Governor Brian Kemp announced his appointees to the bipartisan Georgia Jobs and Infrastructure Committees. The groups will help decide where the state will spend about $4.8 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds.

State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, is one of 16 members on the Economic Impact Committee. Kemp also set up a committee on broadband and one on water and sewer.  Hufstetler represents a small portion of Chattooga County in his district.

“These committees will ensure federal coronavirus relief dollars are allocated strategically across our state and address one-time funding needs in these three key areas,” Kemp said.

Hufstetler said the money is meant to address issues worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is wide latitude on how those dollars can be spent. Kemp said the committees will be taking grant applications from Aug. 1-31 at opb.georgia.gov. State government entities, units of local government, industries, and nonprofits will be eligible to apply.

Awards are targeted to be announced the week of Oct. 18, but all the dates are subject to change as guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury continues to evolve.

Rome News Tribune