GEFA Approves Water, Sewer Infrastructure Projects for Communities Around Georgia

Twenty-six projects total $43.1 million

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the approval of 26 environmental infrastructure project loans totaling $43.1 million. Twenty-three of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of $39 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure projects in 24 communities.

“Investment in infrastructure creates jobs, promotes economic development and increases our citizens’ quality of life,” said Governor Perdue. “Improving public health and safety is critical to a community’s economic growth and prosperity.”

“The federal water and sewer programs administered by GEFA assist local governments with improving their environmental infrastructure,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil. “Financing water and sewer projects encourages economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.”

Foil expressed appreciation to Governor Perdue, Georgia’s Congressional delegation and the members of the General Assembly for their support. He credited Governor Perdue’s commitment to helping Georgia cities and counties finance infrastructure development as one of the main contributors to GEFA’s success.

“The projects that we agreed to finance today illustrate how GEFA helps communities of all sizes, in all areas of the state,” said Matt Beasley, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and mayor of the city of Hartwell. “From the smallest of communities to the largest, GEFA is investing in communities that are willing to invest in themselves.

GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development through the provision of low interest loans. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for wastewater infrastructure and water pollution abatement projects. Eligible projects include a wide variety of storm water and wastewater collection and treatment projects. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for water infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include public health-related water supply construction.

In February, Congress approved and the President signed the ARRA, which included a substantial investment in the CWSRF and the DWSRF programs. The ARRA also directs the states to reserve 20 percent of the ARRA funding for “…projects to address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally innovative activities.”

Under the ARRA financing terms adopted by the GEFA board of directors, cities or counties that are OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 70 percent subsidy. Cities or counties that are not OneGeorgia-eligible qualify for a 40 percent subsidy. Cities or counties with eligible green projects qualify for a 60 percent subsidy. For example, if a OneGeorgia-eligible community applies for a $1 million loan, then 70 percent of the loan will be forgiven and the community will close on a 20-year loan of $300,000 at a three percent interest rate. OneGeorgia-eligible communities are located outside the state’s metropolitan areas and have a population of 50,000 or less with a poverty rate of ten percent or greater. The unprecedented amounts of subsidy in the ARRA financing terms will help Georgia meet the ARRA’s short-term goals of job creation and economic stimulus.

Georgia local governments expressed a tremendous amount of interest in the ARRA funds. Cities and counties submitted more than 1,600 clean water, drinking water and green projects with a total cost exceeding $6 billion. Total available funding for projects through the ARRA is $144 million. Funding is obligated to projects on a first-come-first-served basis.
Below are details of the loans approved today:

City of Blairsville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Blairsville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $322,800 and a CWSRF subsidy of $753,200 for the rehabilitation of a portion of the city’s sewer system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($753,200) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a ten-year loan of $322,800. The total project cost is $1,076,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Braselton

The city of Braselton was approved for two Georgia Fund loans totaling $1,240,000. The loans will finance upgrading and replacing two wastewater pump stations. The total cost of both projects is $1,540,000, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) committing $300,000 through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant. The city, a WaterFirst community, will pay a 2.81 percent interest rate on the loans, one percent lower than the current Georgia Fund rate. WaterFirst communities are certified by DCA as having met and maintained stringent standards for system management and water conservation. WaterFirst participants are entitled to a lower interest rate on certain GEFA loans.

City of Byron

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Byron was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $816,246 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,904,574 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,904,574) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $816,246. The total project cost is $2,720,820 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Clarkesville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Clarkesville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $528,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,232,000 for the installation of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,232,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $528,000. The total project cost is $1,803,200 with GEFA providing $1,760,000 and the city of Clarkesville providing $43,200.

City of Colquitt

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Colquitt was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $420,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $980,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($980,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $420,000. The total project cost is $1,400,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Commerce

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Commerce was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $330,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $770,000 for improvements to two water pollution control plants. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($770,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $330,000. The total project cost is $1,100,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Darien

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Darien was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $280,890 and a CWSRF subsidy of $655,410 for the rehabilitation and replacement of equipment at the city’s water pollution control plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($655,410) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $280,890. The total project cost is $936,300 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Demorest

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Demorest was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $153,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $357,000 for the construction of a sludge dewatering building at the city’s water pollution control plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($357,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a ten-year loan of $153,000. The total project cost is $510,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Donalsonville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Donalsonville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $150,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $350,000 for the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($350,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $150,000. The total project cost is $510,000 with GEFA providing $500,000 and the city of Donalsonville providing $10,000.

