State funds have been granted which will prove vital in an upcoming building project in Gilmer County.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced a $1.5 million grant from the OneGeorgia Authority for the Gilmer County Joint Development Authority, Ellijay, East Ellijay and Gilmer County.
“Every Georgian deserves to be able to live in the community where they work, and today’s announcement is just the latest reminder of our commitment to that idea,” said Gov. Kemp. “I’m grateful for those in the legislature who helped us fund the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative to meet the needs of hardworking families across our state who are benefiting from the historic job growth we’ve attracted.”
The funds will be used for infrastructure, including extending water and sewer 2,000 feet to the property, into the property and developing drainage at a site on Progress Road, said JDA Director Kent Sanford.
New Beginnings of Gilmer County, a nonprofit, purchased the 3.04 acres two and a half years ago and plan to build 30 townhomes on the site located on Progress Road between Coosawattee Drive and the road to the soccer fields.
The units will be sold as they become available over the 30-month term of the grant. Each townhome will be two bedroom and one bath and about 1,000 square feet.
“Which is a reasonable starter home, right now,” said Sanford. “We’re still probably a year away from the first units being available.”
New Beginnings, with which Sanford is affiliated as one of a dozen trustees from local churches and nonprofits, was started originally to help with temporary and transitional housing. It also provides volunteers for the warming center.
Coming out of COVID, it was taking New Beginnings’ residents 18 months to find housing, where previously the time period was six months.
“Primarily because of the transition of long-term rentals to short-term rentals,” Kent said. “New Beginnings decided to work on affordable housing for lower cost points than available in the market place.”
Average price for a home in Gilmer County is hovering at $450,000, said Sanford. The development will be looking to serve school teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
“All those are essential workers in our community who are finding it difficult to move into home ownership,” he said.
The grant is vital to keep the project viable. Sanford said he was thankful to Gov. Kemp and his staff, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn and everyone at the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.
Gov. Kemp made the announcement as part of an award for the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative, totaling $6.5 million in infrastructure development and supporting 198 housing units across three communities, including Ellijay and East Ellijay, the city of Greensboro and the city of Leesburg.