Eleven Georgia communities were awarded financing totaling $43,135,000 for water, wastewater, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater projects by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) board of directors.

Approved loans:

  • Bainbridge awarded a $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Blairsville awarded a 700,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan
  • Blue Ridge awarded a $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Camden County Board of Commissioners awarded a $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan
  • Cave Spring awarded a $12,000,000 DWSRF conservation loan
  • Dawson awarded a $2,200,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • Elberton awarded a $2,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan
  • Folkston awarded a $6,235,000 CWSRF conservation loan
  • Franklin County Board of Commissioners awarded a $2,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan
  • Jasper awarded a $4,500,000 CWSRF conservation loan and a $3,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan
  • Warren County Board of Commissioners awarded a $2,000,000 CWSRF loan

Project and loan details:

City of Bainbridge

The $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance a water main extension to an area where residents and businesses rely solely on private wells without the availability of backup wells or an emergency tie-in to another system. The city will pay 2.32% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to the city being a PlanFirst Community and due to GEFA’s affordability criteria.

City of Blairsville

The $700,000 DWSRF loan will finance testing for potential well sites and installing new wells. This project will enhance reliability and reduce operating costs within the existing water distribution system. The city will pay 2.44% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $350,000.

City of Blue Ridge

The $2,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance rehabilitating the city’s stormwater system. The city is experiencing severe flooding and erosion due to inadequate drainage. This project will improve the stormwater drainage system and protect the city’s historical areas. The city will pay 2.78% interest on the 25-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria.

Camden County Board of Commissioners

The $3,000,000 Georgia Fund loan will finance the construction of a new municipal solid waste landfill cell. This project will provide additional municipal solid waste capacity for the county’s residents. The county will pay 3.40% interest on the 20-year loan.

City of Cave Spring

The $12,000,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance improvements to the water distribution system and the replacement of water main. The city’s water main is undersized and aging, resulting in leakage. This project will increase water pressure, reduce water loss, and improve water quality and reliability. The city will pay 1.57% interest on the 30-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $5,500,000.

City of Dawson

The $2,200,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance upgrading the sewer system. The city’s current sewer system has reached the end of its useful life. This project will reduce inflow and infiltration and improve redundancy and reliability. The city will pay 1.05% on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $990,000.

City of Elberton

The $2,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance improving the city’s water system. Improvements are needed to keep the water system in compliance with state and federal guidelines. This project will enhance reliability and efficiency of the water system. The city will pay 0.86% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,250,000.

City of Folkston

The $6,235,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance the upgrading and expanding the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The city’s current wastewater treatment plant is unable to meet the current permit due to aging equipment operating at near capacity. This project will treat the waste stream to a much higher standard and will allow for reasonable population growth. The city will pay 1.85% on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $950,000.

Franklin County Board of Commissioners

The $2,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance incorporating the city of Carnesville water system into the Franklin County water system. The county is negotiating with the city of Carnesville to acquire its water system, which was constructed in 1970 and is in need of repair. The county will pay 2.34% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to a portion of the project being a conservation activity. The city is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,250,000.

City of Jasper

The $4,500,000 CWSRF conservation loan will finance constructing a new lift station, installing sewer lines, and upgrading the sewer distribution system. This project will increase plant capacity and efficiency and reduce inflow and infiltration. The city will pay 2.36% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity.

The $3,500,000 DWSRF conservation loan will finance extending water main and upgrading the water treatment plant. This project will provide additional water supply, ensure reliability, and reduce the number of low-pressure areas in the system. The city will pay 2.28% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria and a portion of the project being a conservation activity. 

Warren County Board of Commissioners

The $2,000,000 CWSRF loan will finance installing a sewer pump station at Briarwood Academy and force main to connect the pump station to the city of Warrenton’s sewer system. This project will allow the county to abandon the unpermitted discharge at Briarwood Academy. The county will pay 1.89% interest on the 20-year loan. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to GEFA’s affordability criteria. The county is eligible for principal forgiveness up to $1,000,000.