 square feet of rental office space. In 2000, SLIC operated in Georgia and five other southeastern states and in 2002 and 2003, expanded to eight additional states, with two other state applications currently pending. With rapid growth, SLIC has outgrown its current facility, prompting management’s decision to expand its corporate headquarters in Thomasville or move to Florida. The Company plans to construct a 40,000 square foot facility on a 10-acre tract located at the intersection of West Jackson Street and U.S. Hwy 319 South in Thomasville.  EDGE Award: $350,000 / Total Project Cost: $7,973,960  200 new jobs in three years; retain 75 jobs / Interstate competition: Tallahassee, Florida

The Equity Fund is designed to assist communities and regions in building the necessary infrastructure to support economic development. The program’s flexibility also provides financial assistance to enhance publicly-owned tourism initiatives, workforce development opportunities and downtown revitalization projects. In addition, loan funds are available through the Equity Revolving Loan Fund to assist small business owners with business growth and expansion opportunities. Today, twelve Equity awards, totaling $5,100,126, are leveraged against approximately $202 million in total project costs.

City of Vienna – Sewer Infrastructure Equity grant funds will be used for sewer infrastructure improvements to the City of Vienna’s force main that pumps water from a gravity lift station owned by the City of Vienna to their waste treatment facility. The majority of this water is from the Tyson Foods poultry Processing Facility located in the City of Vienna’s Industrial Park. The City of Vienna is under a Consent Order with Georgia Environmental Protection Division as a result of several spills from the force main between the gravity lift station and the City of Vienna’s waste treatment plant over the last few years. Failure of this force main could cause a shutdown of the Tyson facility until repairs could be made thus effecting 600 employees at the facility in addition to the Live Production operations and growers associated with the processing facility.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $2,577,000 / Retain 600 jobs

City of Cordele – Road Infrastructure Equity loan funds will be used to assist with road widening improvements along Frontage Road and Kelly Road to State Route 300 in order to open up the area to commercial development opportunities and encourage tourism to the area by accommodating the heavy traffic from I-75 and SR 300. The City of Cordele is located in Crisp County in south middle Georgia in a federally designated Empowerment Zone. Crisp, Dooly and Wilcox Counties have some of the worst poverty levels in the state. The proposed road improvements would increase the number of customers willing and/or able to access businesses along Frontage Road. Businesses to benefit from the road widening improvements are McDonald’s, Flash Foods, Papa’s Southern Meats and Eats, Back Woods Outdoors and Shelby’s Market Place. These Companies and the developer have provided a firm letter of commitment that assures the creation of 68 jobs and the provision of $7,960,648 in private investment.  Equity Loan Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $9,476,648 / Create 68 jobs

Downtown Development Authority of the City of Arlington – Facilitating Business Growth / Land, Site Prep, and Public Infrastructure Equity loan funds will be used to assist with the expansion of Damascus Fertilizer Company, d/b/a Early Trucking Company (ETC), located in Arlington, Calhoun County, Georgia. ETC is one of the largest employers in Calhoun County with 42 full-time employees who reside in 9 counties. The Company provides several levels of services to Southwest Georgia’s peanut industry. These services include transporting peanuts from farmer to purchaser, transporting peanuts in the hull from buying locations to shelling plants, shipping shelled product to storage, shipping hull fiber to regional feed mills and chicken processors, and delivering bulk oil grade peanuts to regional processors. Increased demand has required an expansion of its truck fleet from 28 to 42 trucks, the purchase of 26 additional trailers and 14 additional full-time drivers. The existing location is no longer adequate for ETC’s expanded operations. Equity funds will be loaned to ETC for land acquisition, site preparation and building construction.  Equity Loan Award: $300,126 / Total Project Cost: $2,535,484/ Create 20 jobs

Grady County Joint Development Authority – Capacity Building/ Land Acquisition Equity grant funds will be used to assist with the acquisition of 175 acres of land ($2.2million) to expand the existing 179-acre Milestone Industrial Park in Cairo, Grady County. The property is located just off Hwy 84, has CSX rail access and is attractive for companies needing access to the tri-state market of Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The City of Cairo has committed to provide all utilities ($1 million) including water, sewer, electricity and natural gas extensions. The Industrial Park was established in 1990 and has become the primary location for much of the industry located in the County, currently serving 17 industries with an estimated 950 workers. Because only small (4 to 10 acre) tracts remain in the original park, Grady County recognized the need to expand the Park, having larger sites available for prospective industries.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3,276,284

