OneGeorgia Equity Fund Round 2
Application Descriptions

The OneGeorgia Authority received 36 applications in its second round of Equity competition requesting over $15 million in funding for projects totaling over $300 million in public and private investment. The following short descriptions were derived from applicant project summaries. Awards for this Equity round will be made July 31, 2001.

City of Albany $496,000
The City of Albany requests Equity funding for a workforce-training program targeting women in each of the 11 Tier 1 counties in Region 10. The proposed project would assess the employability of up to 1100 women. From the initial pool of 1100 women, 550 will be selected for instruction in reading, mathematics, work ethics, work behavior, as well as mentoring and informal counseling from professional women in Southwest Georgia. The City of Albany expects that approximately 550 women will be employed as a result of the project.
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    		• $496,000 requested for instruction, learning materials, childcare, transportation, and equipment for disadvantaged women's workforce training program.
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    		• $896,000 Total project cost. 

    Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority $35,000
    The Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority requests Equity funding for a Global Capacity Audit that will help establish the infrastructure to support international trade and investment. The proposed project will gather information, evaluate collected data, implement short term goals, and identify funding to implement a long-term goal of sustained international infrastructure on a local level. The Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority expects that the project will expand existing industry, create quality employment opportunities, utilize technology, establish new industry, and create an international resource for the region.
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    		•  $35,000 requested for consultation and research as part of a Global Capacity Audit.
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    		•  $72,200 Total project cost. 
    City of Americus $331,004
    The City of Americus requests Equity funding for physical improvements to the area surrounding the future "Global Village and Museum." The proposed project will include the widening of a street leading to the parking lot of the Global Village, replacing existing storm sewers, resurfacing two major streets adjacent to the Global Village, placing electrical power lines underground, installing new streetlights, and constructing new sidewalks. The project will help to complete construction on the Global Village, which is expected to create 21 new jobs.
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    		•  $331,004 requested for replacement of storm sewers, street improvements, new streetlights, new sidewalks, and underground placement of power lines in support of Global Village and Museum.
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    		•  $6,870,718 Total project cost. 
    City of Augusta $500,000
    The City of Augusta requests Equity funding for Construction of Augusta Common, a central downtown greenspace that will link the city's vibrant river front district with the city's main business district located on Broad Street. The proposed project would cover approximately three acres and be executed in two or possibly three phases. Phase I will represent a wide variety of improvements including landscaping, paved walkways, seating areas, statues, plaques, and lighting. Upon completion of all phases, the proposed project is expected to create more than 180 jobs, rehabilitate and establish retail/service businesses, as well as create a central gathering place to attract citizens and visitors.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for landscaping and improvements as part of Phase I of Augusta Commons.
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    		•  $3,454,894 Total project cost. 
    City of Barnesville $484,000
    The City of Barnesville requests Equity funding for water, sewer, and highway construction in support of an industrial site. The proposed project would support a manufacturing facility that will occupy approximately 208 acres of land. Activities include the installation of a water main, a sewage main, construction of a 100 foot paved entrance road and an acceleration/deceleration lane. The proposed project will assist in creating between 200 and 220 jobs, result in annual wages of approximately $50,000 per employee, as well as bolster long-term growth of educational support services, generate business for supporting vendors, and create opportunities for new business.
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    		•  $484,000 requested for water, sewer, and highway construction in support of 200-acre industrial site.
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    		•  $200,000,000 Total project cost. 
    City of Blakely $67,600
    The City requests Equity funding to extend a 6" water main from its existing system to the site of a new industry located at the airport and to install a new wastewater pumping station at the site. The industry, which recently located in Blakely, is projected to employ 25 people. 
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    		•  $67,600 requested for infrastructure improvements to serve new industry located at the Early County airport. 
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    		•  $525,600 Total project cost. 
    Butts County Industrial Authority $500,000
    The Butts County Industrial Authority requests Equity funding for sewer, street improvements, and public utilities in support of a distribution facility housing a food processor. The company will process and distribute pre-packaged salad products to area supermarkets. Upon its opening, the facility expects to employ 165 people.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for sewer, street improvements, and public utilities.
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    		•  $15,385,364 Total project cost. 
