Georgia – Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp has revealed the most recent beneficiaries of the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative grants, allocating more than $11 million to improve housing infrastructure in five communities in a move that seems to be a significant development for rural Georgia. Important for Georgia’s growing workforce, this program helps to build 542 housing units in Swainsboro, Augusta, Douglas, Hagan, and Cairo.
“Georgia is experiencing rapid growth in communities across the state, and with that growth comes a need to provide infrastructure for those filling the record-breaking number of jobs to live and work,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “This latest round of grants will ensure the people of Cairo, Hagan, Douglas, Augusta, and Swainsboro can live where they work and promote prosperity for these communities.”
Originally launched during the Governor’s 2023 State of the State Address, the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative has rapidly become a cornerstone of state efforts to address the pressing housing needs in Georgia’s smaller communities.
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Strong supporter has been the Georgia General Assembly, which has set aside $35.7 million to launch the project in the revised 2023 fiscal budget; more money will follow in later budgets, including $50 million for the amended 2024 fiscal year, $6 million for 2025, and another $28 million for the amended 2024 fiscal year.
Christopher Nunn, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, said he was excited about the program’s influence.
“Housing Georgia’s talented workforce is crucial for the state’s continued economic growth and prosperity,” Nunn said. “The OneGeorgia Authority remains committed to helping communities with a vision implement their intentional workforce housing solutions.”
Applicant communities had to show not only a need but also a close cooperation with local real estate developers in order to qualify for the funding. They had to use more money from other places to show a strong dedication to increasing cheap and accessible housing. All sponsored initiatives are under the OneGeorgia Authority’s supervision and must follow rigorous state laws and rules. These projects have a designated completion window, typically two years from the date of the grant award, to ensure timely benefits to the communities involved.
Awards
City of Cairo
The City of Cairo was awarded $2,500.000 in OneGeorgia grant funds to construct road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements to construct a total of 180 new, single-family housing units on 45 acres of land. The phased construction will begin with 60 single-family homes. The City of Cairo is contributing $227,078 to the total construction cost. The city has already approved the zoning requirements, and clearing has already started at the site.
City of Hagan
The City of Hagan received a grant of $1,074,711 to improve street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure to develop 29 single-family homes on six acres of land. The city is contributing $62,241 towards the project.
Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority
The Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority was awarded $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds to construct street, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure that will allow for the phased construction of 67 new housing units. The development is on a 36-acre tract. The first phase will allow for the construction of 40 single-family homes.
The Industrial Authority will contribute $83,750 towards the project, and the City of Douglas will contribute $288,813. The developer and Satilla EMC have also committed to funds to the total program cost.
Augusta Economic Development Authority
The Augusta Economic Development Authority sought $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds to construct road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements. The grant will support the development of 55 new, single-family housing units within the Southern Oaks Phase I development on 11.5 acres. Subsequent phases will allow for 104 units and some future commercial development.
Augusta Utilities is contributing $110,000, and the local development partner is also contributing to the total project cost. All required zoning for the housing development has already been approved.
City of Swainsboro
The City of Swainsboro received $2,500,000 in OneGeorgia funds for water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure improvements for development in the 23-acre Rolling Oaks Subdivision. The initial phase will see 24 units developed, and additional phases will allow for a total of 47 homes in the subdivision.
The city is contributing $102,000 towards the project, along with financial commitments from the developer.
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This strategic investment into workforce housing is poised to create substantial opportunities for rural Georgians, providing them with the foundation to build prosperous lives where they are employed.
