Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced grants for the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative on Wednesday.
In total, $6.5-million was granted for infrastructure development and supporting 198 housing units across three communities.
"Every Georgian deserves to be able to live in the community where they work, and today's announcement is just the latest reminder of our commitment to that idea," Kemp said. "I'm grateful for those in the legislature who helped us fund the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative to meet the needs of hardworking families across our state who are benefitting from the historic job growth we've attracted.”
The Joint Development Authority of Gilmer County and the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay were one of the recipients, being awarded $1.5-million to construct drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements.
Those improvements will allow the construction of 30 townhomes on just over three acres in Gilmer County.
The total project cost totals just over $2.3-million with the county and city governments contributing to the costs.
The partner developer, New Beginnings, will also contribute funding.
Zoning has already been approved for the development.
The City of Leesburg in Lee County and the City of Greensboro in Greene County were the other two governments awarded grant funding.
Leesburg in south Georgia got $2.5-million for water, sewer, drainage, and road infrastructure improvements to allow a 66-unit development enter its first phase. Later phases will allow for senior housing and commercial development.
Greensboro also got $2.5-million for water, sewer, roads, and drainage infrastructure improvements to allow a 32-home development enter its first phase. Later phases will bump that up to 70 housing units.
The Rural Workforce Housing Initiative was first announced in 2023. The state legislature approved $28-million in the fiscal year 2025 budget and $6-million in the FY2026 budget.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/6/1292118/governor-kemp-announces-grant-funding-for-housing-initiative-ellijay-to-receive-15-million