Local Government Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement 

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is committed to cleaning up scrap tires in Georgia and encourages local governments to assist with this effort by applying to the Local Government Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement (STAR) Grant.

Local governments, which includes cities, counties, and solid waste management authorities, are eligible for this grant that covers the costs of removing, transporting, and processing scrap tires cleaned up from local government led abatement projects (scrap tire dumps), removed from city and county rights-of-way, and collected during scrap tire collection (amnesty) events. The STAR Grant is open for applications year-round and eligible applicants may receive up to $75,000 each state fiscal year.

• Guidance documents and FAQs may be found here on EPD’s website.
• Access the STAR Grant Portal here.

Rural Workforce Housing Initiative Construction Loan 

Local governments can now apply for a Rural Workforce Housing Initiative Construction Loan Fund. The Fund provides construction loans of up to $1 million at 0% to develop new homes with a sale price of between $125,000 - $290,000 for homebuyers. Funds are available to cover 40% of the development cost, with the remaining budget provided through other fund sources. Funds will be awarded to developments that can have the homes ready for sale within two years of the loan award date. 

Program details can be found on the DCA website here.

Funding Available Through OneGeorgia Authority

OneGeorgia Authority has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Rural WorkForce Housing Initiative. OneGeorgia Authority is responsible for providing grant support for economic activities including infrastructure development, business relocation assistance and entrepreneur support. NOFA specifically outlines available financial assistance for activities that result in housing that meet the needs of working families and individuals who consider relocating for employment. Workforce Housing funds will be awarded on a competitve basis to projects that demonstrate an ability to address the following: 

• Ongoing workforce housing needs, identified by a recent housing study
• Difficulty satisfying workforce needs in either communities or regions with low unemployment 
• A community or regional commitment to expand and improve exisiting housing stock

For more information about the application process and the deadline, visit the website here.

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and the Recreational Trails Program

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) provides funding and support for state parks, wildlife management, and conservation lands. The loan program is administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and was authorirized by the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act of 2019. All eligible applicants include qualified local goverments—these will be determined by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)—as well as constituted recreation authorities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities with a core mission of conservation. 

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) supports recreational trails and trail-related facilities for nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail use. All eligible applicants include qualified local government officials—this will also determined by the DCA—authorized commissions, state agencies, and federal agencies. Nongovernmental entities with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may only apply for educations funds. 

DNR Grants staff will also conduct one in-person and one webinar-based educational workship about GOSP and RTP. These workships will be at no extra cost, but registration is required.

• Visit the DNR website here for information about GOSP funding cycle deadlines and access to registration links for the educational workshop. 
• For information about the RTP funding cycle and registration links as well, click here.

Environmental Protection Divison Funding Available for Local Landfill Remediation 

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is providing funding through the Georgia Hazardous Waste Trust Fund to reimburse local governments for cleanup of leaking landfills. For more information about county eligibility and the application for funding, click here.

FEDERAL