    City of Cairo $500,000
    The City requests Equity funding for the rehabilitation of a vacant food processing plant in downtown Cairo to serve as a regional community center. The proposed center will house a 750-seat performing arts theater designed to accommodate traveling reparatory companies, a 15,000 SF exhibit hall for trade shows, and 10,000 SF of meeting space for various community events. The 59,000 SF facility is within Cairo's historic district and was donated to the City. A local non-profit organization is responsible for fund raising, marketing and producing local theater. The applicant estimates that the center will employ 5-8 persons and will generate $10,00,000 in new spending and 269 new jobs in indirect benefits to the region.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for rehabilitation of the vacant building.
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    		•  $8,230,000 Total project cost.
    City of Cochran $106,800
    The City of Cochran requests Equity funding to extend water and sewer lines to the Cochran-Bleckley Industrial Park in order to serve an existing industry that employs 55 people, as well as a planned probation detention center that is expected to employ approximately 62 people. The Industrial Development Authority purchased 28 acres of land in the Park for donation to the detention center project.
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    		•  $106,800 requested for water and sewer improvements.
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    		•  $158,800 Total project cost.
    Decatur County $500,000
    Decatur County requests Equity funding to help construct a livestock arena and conference center. The proposed facility would have a show ring with bleachers for 800 spectators that can be converted into a conference and training center capable of accommodating 500 visitors. It is estimated that the average visitor will make an economic impact of approximately $126.46 per day.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for construction of livestock arena and conference center.
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    		•  $1,869,219 Total project cost.
    City of Douglas $400,000
    The City of Douglas requests Equity funding for Phase I construction of 3.03 miles of a planned 5.23 mile "multi-use greenway trail." The trail would be constructed on an abandoned railroad line that passes by residential communities, the downtown area, and two industrial parks. Upon completion, the project is expected to attract new businesses, as well as create trail-related jobs in the form of maps, equipment, food, and souvenirs.
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    		•  $400,000 requested for construction of "multi-use greenway trail".
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    		•  $1,250,000 Total project cost.
    City of Dublin and Laurens County $500,000
    The City of Dublin requests Equity funding for completion of Phase II of a project to extend water and sewer service to a 96-acre Airport Industrial Park. Phase II involves construction of gravity flow sewer lines, a pump station and force main to provide sewer service for the Industrial Park and the airport. The Park will provide space for small to medium size industries requiring close access to communications and high speed travel provided by the nearby Dublin Airport.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for pump station and force main for Phase II.
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    		•  $1,995,441 Total project cost.
    City of East Dublin $500,000
    The City of East Dublin requests Equity funding to construct water and sewer extensions to serve a planned diversion center. The water system improvements will include 8" water mains, fire hydrants and a booster pump station, while sewer needs include additional pump stations and 6" force mains from the facility to the City. The diversion facility is expected to employ 35 people.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for construction of water and sewer.
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    		•  $678,127 Total project cost.
    Forsyth Downtown Development Authority $500,000
    The Forsyth Downtown Development Authority, the City of Forsyth, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners together with a local non-profit theater group are seeking Equity funding to rehabilitate the historic Rose Theater located on the courthouse square in downtown Forsyth. The restoration will create 4 new jobs, provide a venue for the theater group's live productions, establish a public meeting space, and serve as a catalyst for rehabilitation and establishment of new businesses on the square.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to rehabilitate the Rose Theater.
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    		•  $1,081,000 Total project cost.
    City of Fort Valley $500,000
    The City requests an Equity loan to enable the Fort Valley Utility Commission to extend a new 6" gas pipeline along GA 49 to a route parallel to Interstate 75, near the City of Byron in Peach County. There are plans to add a new interchange on I-75 in the targeted area, as well as plans to widen State Route 96 that is at one end of the new gas pipeline. Currently, electricity is the only available power source in this area of the county.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to extend gas pipeline.
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    		•  $762,460 Total project cost.
    Hart County $500,000
    Hart County requests Equity funding as lead agency along with the Joint Development Authority of Hart, Franklin and Stephens Counties for assistance to purchase and develop Gateway Regional Industrial Park. This 150-acre industrial park will be built in Hart County at the intersection of Interstate 85 and Ga. 77. Upon completion, the project will target technology-based businesses, which on the average, offer wages significantly higher than most other jobs in the private sector.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to purchase and develop Gateway Regional Industrial Park.
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    		•  $3,511,250 Total project cost.
    City of Hawkinsville $500,000
    The City of Hawkinsville requests Equity funding to develop a 234-acre technology park, which will include a 100,000 square foot speculative building. Equity funds are requested for water and sewer improvements into the industrial park. The City has subdivided the 234-acre tract into 24 industrial sites, and the City will use the park to diversify the area's economic base by attracting technology-based companies.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to develop 234-acre technology park.
