Sen. Loeffler Announces $5.7M for Rural Georgia Communities

Staff Report

Friday, November 6th, 2020

U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) announced that rural Georgia communities would receive a total of $5.7 million in grants and loans from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to purchase public safety vehicles and assist Georgia homeowners and renters.

“Georgians in our rural communities face unique challenges,” Loeffler said. “These grants and loans will replace outdated vehicles to help public safety officials respond to emergencies more quickly and make necessary repairs for low-income Georgians to ensure they have a safe place to call home.”

Here is a list of the grants and loans:

  • The city of Eastman will receive a USDA loan of $75,700 plus a USDA grant of $50,000 to purchase two law enforcement vehicles;

  • The city of White will receive a USDA loan of $91,000 plus a USDA grant of $50,000 to purchase two patrol cars and a truck for the water department;

  • The city of Allentown will receive a USDA loan of $91,000 plus a USDA grant of $50,000 to purchase a rescue truck for the fire department;

  • Phoenix 42 Foundation, a non-profit in Snellville, will receive a USDA grant of $110,000 to repairs to rentals for low-income residents;

  • Southwest Georgia Community Action, a Moultrie non-profit, will receive a USDA grant of $116,172 to make repairs at the homes of low-income Georgians;

  • New Foundations, a Calhoun non-profit, will receive a USDA grant of $129,966 to make weatherization and accessibility repairs at nine homes;

  • Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, based in Camilla, will receive a USDA grant of $100,000 to rehabilitate homes for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners;

  • Action Pact, based in Waycross, will receive $116,172 from USDA plus another $416,404 from the U.S. Department of Energy to complete repairs for low-income homeowners in 18 southeast Georgia counties;

  • Lake Oconee Academy Foundation, Inc., an education nonprofit based in Greensboro, will receive a USDA loan of $3.8 million to build a fine arts center for the school and community;

  • The Wilcox County Board of Commissioners, based in Rochelle, will receive a USDA grant of $36,800 to purchase a tractor for the county road department;

  • The city of Glennville will receive a USDA loan of $88,400 and a USDA grant of $15,600 to purchase two law enforcement vehicles for the city; and

  • Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Inc., a nonprofit based in Blakely, will receive a USDA grant of $250,000 to help two local authorities that preserve and maintain low-income housing in 15 rural counties.