Governor Roy Barnes today announced almost $8 million in grant and loan awards from the OneGeorgia Authority to twenty of Georgia's most economically distressed communities to create jobs and implement economic development projects. "These twenty projects are representative of the strategic planning and collaborative efforts we are seeing throughout rural Georgia", the Governor said.

Governor Barnes, who chairs the Authority, pointed to the diversity of the projects as an example of the flexibility of the Authority's programs: "From capacity building and industrial development, tourism and downtown revitalization to innovative, new business opportunities for Georgia's farmers, I am confident these projects will create jobs and provide new economic opportunities."

Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the Authority, agrees that the investments we are making in rural Georgia today through these projects will return big dividends in the future. "I am proud of these communities' efforts; and I look forward to seeing the results of their hard work down the road."

The awards, round 1 of FY 2002 funding, are designed to assist communities and regions build the necessary infrastructure for economic development. Project awards are given through three competitive rounds annually and are capped at $500,000. Tier 1 and 2 communities and in some cases, Tier 3 communities, are eligible for Authority Assistance. The next Equity application deadline is January 28, 2002.

Equity award recipients being announced today include:

Wayne County and City of Jesup - $500,000 grant for sewer-line extension to rapidly developing commercial/industrial area. Sewer lines will serve two facilities presently under construction and provide capacity for future growth, including a potential 2002 industrial expansion. Project is expected to create 150 to 200 jobs.

Darien Downtown Development Authority - $500,000 loan for the purchase of .84-acre tract of riverfront property in Darien to enhance and stimulate downtown development. Property will be leased to private developers for construction of a restaurant and also provide improvements to insure public access to a new dock and boat ramp that will be constructed on the river. An estimated 149 jobs will be created.

City of Thomaston - $500,000 grant to purchase water supply and treatment facility of a closed textile plant, providing additional capacity for the City's current customers as well as providing for future growth. The purchase of this facility will retain 275 jobs at employee-owned Martha Mills.

Baldwin County and Putnam County - $500,000 grant to provide water to Putnam County by installing 9000 LF of 18" transmission and distribution water lines, connecting Baldwin County's water system to Putnam County. In addition to spurring private investment and job creation in the area, the project will enhance a unique collaborative effort by two counties to secure future economic development opportunities.

Washington County Development Authority - $255,424 loan for land acquisition and purchase of fixed assets for a start-up goat-processing plant to be operated as a New-Generation Cooperative with over 140 participating goat producers in 54 counties. UGA study estimates 19 jobs will be created, further diversifying the agricultural economy and creating new opportunities for Georgia's farmers.

City of Colquitt & Miller County - $500,000 grant for water and sewer utilities, rail spur and access road to serve 106-acre industrial park. Infrastructure will provide needed capacity for a manufacturer of geotextile and agricultural fabrics proposing to build a 20,000-SF building, creating 24 new fulltime jobs. Project will also enhance competiveness of the industrial park for future growth.

Turner County Development Authority -$70,250 grant to complete the restoration of the Turner County historic jail and creation of a Crime and Punishment Museum. Museum will serve as a drawing card for tourism in the community, spurring job creation through the opening of shops, restaurants and other downtown businesses.

Brantley County - $348,955 grant for infrastructure improvements to 55-acre industrial park on US 84, with close proximity to I-95 and Brunswick Port Terminals. Project will enhance marketability of the strategically-located industrial park and greatly increase the competiveness of the region. It will also support the growth of the Brunswick port and businesses that will take advantage of it.

City of Lyons - $500,000 grant for water and sewer infrastructure to serve 260-acre regional industrial park, Corporate Center, located on US Hwy 1. The availability of water and sewer to this area will enhance regional competiveness, spur future private investment and job creation.

Thomaston/Upson County Development Authority - $500,000 loan to assist with construction of an 81,000-SF industrial facility in 294-acre Central Georgia Business & Technology Park, strategically located near the airport.

City of Thomson & McDuffie County - $500,000 grant to assist with construction of a new airport terminal at the Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport, enhancing marketability of the tier one and two counties within the region. Airport's Fixed Based Operator projects the new terminal will create ten new jobs through increased demand for maintenance, sales and training services.

City of Camilla - $500,000 grant for construction of a 1,000,000-gallon elevated water tank and 12" water main, providing adequate water supply and fire protection to the growing poultry industry and other existing industries in the area while expanding water capacity for future growth.

Early County Development Authority - $266,048 loan for repairs and improvements to increase marketability and attract prospects to the 60,000-SF industrial facility located in Early County Industrial Park.

Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority - $20,000 grant for promotion of first annual Southern Wildlife & Outdoor Exposition scheduled for March 2002. Event seeks to develop ecological and agricultural-based tourism in southwest Georgia.

City of Pelham - $46,055 grant and $212,000 loan to assist with construction of a 30,000-SF vegetable-processing facility adjacent to State Farmers Market in Pelham. Project is expected to increase crop diversification and expand regional agricultural markets. This project will create 25 fulltime jobs and 25 seasonal jobs.

Bryan County - Pembroke Development Authority - $500,000 grant for construction of a roadway to industrial park located at I-16 and Hwy 280, with close proximity to I-95 and Georgia Ports Authority.

City of Roberta - $500,000 grant to drill a deep well, providing a reliable water source for existing business customers as well as enhancing competitiveness for future growth. The City is currently the only documented municipal well field in Georgia, relying on 18 shallow wells and one deep well for its' water supply.

City of Hawkinsville - $250,000 grant for construction and paving of a 250-space parking facility adjacent to 100,000-SF industrial building located within the 234-acre Technology Park. The Park is strategically located north of Hawkinsville, close to Robins Air Force Base.

Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority - $466,000 grant to assist with sitework and construction of a two-mile access road to 450-acre I-75 Industrial Park. Road improvements have the potential of increasing regional development opportunities by increasing marketability of the park and attracting new industrial prospects to the area.

City of Baxley and Appling County - $500,000 grant to extend sewer lines from City of Baxley to Appling County Industrial Park West. Project will retain 150 jobs and create 80 new jobs while enhancing regional competitiveness in Appling, Jeff Davis and Bacon counties.