Cusseta–Chattahoochee County releases Comprehensive Plan update; water, sewer and downtown work prioritized

The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County and the River Valley Regional Commission published a draft Comprehensive Plan Update that sets priorities for infrastructure, housing and economic development through 2031. The plan identifies water distribution improvements, a county sewer system to support growth, street repairs and downtown streetscape work as near-term priorities.

The document, prepared with RVRC assistance, says the county’s public facilities “have the capacity to meet future demand for the next 15 to 20 years” with one exception: water distribution and sewer service. The plan notes water distribution “has six to ten years of life” given present distribution problems and that a sewer system will be required for additional growth; an agreement exists to connect to Fort Benning/Columbus systems once funding is secured.

The plan’s community work program lists specific projects and estimated costs: Phase 2 of remodeling the old city hall into a museum and welcome center ($100,000); addition of a pad‑ready building site ($75,000); continuation of street improvements ($610,000, funded by UGOCCC, LMIG, CDBG and grant funds); updating Broad Street sewer (planning/engineering underway; $1,000,000 requested from UGOCCC, CDBG and grants); and multi‑use trails ($1,000,000). Where funding sources are listed, the plan identifies combinations of local government funds and state or federal grants (CDBG, GDOT, USDA telecom grants, BEAD-related programs).

The plan references state planning standards (O.C.G.A. 110‑12‑1) and federal/state broadband programs such as Georgia’s ACE Act (SB 402) and the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative. It documents broadband gaps in the county: 1,174 locations with fixed broadband service, 1,011 locations encumbered by grant commitments for fiber projects, and 118 remaining unserved locations that the county says it will continue to target for deployment.

An executive summary frames the plan around preserving the county’s rural character while leveraging proximity to Fort Benning and Columbus to attract residential, commercial and light industrial development. Character area guidance covers agriculture and conservation areas, a Cusseta corridor vision with streetscaping and pedestrian access, Fort Benning‑adjacent commercial compatibility, and standards for infill and higher‑density development where public water and sewer exist.

The document sets a formal schedule that lists initial public engagement (June 24, 2025) and a final public hearing on Dec. 11, 2025, before submittal to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The plan cites recent accomplishments (neighborhood service center rehabilitation, ADA playground, streetscape planning) and ongoing projects (Broad Street redevelopment, sewer planning, River Bend Park improvements) and includes a catalog of resident survey responses reflecting priorities and service concerns.

The plan, the RVRC and county staff are the source documents; the public may review drafts and maps and attend the scheduled final public hearing on Dec. 11, 2025.