City of Madison Downtown Development Authority – Enhancing Regional Tourism / Building Construction Equity grant funds will be used to assist with the development of the new Town Park Event Center in downtown Madison. The requested funds will be used for the construction of Harris Bicentennial Pavilion and an Art Guild Cottage, the Park’s primary venue and tourist welcome center. Although a center for education and agriculture in the 19th century, Madison is best known today as a popular tourist destination which already hosts over 50,000 visitors each year by marketing its historic downtown and attractions such as the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, the African American Museum, Heritage Hall, the Rose Cottage, and others. Town Park will accommodate approximately 3,000 people and has already been a tremendous economic development catalyst in the City and Region. The new event center will attract visitors and tourists as it revitalizes a portion of downtown Madison, resulting in the generation of new jobs and tax revenues for the City, County, Region, and State.  Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $2,523,045

Clayton-Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority – Enhancing Regional Competitiveness / Sewer Infrastructure Improvements Equity grant funds will provide gap financing for needed sewer infrastructure along the northern sector of US Hwy 441 between Mountain City and Dillard to sustain existing businesses. The community has executed documents with GEFA for a $1 million loan and received an Appalachian Regional Commission grant of $300,000. With the Georgia Department of Transportation’s completion of the widening/improving of the Northern section of Hwy 441, acceleration of tourism and commercial business sectors is anticipated in an area where topography and environmental protections often limit development opportunities. Because the northernmost portion of this highway (1.25 miles) is without sanitary sewer, existing businesses are threatened by failing onsite septic systems, and new businesses are unable to locate without this basic infrastructure. For example, both the Feed Mill Restaurant and Osage Farms are considering expansions due to business growth. However, due to failing sewer systems, these expansions are in jeopardy. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, Rabun and Habersham Counties are strategically positioned to attract and conduct business within a four-state region which includes Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $2,120,000 / Retain 12 jobs

Toccoa-Stephens Airport Authority – Building Construction Equity grant funds will be used to assist with construction of a 5,948 SF terminal facility at the Toccoa-Stephens County Regional Airport at R.G LeTourneau Field. Presently a small office within a privately-operated maintenance hangar serves as the airport terminal. The airport, located in the northeastern corner of the state, is centrally located near the Georgia and North/South Carolina borders and serves as a gateway to the Northeast Georgia Mountains. Statistics reflect that this Level II airport handles comparable traffic to other Level III airports (Cornelia, Blairsville) and is Georgia’s northernmost airport before entering mountainous terrain, serving as a hub for Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain tourist traffic. While neighboring Franklin and Hart Counties are served by two airports, neither have adequate facilities to welcome/meet prospective business clients. This proposed airport terminal will play a pivotal role in attracting regional business and tourism prospects to the Northeast Region. After losing 2,000+ furniture manufacturing jobs and similar amount of textile jobs, this region has adopted a plan to attract smaller diversified industry.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3,227,199

Randolph County Development Authority – Agri-business Equity loan funds will be used to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment in support of the location of A.G. Daniel Industries, LLC to Randolph County, Georgia. A.G. Daniel Industries is a Georgia company which will manufacture cattle feed product from cotton gin waste material which is currently being disposed of via burning. This product can replace high quality cattle feed at a price that is significantly lower than the market price of other like feed products. The Company will also reclaim 11.5% good quality cotton lint which will be baled in industry standard 500 pound bales and sold to cotton product manufacturers. The processing equipment will also collect and separate what is known as mote cotton which will also be baled and sold to either a mote processor or a company that manufactures products from the short fiber material, such as money, insulation and furniture padding. A.G. Daniel will create at least 70 new jobs within two years and invest over $5 million in the community.  Equity Loan Award: $400,000 / Total Project Cost: $6,429,988 / Create 70 jobs

Development Authority of Jefferson County – Water Infrastructure Equity grant funds will support water infrastructure improvements in the new 664 acre Kings Mill Commerce Park located 3 miles south of Wrens and 10 miles from Louisville. The project will consist of constructing 17,700 linear feet of 12-inch waterlines to serve the park. Jefferson County is contracting with the City of Wrens to operate and maintain the system. The property is strategically located near the junction of US Hwy 1 and S. R. 80 and is bordered by nearly one mile of Norfolk Southern main rail line. Natural gas service is available via the City of Wrens. Jefferson County became Georgia’s first Certified Work Ready Community. In addition, the County is recognized as a Community of Opportunity. Known as a bedroom community on the outskirts of Augusta, Jefferson County is one of 14 counties that comprise the Central Savannah River Area. Although no tenants have been secured for the Park thus far, the projected impact in terms of job creation is 1,650 jobs at full build-out.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3,962,354

City of Barnesville – Water Infrastructure Equity grant funds will assist with public water infrastructure improvements, specifically the installation of a dual feed loop to the City’s existing water system, to support the location of Piedmont Green Power, LLC (PGP) on 50 acres in the Legacy Industrial Park in Barnesville. Having a reliable, continuous supply of water at the required pressure will be a critical factor in the operation of the plant. The company plans to begin construction in March 2010 with anticipated operations/commissioning of the plant in the spring of 2012. PGP, a subsidiary of North Carolina-based Rollcast Energy, Inc, is a producer of clean, sustainable electrical energy. PGP plans to construct a 60,000 SF renewable power generation facility using native, regional biomass materials to generate nearly 50 megawatts of electricity that will be sold through a power purchase agreement (PPA) to Georgia Power.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $161,144,120  Create 22 jobs and unspecified number of indirect jobs via trucking, forest products and ancillary services

