Senator Walker Hails Investment in Rural Georgia with Dublin-Laurens and Pulaski Counties' Development Grants

Senator Larry Walker III is tipping his hat to the state's commitment to bolstering rural economic development following Governor Brian Kemp's announcement of new grants. According to a recent statement by the Senate Press, these grants are part of the Rural Site Development Initiative, promising a stack of cash aimed at infrastructure enhancements within Dublin-Laurens County and Pulaski County.

The funds are no small drop in the bucket, with Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority snagging a $2 million improvement grant focused on sewage and drainage at the Georgia Highway 257 Rail Site. This 250-acre GRAD Select-certified location, now flush with potential, is looking at more than $6 million from local leaders backing these infrastructure improvements critical, for industrial expansion. Sen. Walker praised the collaborative spirit, "These investments show exactly what it looks like when state and local leaders work together to build a brighter economic future for rural Georgia," according to the Senate Press.

Pulaski County's not left in the cold either. The Pulaski County-Hawkinsville Development Authority is pocketing a $31,455 GRAD Certification Scholarship to polish the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Industrial Park until it sparkles with opportunity. Spread over 170 acres, the park is now set to attract big-name employers and give the job scene a serious leg-up.

Combined, these investments form a strategy by the OneGeorgia Authority and the Department of Community Affairs to strengthen Georgia's competitive edge. "With strong infrastructure and certified, development-ready sites, Laurens and Pulaski counties are better positioned than ever to compete for private investment, good-paying jobs, and long-term prosperity," Sen. Walker noted in the same statement by the Senate Press. It's clear that official efforts are trained on ensuring these rural regions aren't overlooked in the bigger economic picture, offering a glimpse at what small-town hustle, backed by serious dollars, might achieve.

For those eyeing the details or considering a deep-dive into the Rural Site Development Initiative's inner workings, more information waits at the Department of Community Affairs' website. It seems, as the grant checks get cashed, Georgia's rural heartbeat might just be getting a little stronger.