VALDOSTA — Mayor Scott Matheson, along with City Manager Richard Hardy, Assistant City Manager Catherine Ammons, and Neighborhood Development/Community Protection Manager Anetra Riley, welcomed U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s chief of staff, Rey Benitez, for a tour of Valdosta’s recent community improvements.
The City of Valdosta, in a press release late last week, said the tour began with a driving tour of newly reconstructed and rebuilt homes funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. During the tour, Benitez observed the transformative impact of CDBG funds on housing revitalization, the city said. He engaged with a homeowner, a beneficiary of the CDBG program, who shared an inspiring story of how the program has positively impacted her life.
The group also visited the construction site of the Harvest Station Apartments, a project to which the City of Valdosta, in partnership with the Valdosta Housing Authority, has allocated $3.3 million in ARPA funds. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality of life for Valdosta residents by providing essential housing solutions and fostering community development, the city press release said.
The tour ended at the newly renovated McMullen Southside Library. The updated facility exemplifies the city’s commitment to promoting education and providing valuable resources to its residents, the city said.
“The tour highlighted the incredible progress we’ve made as a community,” Matheson said. “Through strategic partnerships and effective use of ARPA and CDBG funds, we’re not just building homes and facilities; we’re building a brighter future for all Valdosta residents. Our collective efforts are transforming our city, one project at a time.”
For more information about the city’s efforts, please contact Marketing/Community Relations Manager Sharah’ Denton at sdenton@valdostacity.com.