City of Colquitt Downtown Development Authority – Regional Tourism/Building Rehab Equity grant and loan funds will be used to renovate a 4,600 square foot 1950s era movie theater on the town square into a regional multi-use conference/ meeting/performance center to be called The Woodstork Center. The Center has a seating capacity of 300 and would accommodate all types of events. This facility is seen as an enhancement and expansion of the cultural tourism initiative started in 1992 with the first production of Swamp Gravy, Georgia’s Folk Life Play. Over the last several years Colquitt has hosted multiple conferences including “Building Creative Communities” Conferences (2006-2009) with the 4th scheduled for February 2010 and also three Southwest Georgia Film Festivals held each September. Colquitt has also been selected to host the 2010 “Global Mural, Arts and Cultural Tourism” Conference next October, which will bring people from all over the world. Over the years, Colquitt has expanded its performance repertoire to include May-Haw, a musical variety theater offered during the year as well as summer and Christmas Youth Theater Programs. An estimated 55,000 people visit Colquitt and Miller County annually for performances, events, festivals, mural tours, and restaurants. The project will be another asset to build on the cultural tourism industry of the region.  Equity Grant/Loan Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $1,205,489

Hart County Water and Sewer Utility Authority – Water Infrastructure Equity grant funds will be used to assist with water improvements to benefit Cobb-Vantress, Inc. (CVI) and Crystal Farms, Inc. (CFI), two of the state’s leading poultry industries. Cobb-Vantress is a leading supplier of broiler breeding stock. They are currently served by three groundwater wells. A consistent, reliable water source is needed to hydrate and cool the 60,000 great grandparent birds at the location. Their 43 employees also take approximately 100 showers a day. Crystal Farms, Inc. is the largest commercial egg producer in the state of Georgia. The southwestern Hart County facility houses 1.4 million hens. The site currently has sixteen wells, three of which are dry. With a cumulative $24 million private investment and nearly 100 jobs, both poultry companies, located along an un-served 10-mile stretch of Hwy 29, are without fire protection and must solely rely on private wells for water. Over the past several years, both companies have had to rotate water supplies to sustain operations. Improvements include an interconnection between Hart County’s Water Authority and the City of Royston.  Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $4,988,300

The AIRGeorgia Fund is intended to accelerate the completion of critical airport infrastructure improvements. Today’s AIRGeorgia award of $651,835 is leveraged against more than $1.8 million in total project costs. City of Reidsville – Level I Airport – Runway Extension AIRGeorgia grant funds will be used to assist with improvements to Swinton Smith Field at Reidsville Municipal Airport that includes an extension of the 3,802 ft runway to 5,000 ft, a taxiway addition and installation of aviation lighting. The Airport is located in Tattnall County in SE Georgia. Situated on 297.83 acres, this Level I airport is owned by the Reidsville Airport Authority and is operated by the City of Reidsville. The request for AIRGeorgia assistance equals 36% of the $1,820,884 total project cost. Project partners include the City, Airport Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, Georgia Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, and the engineering firm of Wilbur Smith Associates. Benefits of the airport improvements will include improved safety as well as increased economic activity. In addition, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) has two helicopters that are permanently stationed at the airport. Plans are underway to add a new hangar and to add a fixed-wing aircraft to the fleet of the GSP aircraft.  AIRGeorgia Grant Award: $651,835 / Total Project Cost: $1,810,884

The OneGeorgia Authority was created utilizing one-third of the state’s tobacco settlement to assist the state’s most economically challenged areas. The OneGeorgia Authority is expected to receive about $1.6 billion over the 25-year term of the settlement. From the Authority’s inception to-date, OneGeorgia has made 458 awards totaling $251 million leveraged against total project investment of $5 billion, a return on investment of 20:1. Impacting 132 economically-depressed counties, more than 45,000 jobs have been retained and created. ###

OneGeorgia Board Meeting Scheduled

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Monday,December 7th, 3:30 p.m.

Building D, Southwest Georgia Technical College

15689 US Highway 19N

Thomasville, Georgia

Application Requirements for Equity Grants

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

1. All applications must address local government finances and the ability or inability to accept funding alternatives. The applications will need to provide written evidence that GEFA, USDA and/or DOT were pursued as OneGeorgia should be the funding of last resort.

2. Please also note that projects with written support from two or more bordering and directly eligible county governments can receive up to $500,000.

3. Applications must include commitment letters covering all sources of funding including cost overruns.

Please call with any questions you may have before you submit your application.