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    		•  $3,384,890 Total project cost.
    Heard County Water Authority $500,000
    The Authority requests Equity funding for the construction of a secondary withdrawal system and expansion/upgrade of the existing treatment facility for their water system in order to meet increased water demand from area growth and supply limitations during drought conditions. The system serves Heard County, the City of Ephesus and parts of Carroll County and Randolph County, AL.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for construction of a secondary water system and expansion/upgrade of existing treatment facility.
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    		•  $2,510,000 Total project cost.
    Irwin County $850,000
    Irwin County requests Equity funding to support a County Demonstration and Education Farm Project. The project includes construction of an educational center to house training seminars, on-site demonstrations and learning activities for students and members of the agricultural community. Professional services, equipment and supplies, livestock and tourism-related activities are also part of the project scope. The goals of this project include: educating students on careers in agriculture, training farm employees on agriculture-related topics, and assisting agricultural entrepreneurs regarding increasing productivity and jobs in the industry.
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    		•  $850,000 requested for land acquisition and construction costs.
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    		•  $1,665,000 Total project cost.
    City of Jesup $500,000
    As part of an ongoing downtown revitalization effort, the City requests Equity Funds to acquire and rehabilitate the historic Amtrak Passenger Train Station in downtown Jesup. The station provides passenger rail service through Amtrak's Silver Meteor service with two daily stops on its New York to Miami route. The Great American Station Foundation recently singled out the depot as one of the ten most endangered stations in America.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to acquire and rehabilitate historic Amtrak passenger station in downtown Jesup.
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    		•  $686,500 Total project cost.
    Lamar County Development Authority $458,750
    The Authority requests Equity funding to extend six and eight inch water mains into a low and moderate-income area where several private wells provide poor quality or no water. The project would serve approximately 77 households.
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    		•  $458,750 requested to cover all project costs, including engineering, inspection, and construction.
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    		•  $10,000,000 Total project cost.
    Lincoln County Development Authority $495,600
    The Authority requests Equity funding for schematic design work for the proposed Lincoln County Conference Center project. The proposed project would ultimately include a hotel, conference center, 18 hole golf course, and other amenities on approximately 200 acres. The Authority anticipates 200 new jobs and $28,512,000 in total annual visitor expenditures from this development.
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    		•  $495,600 requested for design, site engineering and surveying for conference center project.
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    		•  $1,553,500 Total cost of design services. $37,642,127 Total project cost.
    City of Lyons $500,000
    The City requests Equity funding to provide water and sewer services to the Corporate Center Industrial Park. The Park (a joint effort of the City, the County and the County Development Authority) is expected to help the area attract new industries to counteract the NAFTA related loss of jobs. It is projected that the project will create between 110 and 232 jobs, with an economic impact ranging between $9,632,299 and $23,486,152, depending on the type of industries that are located into the park.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to run water and sewer lines, construct an elevated storage tank and drill a 1,000 GPM deep well to serve the park.
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    		•  $3,452,335 Total project cost.
    McIntosh County Development Authority $500,000
    The Development Authority requests Equity funding to install water and sewer service lines to a site to be marketed for a warehouse and distribution facility. This is part of a strategy to capitalize on the County's location while minimizing potential environmental pressures in an ecologically sensitive area of the state. The Authority projects that between 132 and 191 jobs could be created, generating between $11,641,236 and $14,333,557 in economic impact.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for construction of water and sewer lines.
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    		•  $1,552,000 Total project cost.
    McIntosh County $275,239.43
    The County requests Equity funding on behalf of a non-profit involved in training, community service and housing development in an existing facility. The funding would be used by the non-profit to help defray some operating expenses (water/sewer bills, insurance and audit costs and staffing) as well as make improvements to the access road and parking lot. Finally, the funds would be used to buy 2 vans for transporting clients.
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    		•  $275,239.43 requested for operating expenses, 2 vans, a study and audit, access road and parking lot improvements.
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    		•  $731,739.88 Total project cost.
    City of Reidsville $453,813
    The City requests Equity funding to construct and reconstruct sewer and drainage infrastructure, including lines, force main and pump station. This would permit the lifting of a sewer moratorium and allow medical and commercial development to occur at and around the newly re-opened hospital, creating an estimated 100 new jobs.
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    		•  $453,813 requested for sewer and drainage improvements to support potential development.
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    		•  $5,198,813 Total project cost.
