News From Around the State: Hall County Court Noms, Valdosta Honored Nationally, State Awards Infrastructure Loans

Georgia Communities Awarded Over $10 mil in Grants, Loans
Gov. Perdue announced Tuesday the approval of several state funded grants and loans totaling more than $10 million.

- Lamar County was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $2.4 million to help finance water system infrastructure improvements. The project will add new customers to the water system by eliminating approximately 176 private wells. Lamar County will pay zero percent interest on the 20-year loan along with a $500,000 subsidy. The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) is financing the entire estimated cost of the $2.9 million project.

- The city of Springfield was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $1.3to help finance improvements to the water system infrastructure. The city will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,523,484 with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority providing the remaining funds of $1.1.

- The city of Woodstock was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $3.5 milliom to help finance repairs and replacement of sewer system infrastructure. The city will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total cost is $3.5 million with GEFA providing the entire amount.

- The city of Hinesville was approved for a water reuse grant of $300,000 to help finance construction of reuse water distribution lines to provide irrigation at county facilities, the Cherokee Rose Country Club and Fort Stewart.

- The Middle Georgia Regional Solid Waste Authority was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $530,000 to help finance the construction of two new cells at the authority’s landfill. The authority will pay 4.27 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total cost is $530,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.

Judicial Nominating Commission Submits Hall County Recommendations

Gov. Sonny Perdue’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) has submitted recommendations to fill the vacancies on the State Court of Hall County. The vacancy on the State Court of Hall County was created with the passage of House Bill 1456 during the 2008 Legislative Session.

The JNC submitted recommendations to fill the vacancy within the State Court of Hall County:

- Larry A. Baldwin III – Solicitor-General; Hall County
- Ann Adams Shuler – Private Practice; Stephens & Shuler

Valdosta Recognized by ESPN
Valdosta has been selected from more than 3,000 towns and cities nationwide as one of ESPN’s 20 finalists to be voted on as America’s TitleTown.

Valdosta has produced 439 championships so far, most notably from Valdosta High School, Lowndes High School and Valdosta State University. The town is nicknamed, “Winnersville.”