Request for Proposal - Entrepreneur/Small Business Outreach Services

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Please see attached pdf version of RFP – Entrepreneur/Small Business Outreach Services

NTIA AND RUS RELEASE NOFA FOR BROADBAND FUNDS UNDER ARRA

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) jointly issued the first Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for broadband initiatives funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This NOFA makes available approximately $4 billion of the $7.2 billion in broadband funding under ARRA: $2.4 billion is allocated to RUS’ Broadband Initiatives Program ($1.2B for Last Mile projects, $800M for Middle Mile projects, and $325M for a national reserve), and $1.4 billion is allocated to NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program ($1.2B for broadband infrastructure, $50M for public computing centers, $150M for sustainable broadband adoption and $200M for a national reserve). A separate NOFA for the $350 million allocated to the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program is forthcoming. The NOFA defines key terms and outlines the application process, including the role each governor’s office may take by providing NTIA a list of recommended BTOP projects. Applications are due by August 14, 2009, and award announcements will be made on or about November 7, 2009. The NOFA is available at broadbandusa.

Governor Perdue Announces OneGeorgia Awards

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Governor Perdue Announces $16.2 million in OneGeorgia Awards

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

BRUNSWICK, GA –Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board met today at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick and approved grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs. These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, supporting the retention of existing jobs and enhancing regional competitiveness through capacity-building projects. These projects, along with their respective local leadership representatives, were recognized at the OneGeorgia board meeting.

Company officials and local leaders associated with the most recent EDGE and SILF awards were recognized at today’s meeting. The seven EDGE awards, totaling $14,050,000, are leveraged against approximately $712 million in total project costs and are projected to create over 2,243 jobs within the next three years.

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority/Kumho Tire Georgia, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation and infrastructure costs to support the location of Kumho Tire Georgia, Inc. (KTG), a Korean-based tire manufacturer, to Macon. The Company plans to construct a 1.3 million square-foot facility on a 130.6-acre site in the Sofkee Industrial Park. KTG is a subsidiary of Kumho Tire Company, Inc. KT) which was founded in 1960 and is the eleventh largest tire manufacturer in the world. With manufacturing facilities in Korea, China and Vietnam, this will be Kumho’s ninth facility. In addition, this facility will be first one in North America. KT manufactures tires for passenger cars, SUV’s, light trucks, commercial trucks and formula 3 competition racing cars. Customers include Ford, General Motors and Porsche. Construction of the facility is underway with production scheduled to start in late 2009.  EDGE Award: $3,800,000 / Total Project Cost: $260,533,629  450 new jobs in three years

Development Authority of LaGrange / Sewon America, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used for building construction to support the location of Sewon America, Inc. (SAI), a Korean auto supplier, to LaGrange, Troup County. SAI plans to construct a 420,000 square-foot facility on 62.47 acres in the Callaway South Industrial Park, which is located near the KIA facility. Through its first venture in the United States, the Company will manufacture frame stampings and major chassis components, and SAI will be the largest supplier to KIA. SAI is a subsidiary of Sewon Precision Industry Co., LTD. (SPI) which was established in 1989. SPI is a Tier-One automotive supplier, primarily to KIA, and has plants in Korea and China.  EDGE Award: $5,000,000 / Total Project Cost: $161,326,852  550 new jobs in two years

Development Authority of Bryan County / Dicon Technologies, LLC EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation and SILF funds will be used to purchase equipment in support of the location of Dicon Technologies, LLC (DT) to Bryan County. The Company manufactures a variety of products in the areas of wound-care, cosmetics, diabetic care, foot care and footwear that are in large part based upon Dicon’s proprietary foam-related technologies. DT plans to construct a 30,000 square-foot facility on 5.93 acres in the Interstate Centre Industrial Park. The new facility will contain the Company’s manufacturing, research and development functions that are currently located in China. Founded in 1980, Dicon has marketable and diverse products, as well as patents and patents-pending. The Company’s customers in the footwear industry include Johnston & Murphy, Kenneth Cole, Foot Joy and Born; in the skin care industry customers include Walgreens, CVS, Sears/Kmart, Publix, Mary Kay and Big Lots.  EDGE Award of $100,000 & $525,000 SILF AWARD / Total Project Cost: $3,380,000  55 new jobs in two years

Development Authority of Harris County / Daehan Solution Georgia, LLC EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with building construction to support the location of Daehan Solution Georgia, LLC (DSG), who will manufacture interior automotive components as a Tier 1 supplier to KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. The Company plans to construct a 160,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on 30 acres in the Northwest Harris Business Park in West Point, which is located less than six miles from the KIA facility. Daesol America Corporation (DAC), the US holding company for Daehan Solutions Company Ltd. (DSC), is a leading manufacturer of plastic automotive components and Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) engineering technology. DSC, the parent company, is a South Korean-based company whose major customers include KIA, Hyundai, General Motors, Sangyong Motors and GM Daewoo. With a history dating back to 1983, DSC has a total of seven plants; five in Korea, one in China and the other in Alabama, which was its first in North America.  EDGE Award: $1,200,000 / Total Project Cost: $36,927,000  300 new jobs in two years

