Lula among communities receiving grants

LULA - Officials with the City of Lula found out Tuesday that their city is among the ten communities in northeast Georgia getting an American Recovery and Reinvestment Grant. In all, the economic stimulus funds total more than $17 million.

Lula officials said their $6 million grant - the largest of any of those announced for northeast Georgia Tuesday - coupled with a $2.5 million loan from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, will go toward the construction of an $8.5 million water treatment facility.

They said the stimulus funds support city leaders' efforts to bring growth and opportunity to the Highway 365 corridor.

City officials said they've been working on the grant process for the past seven months.

A complete list of areas in North Georgia awarded environmental infrastructure project loans can be found below:

Banks County

Financed through the ARRA, Banks County was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $777,480 and a DWSRF subsidy of $1,814,120 for the construction of a new one million gallon clear well, pump station and associated water main. The total project cost is $2,591,600 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent (up to a maximum of $1,814,120) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. Banks County will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $777,480, for 20 years.


City of Clayton

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Clayton was approved for a green project through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The loan of $237,320 and a DWSRF subsidy of $355,980 were approved for the replacement of 2,000 water meters and the upgrade of 1,000 water meters to transmit information to a new automated meter reading system. The total project cost is $593,300 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for green projects, 60 percent (up to a maximum of $355,980) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. The city of Clayton will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $237,320, for ten years.


City of Cumming

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Cumming was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $711,884 and a DWSRF subsidy of $474,589 for modifications to the settling basins at the city’s Potable Water Production Facility. The total project cost is $1,186,473 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent (up to a maximum of $474,589) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. The city of Cumming will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $711,884, for 20 years.


City of Demorest

The city of Demorest was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $360,000 for improvements to the city’s water system. The city will pay a 3.81 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $660,000, with a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission providing the remainder.


Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority

Financed through the ARRA, the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $1,032,227 and a DWSRF subsidy of $2,408,531 for water infrastructure upgrades within the Coosawattee River Resort residential development. The total project cost is $3,440,758 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for OneGeorgia-eligible communities, 70 percent (up to a maximum of $2,408,531) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. The Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $1,032,227, for 20 years.


City of Hiawassee

The city of Hiawassee was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $400,000 for improvements to the city’s sewer system. The city will pay a 3.81 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $700,000, with a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission providing the remainder.


City of Lawrenceville

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Lawrenceville was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $990,000 and a DWSRF subsidy of $660,000 for the extension and replacement of water mains. The total project cost is $1,650,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent (up to a maximum of $660,000) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. The city of Lawrenceville will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $990,000, for 20 years.


Nicholson Water Authority

The Nicholson Water Authority was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $1,000,000 for the construction of a new well, the rehabilitation of an existing well and the replacement of water mains. The Authority will pay a three percent interest rate on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $1,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.


City of Suwanee

Financed through the ARRA, the city of Suwanee was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $288,026 and a DWSRF subsidy of $192,018 for the construction of a new well and the replacement of water lines. The total project cost is $480,044 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Consistent with GEFA’s ARRA financing terms for communities that are not OneGeorgia-eligible, 40 percent (up to a maximum of $192,018) of the principal will be forgiven, subject to the loan contract provisions. The city of Suwanee will pay three percent interest on the loan portion, up to a maximum of $288,026, for 15 years.