Appling County commissioners heard a public hearing presentation on a federal Community Development Block Grant award that staff say will fund essential storm drainage and street improvements in several county neighborhoods.

Rich Bennett, director of economic and community development for the Heart of Georgia Altima Regional Commission, told the commission that on Oct. 6, 2025, Appling County was formally awarded $1,000,000 under the CDBG program. He said the total project cost is $1,835,000 and that a local match of $835,786 will come from Flint County using Transportation Investment Act dollars and SPLOST funds. "The the grant was, dollars 1,000,000," Bennett said during his presentation.

Bennett outlined the planned work, saying the funds will go to improvements on Manning Williams Road, David Williams Road, Coop Jones Street and Gibbs Street. He said the project was certified to meet CDBG's national objective of primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income residents. "These funds will be specifically used for essential storm drainage and street improvements," he said.

Federal compliance requirements were a central part of the presentation. Bennett told commissioners Appling County must follow the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (URA), complete environmental reviews consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), consult the State Historic Preservation Office and tribal authorities as needed, and comply with HUD requirements including Section 3 hiring preferences. Bennett also noted obligations under civil rights, fair housing and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

On timing, Bennett said the next step is design work, which he estimated will take about nine months. "The next step is design, which is gonna take 9 months," he said, and after procurement and contracting there will be mobilization; he estimated it will be roughly a year before construction starts. He asked attendees and commissioners to sign required attendance forms for the federal public hearing record.

Commissioners and the presenter took a few brief questions about the total award and schedule; Bennett repeated the figures and reiterated the compliance steps. He also said staff are working to have the paperwork ready for commission signatures as part of the award-acceptance process.

The public hearing closed after the presentation and brief Q&A; Bennett thanked attendees and asked them to sign the hearing documentation before leaving.