Effingham County Industrial Development Authority / EFACEC Power Transformers, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the location of a power transformer manufacturing facility for EFACEC Power Transformers, Inc. (EFACEC), a Portuguese manufacturer of electrical transformers used in the market of power generation, transmission and distribution. Based in Porto, Portugal and founded in 1948, EFACEC plans to construct a 600,000 square-foot facility on 55.35 acres in the Effingham County Industrial Park located in Rincon. This will be its first U.S. based manufacturing plant. Although EFACEC is primarily an energy company, 46 percent of its sales come from energy products and solutions. The Company has many more areas of competency which include energy solutions to specific industries and buildings, transportation, environmental, telecommunications, maintenance services and logistics.  EDGE Award: $2,950,000 / Total Project Cost: $68,384,097  283 new jobs in two years

Development Authority of LaGrange / Sejong Georgia, LLC EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the location of an auto supply manufacturing facility for Sejong Georgia, LLC (SGL), a newly created company that will manufacture mufflers and exhaust systems for the KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia facility currently under construction in West Point, Georgia. SGL plans to make improvements to the 108,000 square-foot facility formerly owned by Federal Mogul and located in close proximity to the KIA plant. SGL is a subsidiary of Sejong Industrial Co. Ltd. (SJC), a South Korean-based company that was founded in 1976. SJC has plants throughout the world including South Korea, China, Russia and several sites in Europe. The company also operates a facility in Fort Deposit, Alabama that manufactures the same products for Hyundai. The LaGrange, Georgia plant will be the Company’s third facility in the U.S. when it opens.  EDGE Award: $400,000 / Total Project Cost: $30,702,834  250 new jobs in two years

West Point Development Authority / Powertech America, Inc. EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the location of an auto supply manufacturing facility for Powertech America, Inc. (PAI). PAI is a newly created company that will manufacture four, five and six speed automatic transmissions for the KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia facility currently under construction in West Point, Georgia, as well as Hyundai Mobis. The Company plans to construct a 211,444 square-foot facility on 42 acres of the KIA pad. PAI is a subsidiary of Hyundai Powertech (HP), established in Korea in 2001, which has supplied transmissions to KIA for the last seven years. This will be HP’s first transmission operation in the U.S.  EDGE Award: $600,000 / Total Project Cost: $150,680,000  355 new jobs in two years The Equity Fund is designed to assist communities and regions in building the necessary infrastructure to support economic development. The program’s flexibility also provides financial assistance to enhance publicly-owned tourism initiatives, workforce development opportunities and downtown revitalization projects. In addition, loan funds are available through the Equity Revolving Loan Fund to assist small business owners with business growth and expansion opportunities. City of Dublin and County of Laurens Development Authority – Road Construction The Equity grant will be used for the construction of a truck entrance and a 3,900 foot industrial access road at their 255-acre Industrial Park along Interstate 16 in Laurens County. The rural city of Dublin and Laurens County are located in middle Georgia halfway between Atlanta and Savannah. Laurens County is a hub for an 11-county area that relies on it for employment, educational, medical, recreational, cultural and shopping opportunities. The industrial park has all utilities in place; however, the current access road is insufficient to show the entire site to potential prospects. The proposed road, which will allow access and usage to the entire site, has been fully engineered to industrial standards, and can be constructed immediately upon bidding the project. Applicant has ownership of the land and has designed the site for maximum benefit to the community and region. The site will be vital for returning jobs lost in Middle Georgia, and the access road will aide in the recruitment of new companies to the region.  Equity Grant Award: $488,547 / Total Project Cost: $3,569,473

Worth County Economic Development Authority – Land Acquisition The Equity grant will be used to assist with the acquisition of 205 acres of land adjoining Worth County South Industrial Park in Sylvester to expand the Park. Worth County (WC) is located in SW Georgia and bordered by 7 counties with 62% of its workforce commuting to another county to work each day. Current unemployment rate is 8% and expected to rise due to the recent devastating news that Cooper Tire will close its Albany facility, resulting in the loss of 2,100 jobs. This will have an adverse impact on WC who has 180 residents employed by Cooper Tire. WC’s two industrial parks are at capacity and a lack of suitable industrial sites has been recognized by the EDA as a limiting factor to its economic development. Availability of sites located on a 4-lane (US Hwy 82) in close proximity to interstate routes (85, 75, and 95) and with utilities available is a tool that will enable the EDA to market the county more effectively. The selected site also has rail abutting its south border. Having regional significance, commissioners in Lee, Colquitt and Mitchell Counties have endorsed this application.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $2,045,900

Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority– Sewer The Equity grant will be used to assist with sewer infrastructure improvements along Highway 29, south of Danielsville and north of Athens-Clarke County, to encourage growth and job opportunity for Madison and surrounding counties. The Highway 29 corridor has high commuter traffic each day as over 70% of its population commutes out of the county to work. The proposed improvements would open up the area for future commercial development. Many of the goods and services that are purchased out of the county can then be purchased inside the county. It will also allow for the expansion of already existing businesses in the area. The proposed infrastructure will immediately support the expansion of Ingles, Inc., whose current 60,000 square foot facility on Hwy 29 uses a septic tank system can no longer handle its wastewater needs. The proposed improvements will include a new Wastewater Treatment Facility with 100,000 GPD capacity, a pre-treatment plant, a pump station and 8” force main, to serve a new 80,000 square foot Ingles grocery store facility. The new Ingles’ facility will create 27 full-time jobs. Ingles is contributing $335,000 for the wastewater improvements.  Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $ 3,314,500

The AIRGeorgia Fund is intended to accelerate the completion of critical airport infrastructure improvements. Today’s AIRGeorgia award of $433,922 is leveraged against more than $2.5 million in total project costs. Telfair-Wheeler Airport Authority – Level I Airport – Runway Extension AIRGeorgia grant funds will be used to assist with improvements to Telfair-Wheeler Airport to extend the 4,030 ft runway to 5,001 ft (received ARRA/stimulus funds for this activity) and relocate an electric power transmission line (AIRGeorgia). Both Telfair and Wheeler counties connect to Georgia Ports via highway and rail but airport upgrades are needed to compete in today’s highly competitive economic environment. The existing runway is inadequate and needs extending to serve corporate and twin engine aircraft. US Highways 341, 441, 280 converging in McRae provide economic potential to attract industry and tourists to the area. The counties house a state park, hunting reserves, wildlife management areas, an equestrian facility and motocross park as well as a world-class golf course. Husquavarna, Telfair’s largest employer with 1,400 employees, expressed a need for the airport expansion as has the Corrections Corp of America (CCA) who transports inmates to and from their Wheeler and Telfair facilities.  AIRGeorgia Grant Award: $433,922 / Total Project Cost: $2,515,932

Governor Perdue and the board recognized the most recent recipient of technology grants from the BRIDGE (Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia’s Economy) Fund. The award recipient is: Burke County (as lead applicant for Jefferson, Jenkins, Richmond and Washington Counties) BRIDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the cost to develop a feasibility/business case conducted by Key Bridges that will help the five-county area (Burke, Jefferson, Jenkins, Richmond and Washington) determine their local needs and opportunities for Broadband service. Specifically, Key Bridges will work with local stakeholders to articulate a vision, conduct a needs assessment, provide application identification/suggested solutions, determine a business case-driven total cost of ownership and produce a deployment and sustainability plan. If successful, a wireless Broadband network will allow businesses within the economically-distressed five-county region to better compete in the global marketplace. TPC is $50K with a Local commitment of $10K divided among the prospective counties.  BRIDGE Grant Award: $40,000 /Total Project Cost: $50,000

The board reviewed the latest ESB Loan Fund Guarantee recipients. The Entrepreneur-Small Business Loan Guarantee Program was created over two years ago to support the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses in less developed areas. The ESB Loan Guarantee Program is the Authority’s first public-private partnership, providing a shared risk with Georgia lending institutions for loans ranging from $35,000 to $250,000. Ghanchi & Dabhi Company, Inc., Turner County/PlantersFirst (Cordele) Ghanchi and Dabhi company, Inc. dba/Rebecca Food Mart is a convenience store located in Rebecca, Georgia. The business has been open for several years and is located in downtown Rebecca, a rural City with a population of 246 located in Turner County. Rebecca Food Mart’s products include groceries items, gas, money orders and lottery sales. Currently there is no other competition in this local market. The loan proceeds will be used to purchase the land and commercial building.  ESB Loan Guarantee Amount: $65,000

Jolie Day Spa, LLC, Dawson County/First Citizens Bank of Georgia (Dawsonville) Jolie Day Spa is a new upscale day spa located in Dawson County that offers a variety of relaxing and accommodating services. Services include various massages, facials, waxing and specialty manicures and pedicures. An exclusive line of retail spa and beauty products is also available. As the number of Atlanta immigrants grows, owners Nicole and Chad Wimpy realized a need for an upscale spa in the North Georgia Mountains. The Wimpy’s will partner with and be located near an already established and successful salon in Dawsonville, J. Thomas Salon. These two entities perfectly compliment one another offering services every client receives in one convenient location. The loan proceeds will be used for build out of space and start up expenses. The spa plans to employ at least 6 professional, licensed therapists, a spa coordinator and financial manager.  ESB Loan Guarantee Amount: $20,225

