Grant Opportunity for Infrastructure Improvements

Grant Opportunity for Infrastructure Improvements

City Manager Bret Bell, City Engineer Pete Gulbronson, and Water & Sewer Director Daryl McCorkle met last week with Judy Adler of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to discuss potential funding opportunities aimed at addressing sanitary sewer inflow and infiltration issues affecting the south end of Tybee Island.

GEFA recently announced a one-time Hurricane Helene Resilience Funding opportunity for counties designated as disaster areas, including Chatham County. The program is designed to enhance the resilience of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in small communities. Under this program, GEFA may waive 30–50% of the loan principal for qualifying projects. Ms. Adler expressed optimism that several of the projects currently being identified to mitigate large, rain-induced sewage spills could qualify for this funding. City staff are compiling a project list to submit as part of the Helene program application by the December 31 deadline.

During the meeting, the group also toured the Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a City-hired contractor, BRW Construction, was using heavy equipment to repair a faulty drain valve on clarifier No. 1. The repair required excavation more than ten feet deep to locate the valve. The work has since been completed, and the valve is now fully operational—serving as a reminder of the complex and demanding work required each day to maintain and operate the City’s utility systems.