Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) Board of Directors announced the approval of $26.5 million in state loans and grants to fund 13 local transportation infrastructure projects.
The funds, part of the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), are a record for the state, officials said. The investments also mark two additional records – the largest combined rural award of $13.3 million and the largest amount of loans – $15.5 million.
“Thanks to conservative budgeting and strategic funding of our priorities, Georgia is not only the No. 1 state for business we’re also the best state for reliable infrastructure,” Kemp said. “With this year’s historic rural investment, we’re preserving our competitive edge and reaffirming our commitment to creating opportunity in all parts of our state, especially rural Georgia. I want to thank the General Assembly and the SRTA team for making these awards possible and I look forward to the generational impact they will have on our communities.”
One of the major rural investments, the Mount Vernon Roadway Connectivity project, will receive a $1.4 million grant for improvements and repairs to several roads damaged by Hurricane Helene, and for paving a dirt road. The grant would allow critical roadwork to advance quickly and enhance safety for the community.
The largest GTIB investment, $4.9 million, is a loan to the Cumberland CID for the Cumberland Sweep Segment C buildout that would construct the first portion of the Cumberland Sweep, a 3+ mile path around the core of the Cumberland District. The project will enhance transportation for more than 80,000 office workers, residents and visitors to the district, officials said.
“SRTA is honored and excited to continue investing in Georgia’s transportation network, this year by infusing more state funds than ever into local projects,” Jannine Miller, executive director of SRTA, said. “Rural communities made up 38 percent of GTIB applications this year, indicating transportation is important in every corner of our state. With the support of Governor Kemp and the General Assembly, GTIB is helping local governments accelerate project delivery and lower long-term costs for Georgia taxpayers.”
Since its inception in 2010, the GTIB has awarded more than $240 million in grants and loans for transportation infrastructure projects.