Gov. Nathan Deal announced that 60 Georgia communities will receive a total of more than $40 million in federal assistance to help grow their local economies. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated the funding to Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant program, which is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
 
“Strong and prosperous communities enhance the quality of life for citizens and generate economic development opportunities across the state,” said Deal. “The CDBG program enables cities and counties to direct federal funding to address critical community needs and revitalize the local economies that need it most. By investing in smaller cities and rural areas, we are preparing an even brighter future for all of Georgia, maximizing opportunities for citizens and further solidifying Georgia’s position as the No. 1 state in the nation for business.”
 
Of this year’s grant awards, $38.2 million will go to infrastructure projects such as neighborhood revitalization, construction of community facilities, and water, sewer, drainage or street improvements. An additional $2.8 million will be disbursed through the Employment Incentive Program and the Redevelopment Fund, which together are projected to create 345 new jobs and generate $50.2 million in additional private investment.
 
“CDBG is a vital community development tool for rural Georgia,” said DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn. “This program’s impact can be felt in every corner of our state.”
 
The CDBG program is available to eligible local governments through a competitive grant program. Each year, CDBG annually supports community projects that create jobs and assist citizens with low and moderate incomes.
 
Since 2011, the CDBG program has provided the resources for critical water and sewer improvements to serve more than 125,000 residents in rural areas. The program has also supported the construction or enhancement of community facilities that serve more than 12,000 youth and senior citizens. Through EIP, CDBG has helped to create more than 5,200 new jobs.