City of Blue Ridge Awarded $500,000 Grant
 for Water System Improvements

ATLANTA — Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that the City of Blue Ridge has been awarded a $500,000 grant to make improvements to its public water system. The grant award is made through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

“Blue Ridge is one of Georgia’s great small towns and it continually attracts new visitors and residents each year,” said Speaker David Ralston. “This grant will go toward maintaining and improving our public water system, and I appreciate the work of state officials and local partners in making this possible.”

The grant will fund water improvements in the Orchard Boulevard Neighborhood and will benefit more than 150 people. The project includes looping dead end water lines, installation of the new six-inch PVC water main, fire hydrants, valves, meters, and service connections.

“As Blue Ridge continues to grow and prosper, we are constantly planning for the future and making strategic investments in our infrastructure,” said Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener. “By working with state and federal partners, we leverage our investment and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

This CBDG grant is one of 68 awarded to communities across the state this week. Georgia’s CDBG program annually supports projects in small and rural communities that create jobs. Awards will be used for specific projects such as water, sewer, drainage or street improvements, revitalization of targeted neighborhoods, and construction of facilities such as health, youth and senior centers.