City Gets CDBG

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs recently announced 37 Georgia communities would receive more than $33.8 million in federal grants to strengthen their communities. Of that $33.8 million, Hazlehurst was awarded $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for critically-needed sewer improvements.
Representatives of Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission made a check presentation to Hazlehurst City Council during last week’s monthly meeting.
“Santa Claus has come to see us in September,” said Mayor Bayne Stone in receiving the oversized check. “We’ve been working on this for a long time, and Lord knows, it’s past due.”
Among the streets that will benefit from the project are Redbird Lane, Hatton Still Road, Southside Circle, Cary Johnson Circle and Jackson Circle, all of which have low elevation and continual sewer issues.
According to the DCA, the project will benefit 256 persons, of whom 246, or 96.1 percent, have low to moderate income. The total project cost is $1,444,724 with $444,724 in matching funds.
Pictured left to right are HOGARC Grant Administrator Camary Johnson, Mayor Bayne Stone, HOGARC Executive Director Brett Manning, Ward 1 Councilman Dywane Johnson, HOGARC Government Services Specialist Christopher Lowe, City Clerk Vernice Thompson, Ward 4 Councilman John Bloodworth, Ward 3 Councilwoman Diane Leggett, and HOGARC Director of Economic and Community Development Rich Bennett.