Diaco, LLC, Elbert County/Pinnacle Bank (Elberton) Diaco Innovations, Inc. dba/DIACO, LLC is an existing industrial sales company located in Elberton, GA. DIACO, LLC specializes in diamond tools and machinery for the granite countertop industry, construction industry, and stone industry. Services include the sales and installation of granite countertop fabrication tools, large CNC machinery for the granite and stone industry, and complete line of construction and concrete cutting and drilling equipment. They also carry a complete line of Parts & Accessories for all the tools and machinery sold. The loan proceeds will be used to purchase several pieces of new equipment.  ESB Loan Guarantee Amount: $29,300  The board received a final report from Ken Stewart, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, on the department’s community-based Entrepreneur Friendly program. To-date, 129 communities have earned this designation. Once a community had earned the Entrepreneur Friendly designation, it had the opportunity to apply for a OneGeorgia-funded entrepreneur and small business implementation grant of up to $25,000. At today’s meeting, grants from the Entrepreneur Friendly Implementation Fund (EFIF) were awarded to: Banks County $5,000; Bleckley County $5,000; Carroll County $6,500; Henry County $5,900; Irwin County $24,970; Laurens County $2,500; Lowndes County $25,000; Miller County $5,000; Oconee County $4,250, Putnam County $5,000, Screven County $5,000, Thomas County $5,000, Upson County $25,000, Washington County $5,000, Wayne County $6,500 and White County $5,000. Governor Perdue and the board also approved two research grants provided under the Centers of Innovation program. The Centers of Innovation program, funded by the OneGeorgia Authority, accelerates growth in Georgia’s Strategic Industries by integrating industry expertise, R&D innovation & state resources. Research grants are available to fuel applied research and development to assist companies in bringing new products and services on-line with the ultimate goal of diversifying rural Georgia’s economy through new jobs and capital investment. Recipient: Middle Georgia College – Industry partner: Aerotonomy, Inc. – $20,000 Innovation Center – Aerospace Project Description: “Extreme” Short Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial System Prototype Build full-scale UAS test vehicle to Aerotonomy’s specifications for NASA using proprietary “Extreme” Short Take-Off and Landing (ESTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle propulsion concept. With success, the company will continue to manufacture prototypes in Eastman, iterate designs with NASA, US Government and other international customers.

Recipient: Georgia Institute of Technology – Moto America, Inc. – $10,000 Innovation Center – Manufacturing Project Description: Gashopper, 3-Wheeled Ultra-Light Highly efficient Commuter Vehicle To develop the first high-fuel mileage and/or electric easily affordable commuter vehicle for mainstream consumers. The OneGeorgia Authority was created utilizing one-third of the state’s tobacco settlement to assist the state’s most economically challenged areas. The OneGeorgia Authority is expected to receive about $1.6 billion over the 25-year term of the settlement. ###

ARRA EXPANSION OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

info@onegeorgia.org (OneGeorgia Authority) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

By now, I hope that you are aware that through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, $7.2 billion has been allocated for the expansion of broadband infrastructure and related programs. As with OneGeorgia’s BRIDGE Fund, the Act does require the local community or applicant to raise 20% of funding to match 80% of project funding from NTIA. Please note that OneGeorgia’s BRIDGE Fund currently has funds available and could potentially provide a portion of that 20% match. Even though the specific details, forms and administrative procedures for securing funding have not been finalized, the need from you must be articulated quickly.

The Georgia Technology Authority will coordinate the state’s requests for broadband funds. I will serve as a co-chair in assisting the state to prioritize broadband funding requests.

IMPORTANT: We must standardize our approach to project requests to streamline our response to the federal government. We are asking that Round One stimulus projects be registered online at www.georgiabroadband.net by May 1, 2009. Projects may be edited and updated at any time. Your project can only be viewed in a summarized format by the general public.

We understand that the federal government contemplates awarding funds over three rounds. We encourage any party considering applying for stimulus funds to register as quickly as possible. We also emphasize the importance of focusing on high impact, clearly defined, long term sustainable projects that can reasonably be completed in twelve to twenty-four months.

For those who are not able to submit a clearly defined project in this short of a time frame, you may wish to begin preparations or studies in the near future with a target of participating in future rounds of funding. While dates for those rounds are currently undefined, we believe any stimulus participants in the future rounds should scope their projects as quickly as possible and adhere to all published guidelines and requirements.

Our initial focus is to build an inventory and an understanding of the projects that might be eligible for stimulus funds. Please continue to check the site for updates as the federal rules and regulations are posted. Through our collaborative efforts we will help secure Georgia’s future quality of life and economic development.

Below is additional information that might be of help to you in determining how and when to apply.

Please contact OneGeorgia with your questions and concerns as to how this may affect your communities, and as we learn the details involved we will pass the information along to you. And as always, please continue to refer to our website, www.onegeorgia.org, for full details of each of our programs along with applications for each. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future, Good luck!!

