The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) through the OneGeorgia Authority (OGA) has funding available to assist local communities construct new housing for sale. Funding is available as a grant to the county for infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, stormwater, sidewalks, etc.) needed to support a development and as a low interest (possibly zero interest) loan to a developer for construction financing.
The maximum amount of the infrastructure grant is $2.5 million, and the maximum amount of construction loan is $1 million. OGA will provide up to 40% of the loan, and the developer must demonstrate that they are able to secure financing for the other 60%. Developments must comply with state environmental and historic preservation requirements.
The county is offering 124 Ogden Rd to the successful bidder, if the grant is awarded, to build homes. 124 Ogden Rd is a 21-acre parcel (Parcel Number M7 003B). A small segment of the parcel, approximately 2.5 acres, was an inert landfill that the county cleaned up. A soil test should be done to determine where the houses can be built. The prior inert landfill section may make an excellent greenspace. The county will apply to OGA and is requesting that interested developers submit a development proposal to include the following information:
• References and qualifications of developer
• Documentation that the developer is able to secure the other 60% financing through either their own equity or through a local lender
• Number of units to be built, types of units (single family detached, duplexes), price points (these should be starter homes that have a selling price between $125,000 and $290,000)
• Site plan with a preliminary engineering report to include but not be limited to all costs associated with the development, property control, zoning, permits, etc.
• Estimated schedule to include start date and completion date — OGA will allow a 2-year period to start and complete the project — schedule should include milestones
• A marketing plan that describes efforts to recruit local workers to purchase the homes Developers should submit a development proposal to County Manager Carlos Tobar at ctobar@baldwincountyga. com on or before noon on Oct. 3.
— Contributed