    Richmond County Development Authority $500,000
    The Authority requests Equity funding to construct a 150,000 square foot "technology spec building" in the Augusta Corporate Park. The building will attract employers interested in using the health care resources and medical research capabilities available in the area. The Authority projects that this facility will result in the creation of higher-level wages, investment and employment.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for spec building construction.
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    		•  $2,250,000 Total project cost.
    Southwest Georgia Joint Development Authority $286,490
    The Authority requests Equity funding to continue a pilot project, Project Updraft, whose goal is to improve worker readiness and facilitate industrial recruitment while encouraging post high school education. The project is a partnership between DEFACS, Ga. DOL, DTAE, the local public schools and local businesses, Chambers and Development Authorities.
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    		•  $287,490 requested for administrative and instructor salaries, recruitment of staff and clients, travel, supplies, printing and equipment for 2 years.
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    		•  $460,219 Total project cost.
    Stephens County Development Authority $493,000
    The Authority requests Equity funding to convert 4 abandoned farm buildings into ecologically sound and profitable aqua-culture grow-out facilities raising prawns, tilapia and perch. This project would demonstrate the economic feasibility of aqua-culture in Stephens County, potentially leading to the establishment of up to 40 such facilities, creating 100 jobs and generating at least $18 million a year in revenue for local farmers.
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    		•  $493,000 requested for building renovations, machinery, equipment, fish stock, food, electricity, greenhouse, full-time technician salary and travel costs.
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    		•  $1,193,000 Total project cost.
    Tift County Development Authority $500,000
    The Authority requests Equity funding for the construction of a state-of-the-art incubator facility (Technology Development Center) adjacent to the existing National Environmental Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL). The Center will incubate new companies working to commercialize agricultural and biotechnology research conducted at NESPAL. The Authority projects that 10 to 12 technology jobs and an equal number of support jobs will be added to the regional economy per graduating company.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for incubator facility construction adjacent to NESPAL.
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    		•  $1,030,150 Total project cost.
    Toombs County Development Authority $485,023
    The Authority requests Equity funding to install sewer, paving, irrigation and signage inside its 260 acre industrial park. The impact analysis projects that once occupied, the Park would create between 110 jobs with a $9,632,299 impact and 232 jobs with a $23,486,152, depending on the type of occupants.
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    		•  $485,023 requested for infrastructure improvements to ready the park for marketing.
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    		•  $2,961,975 Total project cost.
    Treutlen County Development Authority $236,106
    The Authority requests Equity funding to purchase equipment necessary to operate a shirt manufacturing plant that has a three-year contract with the U.S. Navy. The manufacturer is an experienced non-profit and at least 75% of the 65 new jobs will be filled by handicapped persons recruited from a six county area. The operation will be located in a building owned by the Authority and will have the opportunity to receive additional contracts from the Navy.
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    		•  $236,106 requested to purchase equipment necessary for the operation of a shirt manufacturing plant under contract to the U.S. Navy.
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    		•  $678, 831 Total project cost.
    City of Vidalia $500,000
    The City requests Equity funding to replace its airport's dilapidated Terminal with a new 4,000 square foot structure, including a conference room equipped for making presentations to prospects that would available for use regionally. The new facility will project a progressive image for the region and facilitate the recruitment of business and industrial prospects.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for new terminal construction at Vidalia Municipal Airport.
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    		•  $691,800 Total project cost.
    City of Vienna and Dooly County $471,285
    The City and County request Equity funding to install water, sewer and gas in an 86 acre site off I-75. Contingent upon availability of utilities, private developers will exercise their option to purchase the property and develop it as a "travel plaza" and for other commercial businesses such as fast food restaurants. 50 to 100 jobs will be created within 2 years, with more expected later.
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    		•  $471,285 requested to provide utilities to serve a proposed commercial development.
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    		•  $6,990,335 Total project cost.
    Warren County $500,000
    The County requests Equity funding to provide a dependable source of water to an existing foundry. The project will save 380 existing jobs, allow for future expansion and open up the area for other industrial recruitment.
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    		•  $500,000 requested to extend water lines to serve the existing foundry.
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    		•  $3,159,000 Total project cost.
    Wayne County & the City of Jesup $500,000
    The County and City request Equity funding to extend sewer lines to the industrial park to serve the new County jail and make additional industrial development possible. The availability of sewer would complete the provision of utilities to the area, making it easier to attract additional employers. The new jail will immediately add 8 to 10 new employees.
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    		•  $500,000 requested for extension of sewer lines to the industrial park to serve the new County jail and allow for future development.
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    		•  $3,999,573 Total project cost.