Nancy C. Cobb, CEcD Executive Director

Allocation of Funds: The $7.2 billion for broadband will be divided between the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”). NTIA will receive $4.7 billion for its Technology Opportunities Program, and RUS will receive $2.5 billion for broadband loan and grant programs. The $4.7 billion to be distributed through NTIA includes:
- $200 million for grants to expand access to public computers at institutions such as colleges and public libraries.
- $250 million for programs that “encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.”
- $350 million for nationwide broadband mapping. Some of this money may be transferred to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) for it to develop a national broadband plan or otherwise fulfill its responsibilities under this Act.
- $10 million for audits and oversight.
NTIA will receive an additional $650 million for continuing DTV transition outreach and converter box coupons. Some of these funds may also be transferred to the FCC in order to assist in these efforts.
The $2.5 billion to be distributed through RUS includes funding for loans, grants and grant guarantees. Priorities for RUS funding include:
- Broadband projects which will “deliver end users a choice of more than one service provider” in underserved areas.
- Broadband projects that will provide service to the highest proportion of residents in unserved areas.
- Applicants who are borrowers or former borrowers under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
- Applicants who demonstrate that their projects will be fully funded and can be completed with federal funding.
- Projects that can begin promptly upon approval.
In order to ensure there are no overlapping disbursements, no part of a RUS funded project may also receive funding under any NTIA program, and vice versa.
Summary of NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
1. Program Creation and Purpose(s) NTIA’s Assistant Secretary will work with the FCC to establish a national broadband service development and expansion program. NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program is designed to serve several purposes including:
  - providing access to broadband to all unserved areas and improved access in underserved areas of the United States;
  - providing broadband education (awareness, training, access, equipment, etc.) to schools, higher education institutions, libraries, healthcare providers, organizations and agencies that provide outreach, access and education, to low-income, unemployed and elderly consumers;
  - improving access to and use of broadband by public safety agencies; and
  - increasing the demand for broadband, economic growth and job creation.
  The Assistant Secretary is to establish and implement grant programs as quickly as possible, and to make grants no later then September 30, 2010. NTIA may consult with States in order to identify unserved and underserved areas that would benefit from grant funds. The Assistant Secretary must obtain assurances from grantees that all projects will be substantially completed in accordance with their respective deadlines – not to exceed two years following an award – and grantees must file a report every ninety days on the status of such programs. Reports are to be filed with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation.
2. Eligibility for Grants and Application Requirements An applicant may be a State (or political subdivision), the District of Columbia, a territory, a municipality., an Indian Tribe or a native Hawaiian organization, a nonprofit, a corporation, an institution or association, or any other entity the Assistant Secretary finds (by rule) to be in the public interest.
  Applicants must (i) provide a detailed explanation of how any funds received will be used, (ii) prove that such funds will be used in an efficient and expeditious manner, (iii) show how such a project would not have been possible to implement without such federal grant, (iv) demonstrate they are capable of carrying out the project in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, (v) disclose amounts and source of any other federal or state funding it receives or has applied for, and (vi) provide any assurances and follow any procedures that the Assistant Secretary may require in order to ensure grant funds are used accordingly.
  Importantly, applicants must also demonstrate that they can raise 20% of funding for a project from other sources to match 80% of project funding from NTIA. In some circumstances, however, this requirement may be waived based upon the demonstration of financial need.
3. Use of Grants Grants may be used to (i) purchase equipment, instruments, hardware and software for broadband services, (ii) construct and deploy broadband networks, (iii) ensure access to broadband service by community anchor institutions, (iv) ensure that low-income, unemployed and elderly consumers have access to broadband for educational and employment opportunities, (iv) construct and deploy broadband facilities that improve public safety communications, and (v) undertake any other projects found to be consistent with the purpose of the program.
4. Awarding of Grants and Post-Grant Obligations To the extent possible, NTIA should award at least one grant to each state. NTIA will consider if such approval will increase affordability and subscribership to broadband in the area at the greatest speed possible, if it will enhance health care delivery or education, if it will result in unjust enrichment and whether the applicant is a socially or economically disadvantaged small business. Any entity that receives a grant will be required to file quarterly reports (available to the public) on the use of such grants. NTIA may impose additional reporting requirements on recipients at any time in the future. Any entity whose performance is insufficient, or who engages in wasteful or fraudulent spending of the grant, will lose their award.
5. Other NTIA Requirements The Assistant Secretary will establish “appropriate mechanisms” to ensure appropriate use of and compliance in connection with the grants. Additionally, it must create and maintain a fully searchable Internet database that will be free to the public. This database will contain a description of each applicant, their application status, which applicants receive funds, what they are receiving funds for, their quarterly reports and any other pertinent information.
  Within one year after the Act’s enactment, NTIA must submit a status report (with improvement suggestions) to both the Committee on Energy & Commerce of the House, and the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation of the Senate.
  Within two years after the Act’s enactment, NTIA is to develop and maintain a nationwide inventory map of existing broadband service capability and availability in the U.S., and make it available on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s website in an interactive, searchable form.