ATLANTA (December 5, 2008) – State Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) has secured $500,000 in equity grant funds for sewer infrastructure improvements to support the expansion of the D. Ray James State Prison in Charlton County. The project will create at least 51 new jobs and generate $34.5 million in private investment.
“I am pleased the expansion of the D. Ray James State Prison will create new job opportunities for county residents since Georgia’s unemployment rate recently hit a 16-year high of 7 percent,” said Sen. Chapman. “I want to thank OneGeorgia Authority for providing our county with this much needed funding, which will help continue making Charlton County a place where people are proud to work and live.”
The state prison is privately owned and operated by Cornell Companies, Inc. (CCI). CCI currently is the largest industry in Charlton county housing 2,080 inmates and with 317 employees. The City of Folkston must expand its wastewater treatment facility in order to meet future demands on the public sewer system with the prison expansion.
The Equity Fund Grant program is administered by the OneGeorgia Authority, which serves as a financial partner and catalyst in helping rural communities maintain excellent quality of life while also creating sustainable and diversified economies.
Sen. Jeff Chapman represents the 3rd Senate District which includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0045 or by e-mail at jeff.chapman@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
December 5, 2008
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
Ravae Graham, Communications Specialist
ravae.graham@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028