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Tag: rural

  • Kemp announces $4.3M in new grants to boost rural development across Georgia

    Kemp announces $4.3M in new grants to boost rural development across Georgia

    Kemp announces $4.3M in new grants to boost rural development across Georgia

    Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday a new round of grants to help develop rural areas.

    The $4.3 million allotment comes from the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) within the OneGeorgia Authority, according to the news release.

    “In Georgia, we are committed to bringing good-paying jobs to every part of the state,” Kemp said in the release. “The Rural Site Development Initiative is a great tool in helping us bring opportunity to every zip code, and I am grateful for the partnership of the General Assembly and the leadership of the state agencies involved, without whom this generational impact for rural communities would not be possible.”

    This is the third round of grant funding from RSDI since its inception in 2024 totaling $21 million in grants. 

    This round includes two Site Improvement Grants and four Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certification Scholarships:

    • The Camden County Joint Development Authority received $2 million for site improvements at the Coastal Georgia Commerce Park.
    • The Toombs County Development Authority received $2 million for site improvements at the One Toombs Industrial Park.
    • The Brantley County Development Authority received $45,000 to certify the 103-acre Satilla Industrial Park.
    • The Candler County Industrial Authority received $103,500 to expand and renew certification for the Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park.
    • The Rome-Floyd Development Authority received $20,625 to certify the 200-acre Enterprise Corner Industrial Park site.
    • The Waycross-Ware County Development Authority received $161,500 to certify the 391-acre Waycross and Ware County Airport Industrial Park.
  • South Georgia town bucks national trends with falling unemployment in 2025

    South Georgia town bucks national trends with falling unemployment in 2025

    South Georgia town bucks national trends with falling unemployment in 2025

    Although inflation and unemployment rose across the United States in 2025, a small town in south Georgia saw significant economic growth.

    WALB 10 reports that Moultrie and Colquitt County saw its unemployment rate drop from 3.9% to 3.4%. Nationally, unemployment rose from 4.1% to 4.4% in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    Moultrie City Manager Peter Dillard told WALB that the growth is due to multiple new investments and collaborative efforts between local organizations.

    “Our city-county organizations have done well. Our school system, our hospitals. I think we’re really seeing the fruits of our new hybrid Downtown Development Authority and Economic Development Authority,” he said.

    Dillard said new industries and companies moved into the town, including EnergyTek, Hobby Lobby and Marshalls. Efforts to revitalize the downtown area have paid off, he said.

    “I remember twenty years ago, you could ride through town on Saturday, and it was empty. It was like a ghost town. Today, you can barely find a parking place,” Dillard said.

    Georgia’s overall unemployment rate also decreased in 2025 from 3.6% in January to 3.4% in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • Georgia awarded $218.8M to launch major rural health care transformation

    Georgia awarded $218.8M to launch major rural health care transformation

    Georgia awarded $218.8M to launch major rural health care transformation

    Georgia has been awarded $218.8 million for the first annual installment of a five year program that aims to improve health care in rural areas.

    Gov. Brian Kemp announced the award with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). DCH applied for the grant through the federal government’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), an effort to mitigate some of the health cuts from the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

    “This funding will help move us forward in strengthening our rural providers while bringing cost-saving innovations to the state’s health system,” Kemp said in a news release.

    Kemp’s administration requested $1.4 billion over the course of five years in their application to the program. The $218.8 million is the first allotment.

    The money will fund Georgia’s Rural Enhancement And Transformation of Health, or GREAT Health program.

    “When Georgia was presented with this funding opportunity, we sought public input to shape the grant process – because different rural communities have different needs,” said Dr. Dean Burke, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health, in the news release. “Through the GREAT Health program, we remain committed to driving true transformation of healthcare in rural Georgia.”

    The GREAT Health program implements 29 strategies across five initiatives, according to the application. The first initiative is largely a planning and assessing stage of the program, according to the application.

