Both the Effingham County Development Authority and the Screven County Development Authority are the recipients of state funds for their respective industrial parks.
Governor Kemp announced Monday that the state is releasing the fourth round of grants from the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) within the OneGeorgia Authority, totaling $7.8 million for ten local projects across the state.
Eligible activities for use of grant funds include, but are not limited to, site studies, land grading, and other essential community infrastructure efforts that support site development. The state says the recipients “demonstrated substantive plans for industrial site development while meeting OneGeorgia Authority eligibility requirements.”
With this latest round of grants, the State of Georgia has invested $28 million into rural site development projects since the program’s launch in FY 2025.
The Effingham County Development Authority was awarded $1.8 million for site readiness improvements, including the construction of a sewer pump station, at the GRAD-certified Savannah Portside International Park. The total project costs are $2.5 million.
The Screven County Development Authority, which the state refers to as a community “near coastal Georgia,” was awarded $121,500 for studies and surveys necessary for the Screven Industrial Park to receive GRAD certification. The total project costs are $135,000.
“Rural communities are the lifeblood of Georgia’s economy, which is why the House is proud to support Rural Site Development Grants that help bring good-paying jobs to hardworking Georgians across our state,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “I am especially proud of the investments being made in Southeast Georgia as the region navigates unprecedented changes in the forestry industry that has sustained our communities for generations. These grants will strengthen economic opportunity across the region and ensure the continued success of our entire state.”
“Since I took office, over 64 percent of new jobs created have gone to parts of our state outside the metro Atlanta region, and the Rural Site Development Initiative is an important part of that broader effort to bring opportunity to all parts of Georgia,” Governor Kemp. said in a press release. “I’m grateful for the great partnership of the General Assembly in funding and promoting this program, and I look forward to even more jobs and investment going to rural areas.”
View the award list for other recipients.
Use of funds is subject to all applicable state laws and regulations, as well as the policies and requirements of the OneGeorgia Authority and the Department of Community Affairs.
