Sumter County has received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $800,000 and CHIP grant of $306,000 from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers the program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“Strong, vibrant communities help attract companies to the state,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “The projects funded by this program will ensure successful economic development and enhance the quality of life for all Georgians. By leveraging this funding with private investment and local funds, these communities are able to maximize the opportunities offered by the CDBG program and keep Georgia the nation’s top state for business.”
Sumter County will utilize the CDBG funds for housing, flood, street and drainage improvements on Richmond Road, Lakeridge Drive, Lakeridge Extension and a small area on Arlington Extension.
The CHIP funds will be utilized for housing improvements in 5 census tracts in the Sumter County unincorporated areas.
“The annual Community Development Block Grant awards are one of DCA’s most well-known, competitive and far-reaching programs, touching cities and counties in every corner of the state,” said Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Gretchen Corbin. “We appreciate the vision and hard work that went into each application and look forward to working with these communities as they lay the groundwork for future growth.”
The grant award was presented to the county by Commissioner Gretchen Corbin and was accepted on behalf of the county by Chairman Randy Howard, County Administrator Bill Twomey, and Grants Administrator Sherry Kurtz in a ceremony hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in Savannah on September 5, 2014. A total of 82 awards totaling over $39.7 million were presented to cities and counties around the state.