Announcements:

Governor Barnes Announces $40 Million In Grant Awards

Governor Roy Barnes announced more than $40 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards on August 17, 2001 to 87 Georgia communities. The grant program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and focuses improving living conditions and economic opportunities in cities and counties throughout the state.

"The Community Development Block Grant program is a great resource in that it provides flexible assistance to rural communities that are striving to help low and moderate-income citizens," Barnes said. "Through the awards given today, these communities will able to provide improved housing, increased assistance through public facilities, and enhanced job opportunities into areas that need it the most."

Projects that received grant awards included replacement of contaminated water wells and malfunctioning septic tanks, new public facilities to serve senior citizens, at-risk children, and the mentally and physically challenged, and replacement of sub-standard and dilapidated housing.

Also announced today were $2 million in Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) awards to 10 Georgia communities. Funds for this program are allocated through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and are intended to increase the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate-income persons.

Region 8 Awards (CDBG and CHIP):

Americus, City of	$ 368,063	Street and Drainage Improvements
Crisp County	$ 500,000	Sewer Improvements
Cuthbert, City of	$ 500,000	Housing Improvements
Desoto, City of	$ 440,863	Housing Improvements
Lumpkin, City of	$ 500,000	Water Improvements
Marshallville, City of	$ 500,000	Multi Purpose Center
Plains, City of	$ 500,000	Housing Improvements
Quitman County	$ 500,000	Multi Purpose Center
Schley County	$ 500,000	Water Improvements
Stewart County	$ 312,095	Street Improvements
Talbot County	$ 318,597	Senior Center
Taylor County	$ 496,148	Senior Center
Cuthbert, City of	$ 250,000	Housing Improvements

Assistance to Firefighters Program

WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the following Georgia fire departments would receive grants awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program. The Region 8 fire departments slated for grants are:

• $38,692 for wellness and fitness programs Pinehurst Fire Dept., Pinehurst, Ga.
• $137,672 for vehicles Cuthbert. Fire Dept., Cuthbert, Ga.
• $130,491 for vehicles Hopewell Community Vol. Fire Dept., Pine Mountain, Ga.
• $118,800 for vehicles Byromville Vol. Fire Dept., Byromville, Ga.

Governor Barnes Announces OneGeorgia Awards

Governor Roy Barnes today announced almost $5 million in grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority to create jobs and build economic development capacity in twelve Georgia communities. "These projects leverage over $70 million in local, state and private investment," said the Governor, who chairs the Authority. "From commercializing agricultural biotechnology research to developing rural Georgia's tourism capacity, these awards demonstrate the flexibility of the Authority's programs in enabling communities' economic development strategies."

The awards were made as a result of the second round of the OneGeorgia Equity fund competition. The Equity fund was designed to help communities and regions build the necessary infrastructure for economic development. Project awards are capped at $500,000 each and are targeted to Tier 1 and Tier 2 communities.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality of these projects and what they will mean to these deserving communities," said Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the Authority. These awards will go a long way in helping rural Georgians create jobs and increase their competitiveness in the economic development arena."

Equity award recipients being announced today include:

City of Americus - $331,004 grant for replacement of storm sewers, street improvements, new streetlights, sidewalks and underground placement of power lines surrounding the Habitat for Humanity's future "Global Village and Museum", creating 21 direct jobs, 177 indirect jobs and catalyzing the southwest Georgia regional tourism effort.

City of Vienna - $471,285 grant and loan for water, sewer and gas infrastructure to develop an 86-acre site along I-75 for a proposed travel plaza and other commercial and industrial development, creating 50-100 direct jobs.

Lieutenant Governor announces Better Hometown Communities

On Monday, January 22, 2001, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor named twelve (12) new cities as Better Hometown communities. The announcement was made during the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Mayor's Day breakfast, held at the Atlanta Hilton.

Two communities in Region 8 were designated: Cuthbert, in Randolph County; and Reynolds, in Taylor County. The other new communities are Alamo-Glenwood, Alma, Ashburn, Donalsonville, Hahira, Hazlehurst, Jefferson, Millen, Royston and West Point.

For more information about the Better Hometown Program, visit: www.betterhometown.org or call the Region 8 staff.

