Governor Kemp announces second round of rural site development grants

Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced the second round of grants from the OneGeorgia Authority's Rural Site Development Initiative. This initiative aims to assist Georgia’s rural communities in developing industrial sites, thereby enhancing economic growth. Grant funds can be used for activities such as site studies and land grading.

"Georgia offers the workforce, connectivity, and business-friendly environment for companies to be successful in every corner of the state," said Governor Kemp. "The Rural Site Development Initiative helps us maintain that competitive edge over other states by empowering communities to build on that success and turn fields of dreams into sources of good-paying jobs for rural Georgians."

This round of grants totals $8 million, contributing to over $18 million distributed since the program began. Speaker Jon Burns highlighted the state's dedication to economic development: "Georgia's historic economic development success has not happened by accident. It is the direct result of our leadership's decades-long dedication to strengthening our workforce."

Lt. Governor Burt Jones emphasized the importance of a business-friendly environment in rural areas: “The approved funding will help current projects grow and future projects begin, while keeping Georgia’s business environment a model for the rest of the nation.”

Christopher Nunn, Commissioner at the Department of Community Affairs, noted, “Georgia’s economic development success is the result of strong leadership and strategic investment.” Pat Wilson, Commissioner at Georgia Department of Economic Development, added that GRAD-certified sites provide advantages for companies and enhance Georgia’s competitive site portfolio.

Several local development authorities received grants for specific projects across Georgia:

- The Development Authority of Milledgeville and Baldwin County was awarded $2 million.

- The Development Authority of Bulloch County received $1,518,920.

- Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority was granted $2 million.

- Worth County Economic Development Authority also received $2 million.

Additionally, GRAD-certification scholarships were awarded to various counties including Burke County ($35,278), Douglas-Coffee County ($75,000), Jefferson County ($75,000), McIntosh County ($192,745), Pulaski County-Hawkinsville ($31,455), and Washington-Wilkes Payroll Development Authority ($142,450).

The initiative requires compliance with state laws and regulations and mandates fund expenditure within two years from grant award date.