GEFA Approves Water, Sewer Infrastructure Projects Totaling $85.5 Million for Eight Georgia Communities

ATLANTA – As part of Governor Sonny Perdue’s vision for sustainable economic development, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Executive Director Phil Foil announced today the approval of financing for nine environmental infrastructure projects totaling $86 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure improvements for the cities of Atlanta, Clayton, Cornelia and LaFayette, Bryan County, Carroll County Water Authority, Cobb County and the Lumpkin County Water & Sewage Authority.

            “Investment in our state’s water and sewer infrastructure promotes the stewardship of our natural resources and helps to meet Georgia’s future water needs,” said Governor Perdue. “The projects approved today will improve water system efficiency and will ensure clean and safe water for our citizens.”

            “The water, sewer and solid waste programs administered by GEFA assist local governments with improving their environmental infrastructure,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil. “Financing water, sewer and solid waste projects encourages economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.”

            Foil expressed appreciation to Governor Perdue and to the members of the General Assembly for their support. He credited Governor Perdue’s commitment to helping Georgia cities and counties finance infrastructure development as one of the main contributors to GEFA’s success. 

            “GEFA financing for water, sewer and solid waste infrastructure helps communities in all areas of the state,” said Gerald Thompson, chairman of the GEFA board of directors and mayor of the city of Fitzgerald. “The projects that we agreed to finance today demonstrate that GEFA is investing in communities that are willing to invest in themselves.”

            GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development through the provision of low-interest loans. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for wastewater infrastructure and water pollution abatement projects. Eligible projects include a wide variety of storm water and wastewater collection and treatment projects.

            The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for water infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include public health-related water supply construction.

            The Georgia Fund is a state-funded program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The program has maximum flexibility and accessibility, and offers fast loan and grant approvals. The Georgia Fund provides loans and grants to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters.  Low-interest loans from this program are available up to $3 million.

            Below are details of the loans approved today:

City of Atlanta

The city of Atlanta was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $7 million to finance upgrades to the R.M. Clayton Wastewater Treatment Plant. A combined heat and power recovery system will help produce 11 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year, approximately 16 percent of the electricity consumption of the plant, which will yield as much as $1.2 million per year in energy cost savings. The city of Atlanta will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan for $7 million. The total project cost is $7.56 million, with the city of Atlanta funding $560,000 and receiving 50 percent of the first $5 million in principal forgiveness because the water distribution system rehabilitation qualifies as a green project.

The city of Atlanta was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $40 million and a Georgia Fund Loan of $3 million to finance new sewer line and sewer rehabilitation. The city of Atlanta will pay 3.81 percent interest on the 20-year Georgia Fund loan for $3,000,000. The city of Atlanta will also pay three percent interest on the 20-year Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for $40 million, with 15 percent of the first $5 million in principal to be forgiven. The total cost of the project is $46.1 million, with the city providing $3.1 million in funds.

BryanCounty

Bryan County was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $3 million to finance a groundwater well and two sewage pump stations. The county will pay a 3.81 percent interest rate on the 20-year loan of $3 million. The total project cost is $4.49 million, with GEFA providing the entire amount in two phases. Phase I funding totals $3 million. The county is eligible for Phase II funding of $1.49 million in calendar year 2011.

Carroll County Water Authority

Carroll County Water Authority was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $4.8 million to finance water distribution system improvements. The Carroll County Water Authority will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan for $4.8 million, the total amount of the project, with 30 percent of the principal to be forgiven.

City of Clayton

The city of Clayton was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $750,000 to finance new lines for the water distribution system, which will reduce water loss and make the water system more efficient. The city of Clayton will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan for $750,000, the total amount of the project, with 50 percent of the principal to be forgiven because the water distribution system rehabilitation qualifies as a green project.

CobbCounty

Cobb County was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $25 million to finance phase four of a multiphase project to rehabilitate the South Cobb Water Reclamation Facility. GEFA previously approved $105 million for the first three phases of the project. Cobb County will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan for $25 million with the county receiving 15 percent of the first $5 million drawn in principal forgiveness.

City of Cornelia

The city of Cornelia was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $985,241 to finance the construction of additions to the city’s wastewater collection system. The city of Cornelia will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan for $985,241. The total project cost is $985,241, with the county receiving 15 percent in principal forgiveness.

City of LaFayette

The city of LaFayette was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $500,000 to finance wastewater infrastructure, including a diffusion air system and chlorination system modifications. The city of LaFayette will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan for $500,000. The total project cost is $800,000, with the county receiving 15 percent in principal forgiveness, and the balance of $300,000 paid through an Energy Efficient Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from GEFA.

LumpkinCountyWater & Sewage Authority

Lumpkin County Water & Sewage Authority was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $408,000 to finance well rehabilitation to improve water quality and reliability. The Lumpkin County Water & Sewage Authority will pay three percent interest on a 20-year loan for $408,000, the total amount of the project, with 30 percent of the principal to be forgiven.

            Cities and counties interested in more information regarding GEFA loans should visit www.gefa.org or call (404) 584-1000.

About the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (www.gefa.org)

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) provides energy, land and water resources resulting in an improved quality of life for today and future generations. GEFA is the lead agency for state energy programs and is home to the Center of Innovation for Energy; directs the Georgia Land Conservation Program and maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure. Since 1985, GEFA has approved financial commitments totaling more than $2 billion to local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.gefa.org.

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