PDF: Grant press release
The city of Ringgold will provide sewer service to 65 mobile homes in a $650,000 project that largely is funded with money from state government.
The city was one of seven local governments across Georgia to share in a $6.9 million pool of low-interest loans provided by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.
Ringgold will spend about $123,000 of its own money on the project at Pine Forest Mobile Home Park. Most of the sewage tie-in project will be funded by a $29,000 finance authority grant and another $500,000 from a Georgia Department of Community Affairs Community Development block grant.
“Currently, the park is on a large septic system and it is a failing a lot,” city manager Dan Wright said. “There is fecal matter in the park, and it ends up running other places. It’s an environmental issue.”
OTHER PROJECTSThe Georgia Environmental Finance Authority recently issued $6.9 million in loans and grants to local governments to improve water quality. Ringgold and seven other communities will share in the money.* Commerce, Ga. — $575,000 loan* Henry County — $2.6 million loan* Marshallville — $311,000 loan* Poulan — $400,000 loan* Ringgold — $29,000 grant* Thomasville — $2.25 million loanSource: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
City leaders had planned for the project for years. The park’s human waste overflows have been cited multiple times over the years, Wright said. Despite that, the price tag prevented the city from linking the park to the city’s sewer system, he said.
“It was getting to the point where the price was going to make it impossible for us to do it,” he said.
The city’s portion of the project will be funded in next year’s general fund budget. The mix of grants made it possible, he said.
“When there is an environmental issue and it involves low-to-moderate-income residents, you try to get as much grant money as you can,” Wright said.
Georgia’s Environmental Finance Authority has been making loans and issuing grants all across the state for capital projects that benefit the environment. Summerville recently received $2.5 million in low-interest loans to shore up problems at its water treatment plant.
“Investment in our state’s water infrastructure stimulates the economy, promotes the stewardship of our natural resources and helps to meet Georgia’s future water needs,” Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a news release. “The projects approved today will improve water system efficiency and will ensure clean and safe water.”
Contact Adam Crisp at acrisp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6323. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/adam_crisp