Gwinnett County

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, Gwinnett County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $2,000,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $3,000,000 for the installation of a power generator that will be fueled by gas drawn from anaerobic digesters. The electricity will be used to help power the wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($3,000,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the county will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $2,000,000. The total project cost is $5,500,000 with GEFA providing $5,000,000 and Gwinnett County providing $500,000.

City of Helen

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Helen was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $386,400 and a CWSRF subsidy of $901,600 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($901,600) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $386,400. The total project cost is $1,288,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Hinesville

The city of Hinesville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $2,583,965. The loan will finance watershed improvements at three sites for stormwater control. The city will pay a 3 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,583,965 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Jefferson

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, the city of Jefferson was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $218,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $327,000 for the replacement of an impervious-surfaced parking lot with grass filter strips. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($327,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $218,000. The total project cost is $545,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of LaGrange

Financed through the ARRA, the city of LaGrange was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $4,350,000, which includes $3,572,666 financed through the ARRA. The ARRA portion of the loan includes a CWSRF subsidy of $1,429,066. The loan and subsidy will help finance improvements to the city’s Long Cane Creek water pollution control plant. GEFA’s commitment includes $3,572,666 financed through the ARRA and $777,334 financed by a regular CWSRF loan. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent ($1,429,066) of the principal on the ARRA portion of the loan will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $2,143,600. The non-ARRA CWSRF loan of $777,334 that finances the remainder of the project is also a 20-year loan with a three percent interest rate. The total project cost is $4,350,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Maysville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Maysville was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $225,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $525,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($525,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $225,000. The total project cost is $750,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Milledgeville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Milledgeville was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $362,085 and a DWSRF subsidy of $844,865 for the replacement of failing water lines in the residential neighborhoods of Allenwood and Brookwood. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent ($844,865) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $362,085. The total project cost is $1,206,950 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Moultrie

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Moultrie was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $1,015,350 and a CWSRF subsidy of $2,369,150 for the installation of improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($2,369,150) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,015,350. The total project cost is $3,384,500 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Financed through the ARRA as a green project, the city of Moultrie was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) $1,400,000 loan and a CWSRF subsidy of $2,100,000 for the installation of a biogas recovery system that will provide process heat for the city’s wastewater treatment plant digester. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent ($2,100,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,400,000. The total project cost is $3,500,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Sardis

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Sardis was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $330,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $770,000 for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($770,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $330,000. The total project cost is $1,100,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Sparks

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Sparks was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $84,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $196,000 for the replacement of a wastewater pump station. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($196,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a one-year loan of $84,000. The total project cost is $300,000 with GEFA providing $280,000 and the city of Sparks providing $20,000.

City of Tennille

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Tennille was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $90,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $210,000 for the replacement of a wastewater pump station. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($210,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a five-year loan of $90,000. The total project cost is $300,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Thomaston

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Thomaston was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $1,020,000 and a DWSRF subsidy of $2,380,000 for the replacement of water mains within the city’s Westside service area. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent ($2,380,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $1,020,000. The total project cost is $3,400,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Toccoa

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Toccoa was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $300,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $700,000 for improvements to the Eastanollee Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($700,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a five-year loan of $300,000. The total project cost is $1,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Union Point

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Union Point was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $360,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $840,000 for the rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($840,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan of $360,000. The total project cost is $1,200,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

City of Warrenton

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Warrenton was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $600,000 and a CWSRF subsidy of $1,400,000 for improvements to the city’s wastewater collection system. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are OneGeorgia-eligible, 70 percent ($1,400,000) of the principal will be forgiven and the city will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan of $600,000. The total project cost is $2,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Cities and counties interested in more information regarding GEFA loans should visit www.gefa.org or call (404) 584-1000.

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) provides financial assistance and administers programs that encourage stewardship of the environment and promote economic development statewide. GEFA is the lead state agency for energy planning and alternative fuels; manages the Governor’s Energy Challenge and the Georgia Land Conservation Program; maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure.
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