Transportation Enhancement Awards (TEA-21)

Americus, City of	$300,000	Depot Renovation/Bike & Pedestrian Corridor
Butler, City of	$240,000	Sidewalk & Lighting
Hamilton, City of	$300,000	New & Enhanced Sidewalks
Harris County	$100,000	Ellerslie Train Depot Rehabilitation
Muscogee County	$1,000,000	East Bank to West Bank of Chattahoochee River
Oglethorpe, City of	$40,000	Flint River Ferry Planning Study
Talbotton, City of	$265,000	Streetscape around Courthouse Square
TOTAL	$2,472,000

Local Development Fund Grant Awards

• City of Fort Gaines received $ 10,000 for restoration maintenance in Frontier Village, a tourist attraction.
• City of Richland received $ 10,000 to replace the entire plumbing system in the Historic Richland Depot.
• City of Butler received $ 4,700 to construct two large welcome signs.
• City of Cuthbert received $ 10,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report for the Cuthbert community center

Historic Township Designations
On July 26, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor presented the first Historic Township designation signs to representatives of eleven townships. Speaking at a ceremony at the State Capitol, he commended the attendees for preserving their community's identities and helping to revitalize rural Georgia. Tazewell in Marion County, Whitesville in Harris County, and Drayton in Dooly County were designated in Region 8.

Success Story:

2001 GWEN Award Announced at the First Annual GWEN Conference!
The GWEN Conference 2001, sponsored by Gulfstream Aerospace; Gwen Fulcher Young and Associates, a real estate company; and Ann Taylor, owner of Taylor Auto Group, was well attended by a very diverse group of women entrepreneurs. Debbie Young was named the recipient of the 2001 Georgia Women Entrepreneurs (GWEN) Award.

She is owner of Windham Castings, Inc. and The Casting Company, Inc. in Plains, Georgia. Marjorie Young of Savannah, owner of Carriage Trade Public Relations, Inc., and Carla Penny of Valdosta, owner of two retail locations of Classic Art and Frame in Valdosta and Tifton, were recognized as finalists for the GWEN Award.

Debbie Young's businesses manufacture aluminum furniture in Plains, Georgia. To be considered for the award, the nominee must have been a client and grown with the assistance of the Georgia SBDC Network. Ms. Young was nominated by Teresa Rayburn, a business consultant in the Albany office of the Georgia SBDC Network. Further consideration was based on five criteria:

1) Growth in business. Under Ms. Young's ownership, Windham Castings, Inc. and The Casting Company, Inc. have grown from 4 employees to 69 in just 4 years. Sales have grown from approximately $480,000 to $8 million in the same period.

2) Innovation. Ms. Young developed the antique finishes that are baked onto all the furniture that her company produces.

3) Obstacles and Competitive Edge. Windham Castings had to deal with poor quality products from suppliers. Ms. Young purchased the main supplier's operations and moved them to Plains, Georgia. Windham and the Casting Company are now leaders in their industry because of the quality concerns of the owner.

4) Community Economic Growth. Ms. Young's businesses are now in Plains, Georgia. She provides quality employment for mostly low-to-moderate income individuals. She serves on the local Better Hometown board of directors and is involved in the marketing committee of that body. She donated several pieces of furniture to the City of Plains for "beautification of the sidewalks" on Main Street.

5) Commitment to Employees. Ms. Young's businesses provide quality jobs to individuals who were previously employed as migrant workers. These former migrant workers have opportunity for wages and benefits not offered in the agriculture industry. Most of these workers receive wages ranging from $6 to $12 per hour. She offers a 401K plan and matches employee contributions up to five percent. She provides a week of vacation to all employees during the year. She offers health insurance with the premiums for the employees paid by Windham.

Ms. Young exemplifies the qualities that GWEN is looking for in a woman entrepreneur. Prior to owning Windham and the Castings, she bought a failing business and turned it around in two years. She is a true entrepreneur at heart and an excellent businessperson.

GWEN (Georgia Women Entrepreneurs) is a program of The University of Georgia and part of the Georgia SBDC Network, and one of its goals is to recognize excellence in women-owned businesses.

FOX Features President Carter/Plains Better Hometown
On Wednesday, June 20, the Atlanta Braves battled the Florida Marlins in a classic confrontation between two former World Champions. If you happened to watch the game on FOX Sports South, you may have seen former President Jimmy Carter featured during the 3rd inning telecast. In addition to sharing his baseball stories with FOX Sports South fans during the feature, President Carter used the national spotlight to promote the efforts of Plains Better Hometown, Inc. In particular, President Carter was at Turner Field to promote Plains BHT's latest fundraiser– a "Greet and Meet Chipper Jones" auction. Raising money to support the local Boys and Girls Clubs, participants in the fundraiser bid on an opportunity to meet the Atlanta Braves' All-Star 3rd Baseman, Chipper Jones. Subsequently, the "Meet and Greet Chipper Jones" fundraiser raised over $1,800 for Plains Better Hometown, Inc. efforts.