    • Transforming for a Sustainable Health System in Rural Georgia: $428,350,000
    • Strengthening the Continuum of Care in Rural Georgia: $234,904,250
    • Connecting to Care to Improve Healthcare Access in Rural Georgia: $217,036,750
    • Growing a Highly Skilled Healthcare Workforce in Rural Georgia: $220,519,001
    • Leveraging Technology for Healthcare Innovations in Rural Georgia: $233,349,384

    The application suggested funding each initiative each year of the five year program. However, because the first allotment is more than $200 million less than the cost of the first initiative, it is unclear from the news release which parts of the GREAT Health program will be funded.

  • Kemp seeks $1.4B federal grant to overhaul rural health care in Georgia

    Kemp seeks $1.4B federal grant to overhaul rural health care in Georgia

    Kemp seeks $1.4B federal grant to overhaul rural health care in Georgia

    Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration requested $1.4 billion from the Trump administration to “transform” rural health care in Georgia.

    The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Trump administration will award one-time grants by the end of 2025 for the purpose of improving rural health care.

    Kemp’s administration submitted a nearly 100 page request including projects such as drop-in telehealth “pods,” funds for recruiting nurses and health transportation networks, according to the AJC.

    The project is called Georgia’s Rural Enhancement And Transformation of Health, or GREAT Health program. 

    The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act created the $50 billion program, from which half of the funds will be evenly distributed among the states. The Trump administration will decide who receives the other funds.

    The program is a one-time, five-year expenditure, so it will not replace the $1 trillion that the act cut from health care expenditures, which are ongoing.

    The GREAT Health program implements 29 strategies across five initiatives, according to Georgia Department of Community Health frequently asked questions sheet.

    • Transforming for a Sustainable Health System in Rural Georgia
    • Strengthening the Continuum of Care in Rural Georgia
    • Connecting to Care to Improve Healthcare Access in Rural Georgia
    • Growing a Highly Skilled Healthcare Workforce in Rural Georgia
    • Leveraging Technology for Healthcare Innovations in Rural Georgia

    States are supposed to be notified about their award by Dec. 31.

  • Ossoff urges USDA to restore funding for South Georgia food program

    Ossoff urges USDA to restore funding for South Georgia food program

    Ossoff urges USDA to restore funding for South Georgia food program

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture cut funding earlier this year for a program in South Georgia that helps provide food and childcare to the community.

    Southeast Crescent Regional Commission’s Childcare Access and Nutrition Systems (CANS) Program lost funding earlier this year when the USDA/CANS cooperative agreement was canceled, according to WALB.

    U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff wrote a letter to the department head, Brooke Rollins, to reinstate the grant funding.

    “The Department’s decision not only hurts Georgians; it directly contradicts the Department’s stated goals of helping rural America thrive, and promoting agricultural production that better nourishes Americans,” Ossoff wrote in the letter.

    The program aims to reduce food insecurity, expand food-assistance programs and improve health outcomes in Dougherty and Upson counties. It also helps expand affordable childcare options and reduce monthly childcare costs, according to WALB. 

    “These projects would have demonstrably improved the quality of life for children, seniors, and families in south Georgia,” Ossoff wrote. “However, the Department terminated these critical projects in May after several of the projects had already begun, denying Georgians access to essential services.”

  • Brazil’s Grupo Vialume to invest $4.4M, bring 150 jobs to Colquitt-Miller County

    Brazil’s Grupo Vialume to invest $4.4M, bring 150 jobs to Colquitt-Miller County

    Brazil’s Grupo Vialume to invest $4.4M, bring 150 jobs to Colquitt-Miller County

    A São Paulo company plans to invest $4.4 million to establish its manufacturing operations in Colquitt-Miller County.

    Grupo Vialume, a family-owned transportation safety manufacturer, will create 150 new jobs over the next seven years at its new manufacturing and recycling hub in the City of Colquitt, according to a news release.

    “We are excited to welcome Grupo Vialume to Georgia after meeting with them in Brazil over the summer,” said Gov. Brian Kemp in the news release. “The 150 new jobs this investment is bringing will have generational impacts on the Colquitt-Miller County community, creating long-term opportunities for hardworking Georgians.”

