ATLANTA (September 23, 2016) | Sen. William Ligon (R – Brunswick) and Rep. Ron Stephens (R – Savannah) are pleased to share that the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) awarded $92,000 for six Coastal Georgia Greenway (CGG) projects on September 14, 2016. Five of the projects received $17,800 and one was awarded $3,000. This funding was provided by the state of Georgia.
“I want to thank the members of Coastal Georgia Greenway, Inc. for their hard work on this project, and I want to commend the Coastal Regional Commission for their diligent efforts leveraging the proper funding to make this a reality,” said Sen. Ligon. “This Greenway will not only promote the health and well-being of Georgia residents, but it will attract new visitors from across the nation to our beautiful coast. It is an absolute win-win situation.”
“I am extremely grateful to the Coastal Regional Commission for this award, which will provide funding for the completion of a number of Coastal Georgia Greenway projects,” said Rep. Stephens. “I am proud of the dedication and determination exhibited by Costal Georgia Greenway, Inc.’s members, and it is an honor to support and help oversee this innovative project. The Greenway adds a new dimension to Georgia tourism, and our children, grandchildren and generations to come will thank us for taking this step.”
During the summer and fall of 2015, Sen. Ligon and Rep. Stephens co-chaired the Coastal Greenway Joint Study Committee, which studied the effects and feasibility of creating a separate paved trail from Savannah to St. Mary’s, to be known as the CGG. The Study Committee ultimately recommended the state and CRC secure funding for and implement construction on the CGG in four phases over the next 10 years. The CGG will be a crucial part of the East Coast Greenway (ECG) which will connect Maine to Florida.
“The Legislature approved $100,000 for this project and asked us to take the lead,” said Allen Burns, Executive Director of the Coastal Regional Commission. “The CRC invited counties and cities to respond to a request for proposal to apply for funding to implement the trail construction. The $92,000 provided by the state of Georgia allowed us to leverage an additional $2.4 million in private funding for these projects. I am pleased to say that all six projects submitted were approved for funding.”
The six projects receiving funding include:
- Chatham County, Canebrake Trail: 0.75 mile section of ECG connecting to other trail sections
- Tybee Island, Marsh Hen Trail: 0.42 mile section working to connect Tybee Island to the ECG
- City of Brunswick, US 17 bike lanes: 0.55 mile section of ECG connecting to other trail section
- Jekyll Island Authority, Causeway trail: 0.40 mile section working to connect Jekyll trails to ECG
- City of St. Marys, Tabby Trailhead: Construction of park and bathroom facilities on ECG trail
- McIntosh County, Highlander Trail – Design: Update plans for 4-miles of trail that connects to existing portion of ECG
“We are excited to get funding for these six projects and to get them underway this fall,” said Jo Claire Hickson, Executive Director of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, Inc. “We will continue to work within each of the local jurisdictions through which the trail passes, to raise grass roots support; as well as to seek additional funding from the state of Georgia in their 2018 budget.”
The Coastal Georgia Greenway is being built by public-private partnerships of local jurisdictions, bike clubs, non-profit organizations and citizens who are cooperating to build the trails. It is expected to be completed by 2025.
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For Immediate Release:
September 23, 2016
For Information Contact:
Ines Owens, Acting Director
Brittany Wagner, Communications Specialist
Brittany.wagner@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028