PRESS RELEASE
July 31, 2025

CONTACT:
Joselyn Butler 404-651-7774

Governor Roy Barnes today announced almost $5 million in grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority to create jobs and build economic development capacity in twelve Georgia communities. "These projects leverage over $70 million in local, state and private investment," said the Governor, who chairs the Authority. "From commercializing agricultural biotechnology research to developing rural Georgia's tourism capacity, these awards demonstrate the flexibility of the Authority's programs in enabling communities' economic development strategies."

The awards were made as a result of the second round of the OneGeorgia Equity fund competition. The Equity fund was designed to help communities and regions build the necessary infrastructure for economic development. Project awards are capped at $500,000 each and are targeted to Tier 1 and Tier 2 communities.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality of these projects and what they will mean to these deserving communities," said Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the Authority. These awards will go a long way in helping rural Georgians create jobs and increase their competitiveness in the economic development arena."

Equity award recipients being announced today include:

Tift County Development Authority - $500,000 grant for the construction of the Technology Development Center, a state-of-the-art incubator facility adjacent to the existing National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL). The Center will incubate new companies working to commercialize agricultural and biotechnology research conducted at NESPAL, diversifying the regional economy and projecting 24 jobs per new graduating company.

Hart County and the Joint Development Authority of Hart, Franklin, and Stephens Counties - $ 500,000 grant for the development of the Gateway Regional Industrial Park, a 150-acre industrial park to be built at the intersection of Interstate 85 and Ga. 77. The park will target high-tech companies, enhancing the competitiveness of the region and diversifying the economy.

Treutlen County Development Authority - $263,106 grant for the purchase of equipment to be leased to Soperton Diversified Industries, a division of Georgia Easter Seals, Inc., to operate a shirt manufacturing plant, fulfilling a three-year contract with the U.S. Navy and providing 65 new jobs for persons with disabilities in a multi-county area.

City of Americus - $331,004 grant for replacement of storm sewers, street improvements, new streetlights, sidewalks and underground placement of power lines surrounding the Habitat for Humanity's future "Global Village and Museum", creating 21 direct jobs, 177 indirect jobs and catalyzing the southwest Georgia regional tourism effort.

Heard County Water Authority - $500,000 grant for construction of a secondary water system and expansion/upgrade of the existing treatment facility to provide capacity for existing industry expansion, two large electric power-generating companies and a growing regional area, creating 230 jobs.

City of Blakely - $67,600 grant for infrastructure improvements to serve a new aviation industry located at the Early County airport, creating 25 jobs and expanding the capacity for future growth.

Warren County - $467,356 grant for needed water capacity for an existing foundry, saving 380 jobs, allowing for future expansion and increasing the region's competitiveness for industrial recruitment.

City of Reidsville - $431,543 grant for sewer and drainage improvements to encourage medical and commercial development to occur at and around the newly re-opened hospital, creating an estimated 100 new jobs.

Lincoln County Development Authority - $495,600 grant for architectural and engineering design fees, site engineering, surveying, and other development costs for a proposed conference center project on Clarks Hill lake, projecting the creation of 250 jobs and over $28 million in visitor expenditures.

City of Vidalia - $500,000 grant for the construction of a new airport terminal, enhancing the competitiveness of the region in the recruitment of business and industrial prospects at this Southeast Georgia regional hub.

City of Dublin - $440,400 grant for water and sewer infrastructure for Phase II of a 96-acre industrial park targeted for small to medium size industries requiring close access to the Dublin airport at US Hwy 80, enhancing the marketability of the region.

City of Vienna - $471,285 grant and loan for water, sewer and gas infrastructure to develop an 86-acre site along I-75 for a proposed travel plaza and other commercial and industrial development, creating 50-100 direct jobs.