The City of Hawkinsville applied for and received a $500,000 CBDG grant (Community Block Development Grant) from the state of Georgia for the purpose of rebuilding the water lines in Orchard Hill Street Subdivision.  Orchard Hill Street subdivision is located adjacent to the Hawkinsville City limits but receives (at a higher cost than city residents) city water services.   However, the water lines are very very old and very small.  They are inadequate to service the neighborhood.  This section is one of the primary problem areas for our city crews being called out for repairs.   By replacing the lines, we will not only offer cleaner, safer water with better pressure, but we will also be able to install Fire Hydrants in the neighborhood that will increase the safety of the area AND reduce the homeowners’ fire insurance costs.   AND reduce our maintenance costs as well.

And after bidding out the work, we realized that we were going to be able to come in way under budget.   Rather than send the money back to the state, we asked for a scope enlargement and added the Forest Hill Circle Subdivision to the project.   Forest Hill will also receive new lines and fire hydrants.

Local Resident Lance Woods of Ocmulgee Engineering worked with us on designing and engineering these improvements.

There are many many areas in the city that desperately  need infrastructure improvements.   But without these grants, it would be next to impossible for us to afford.    In order to qualify for these CBDC grants, the area has to meet certain qualifications including medium income limitations.    Some of the areas that need improvement, do not meet these medium income criteria.  Therefore these areas can only be done with local money.     Therefore, we have designated 1.5 million dollars from the upcoming SPLOST election budget to fund street, utility, gas, and other infrastructure improvements.    That vote will take place on July 20th and will hopefully allow us to make other major improvements over the 6 year life of the SPLOST.  (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)

Shelly