    The facility will produce plastic raised pavement markers and reflective lenses. The operation will also engineer new processes to recycle previously considered unrecyclable materials, such as peanut-shell byproducts and textile cutoffs.

    “We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint into Colquitt, Georgia. This decision reflects the growing demand for sustainable products, the strength of our supplier base in the United States, and the greater ease of exporting to our commercial partners,” said João Paulo Moura, CEO of Grupo Vialume, in the news release. “Combined with attractive tax incentives, the stability of the U.S. dollar, and the security of investing in such a strong market, Colquitt offers the ideal environment for Grupo Vialume to continue building a brighter, more sustainable future.”

    As Brazil’s largest manufacturer of reflective raised pavement markers, the company has been recognized as one of the top five manufacturers worldwide, according to the release. The business comprises four subsidiaries: Vialume, the parent company, Rodoprisma, PetBone, and Medlume.

    The City of Colquitt is a small town of about 2,000 people located in the southwest corner of Georgia, approximately 30 minutes from Bainbridge.

    The company plans to hire for positions, such as production operators, injection machinists, salespersons, and management positions. To learn more about job opportunities, visit www.colquittmillerchamber.com. 

    “I’m encouraged by the positive economic development we’re seeing, because this project truly represents what collaboration can achieve,” said Colquitt Mayor Preston Clenney. “With support from the State of Georgia, the City Development Authority, and the dedicated leadership who have helped nurture this project, Grupo Vialume is creating new opportunities that will benefit our rural community for years to come.”

  • Audit finds Georgia’s rural hospital tax credit brings millions but falls short of growing needs

    Audit finds Georgia’s rural hospital tax credit brings millions but falls short of growing needs

    Audit finds Georgia’s rural hospital tax credit brings millions but falls short of growing needs

    A Georgia tax credit provides millions of dollars to struggling rural hospitals, but it’s not enough to fund growing needs in these communities.

    A recent state audit conducted by the Fiscal Research Center at Georgia State University found that Georgia’s Rural Hospital Tax Credit program has generated more than $432 million for rural hospitals since its inception in 2017. The audit also found that the program costs the state nearly $80 million while adding more than $25 million to the economy.

    Jimmy Lewis, CEO of Hometown Health, told the Georgia Recorder that the cost to the state is minimal compared to the benefit it brings to rural communities.

    “If we don’t provide vehicles like this to preserve economic development in rural Georgia, we’re going to accelerate to a third-world nation beyond anything we can imagine … we’ve got very problematic situations where we don’t have the money,” Lewis said in an interview with The Georgia Recorder. “Again, these hospitals were built in the mid-50s and haven’t been totally upgraded since then, and as a result, we’ve got a real infrastructure problem.”

    A recent study by the Georgia Health Initiative found that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would result in a loss of nearly $626 million of federal funding in rural hospitals. The study also found that 20%, or 91,274 people, of the estimated newly uninsured Georgians will live in rural areas, further increasing the burden on rural hospitals and medical facilities.

    Leah Chan, director of health justice at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, told the Georgia Recorder that although the tax credit helps struggling hospitals, it does not provide enough financing to meet the needs of rural communities.

    “I think what this audit shows is that it has generated more than $432 million in support for rural hospitals statewide,” Chan said in an interview with the Georgia Recorder. “So that is certainly a benefit. Again, no one solution is going to fix all our problems, and we need to access additional levers that allow us to draw down additional federal funds and to ensure we can cover more eligible Georgians.”

    The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform published a report in October saying that 21 of Georgia’s 71 rural hospitals were at risk of closure, with 10 of those being at immediate risk.

  • Georgia awards $24M to expand electric vehicle charging network statewide

    Georgia awards $24M to expand electric vehicle charging network statewide

    Georgia awards $24M to expand electric vehicle charging network statewide

    The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced Thursday that it is awarding more than $24 million to expand Georgia’s infrastructure for electric vehicles.

    The funds from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will be used to build fast-charging stations for electric vehicles at 26 locations, mostly in rural areas.

