Two Projects Announced

Mayor Bayne Stone announced Monday that two long-time-in-the-making major projects that will benefit Hazlehurst are moving forward.
First of all, the bidders’ conference for Georgia’s newest Division of Driver Services customer service center was held this past Monday at City Hall with plenty of officials present from the DDS, including Senior Contract Specialist Mindi Boddie and Facilities Manager Derek Prosser. Matthew Cash, a registered architect who is working closely with the DDS, was also in attendance, as were several prospective contractors who hope to win the bid to construct the much-needed facility. City Code Inspector Charles Harrell also attended the meeting.
The new DDS will be located on U.S. Highway 341 North just north of Circle SS Stockyard at Eureka Church Road. Opening in 2024, the facility will offer driver’s licenses, identification cards, learner’s permits, commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and much more here in Hazlehurst.
“It is going to be a great day when our citizens no longer have to drive out of town to get their licenses,” said Stone. “Plus Hazlehurst will benefit from drivers coming from surrounding towns who’ll have opportunities to shop and dine in our restaurants and stores.”
Cash said the building will be 4,224 square feet, with the overall layout to include two CDL courses, a motorcycle course and a general basic skills course.
Boddie stated the deadline for request for information is Sept. 6 at 2 p.m., with a bid opening date of Sept. 14. The winning contractor will have 240 days from the notice to proceed to complete the building.
Secondly, Stone was notified last Friday that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has announced that 37 Georgia communities are set to receive more than $33.8 million in federal grants to strengthen their communities. Of that $33.8 million, Hazlehurst will get $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for critically-needed sewer improvements.
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 notice from the DCA, the project will benefit 256 persons, of whom 246 (96.1 percent) have low to moderate income.
The total project cost is $1,444,724 with $444,724 in local match and leverage.
“Both the DDS and sewer improvements projects are real shots in the arm for Hazlehurst,” said Stone. “Our city officials have worked hard to make these things happen, and we’re happy to see them come to fruition.”