The City of Tifton Bainbridge were recently awarded funding through the FY2022 Rural Downtown Redevelopment Grant funding. Nine communities in total received the grant.
Commissioner Christopher Nunn announced the official awards made by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, on Thursday, June 29. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provided the grants under a special allocation of funding in the Amended FY2022 State of Georgia Budget (H.B. 910).
Commissioner Nunn stated, “These projects represent strategic investments in revitalizing downtown districts. Downtowns are the heart and economic centers of so many of our communities. These funds will assist in creating a sense of place and connectivity to residents which promotes the economic vitality of our downtowns.”
The grant allocation totaled over $17.25 million and were awarded to cities and downtown development authorities that illustrated a need for improvements and the ability to implement the grants by the June 30, 2024 deadline.
Selected projects represent a geographical distribution of various project types, including Streetscape Improvements, Public Infrastructure Improvements and Workforce Development.
The award selection process was highly competitive as 53 applications were received requesting over $104 million.
Communities receiving Rural Downtown Redevelopment Grants are:
- Bainbridge, City of (Chason Park Expansion Project) - $1,261,008
- Darien Downtown Development Authority (Rehabilitation and Construction of Downtown Docks) - $1,662,510
- Dublin, City of (Madison Street Redevelopment Project) - $3,328,773
- Monroe, City of (Construction of a Downtown Green) - $2,126,340
- Ringgold, City of (Streetscape and Revitalization Project) - $1,421,316
- Tifton, City of (Commerce Way Redevelopment Project) - $955,140
- Toccoa, City of (Tugulo Street Park and Streetscape) - $689,042
- Toombs County Development Authority (Construction of the Greater Vidalia Center for Rural Entrepreneurship) - $4,059,474
- Villa Rica, City of (Transportation Reunification Program)
The city of Tifton plans to use its $955,140 grant for a Downtown Redevelopment Project.
The City of Tifton’s application requested funding to support the Commerce Way Redevelopment Project to provide a safer, more attractive, and connected downtown district by creating an atmosphere sparking economic development, sociability, and growth.
This project sets to extend the phased downtown streetscape enhancements by improving the sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting; it additionally addresses the growing need for water and drainage infrastructure improvements to support future downtown development.
Abbey McLaren, Tifton Downtown Development Director, stated, “This grant will be transformational for not only Commerce Way and its potential for further economic development but will also aesthetically improve downtown overall and the high visibility entryway into downtown from Highway 82. This is a long awaited project for downtown and we are very excited and appreciative to receive this award.”
A complete listing of the project descriptions are available here.