    GDOT identified 33 potential NEVI locations to close gaps within the state’s network and received 41 proposals for 26 of the locations, according to a news release.

    After evaluating the proposals, GDOT selected six awardees to install and operate the charging stations. NEVI funds cover 80% of project costs with private-sector partners covering the remaining cost to build the charging stations.

    Each location will include four direct current fast charging (DCFC) ports that can operate simultaneously at all times.

    “Our robust infrastructure network has set Georgia apart in attracting business, promoting travel, and providing reliable transportation for all Georgians,” said Gov. Brian Kemp in the news release. “This investment will help further secure our status as a national leader in innovation and infrastructure for years to come. We appreciate Georgia DOT for fulfilling the state’s commitment to a robust, reliable fast-charging network that meets federal standards and serves communities across Georgia.” 

    Here is a list of the locations and awardees:

    • Dougherty & Worth counties – Awardee: Pilot Travel Centers LLC
    • Clarke County – Awardee: Silver Comet Energy, Inc.
    • Decatur County – Awardee: Universal EV LLC
    • Union & Towns counties – Awardee: Universal EV LLC
    • Early & Clay counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Carroll & Haralson counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Bartow & Gordon counties – Awardee: Silver Comet Energy, Inc.
    • Muscogee County – Awardee: EnviroSpark Energy Solutions, LLC
    • Habersham County – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Gilmer County – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Bryan & Bulloch counties – Awardee: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
    • Greene County – Awardee: Silver Comet Energy, Inc.
    • Cherokee & Pickens counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Carroll County – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Franklin & Hart counties – Awardee: EnviroSpark Energy Solutions, LLC
    • Bibb & Twiggs counties – Awardee: EnviroSpark Energy Solutions, LLC
    • Morgan County – Awardee: Pilot Travel Centers LLC
    • Baldwin & Wilkinson counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Coweta County – Awardee: Silver Comet Energy, Inc.
    • Atkinson County – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • McDuffie & Warren counties – Awardee: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
    • Liberty & McIntosh counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Ware County – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Troup & Harris counties – Awardee: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc.
    • Troup & Harris counties – Awardee: PowerUp America LLC
    • Hall County – Awardee: Silver Comet Energy, Inc.
  • South and Southwest Georgia Experience Highest Infant Mortality Rates, Report Finds

    South and Southwest Georgia Experience Highest Infant Mortality Rates, Report Finds

    South and Southwest Georgia Experience Highest Infant Mortality Rates, Report Finds

    Infant mortality rates vary sharply across Georgia, with the highest death rates concentrated in rural and southern regions, according to the 2025 State of the State Report from the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA).

    HMHBGA mapping shows that Georgia’s Southwest (Albany), West Central (Columbus) and South Central (Dublin) public health districts recorded the highest infant mortality rates last year, reaching 10 to 11 deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, lower rates — between 5 and 6 — were found in North Georgia (Dalton) and the North district (Gainesville).

    The report also highlights major racial disparities between public health districts. Regions such as Southeast (Waycross), North Central (Macon) and West Central (Columbus) reported Black–white infant mortality gaps ranging from 9 to 16 deaths per 1,000 live births, some of the widest disparities in the state. Meanwhile, districts like Northeast (Athens) and Southwest (Albany) showed smaller gaps of up to four deaths per 1,000.

    These geographic differences mirror patterns in provider access. Georgia Public Broadcasting reports that maternal mortality and infant health outcomes are often worse in communities with fewer obstetric clinicians or where prenatal care is limited. March of Dimes has identified more than a third of U.S. counties as maternity care deserts, where residents lack access to birthing hospitals, OB-GYNs or midwives.

    Advocates say the uneven distribution of healthcare resources leaves families in many parts of Georgia without timely prenatal support. State lawmakers have expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage and invested in maternal home-visiting programs, but experts warn that improving outcomes requires earlier and more consistent access to care.

    HMHBGA said the geographic trends reflect “pronounced disparities in infant health outcomes,” particularly in rural and economically distressed regions of the state. The organization’s findings show that where a family lives remains a major predictor of infant health and survival.