The Georgia DOT (GDOT) announced $821,163 this week in 2020 Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grants—formerly known as the GATEway Grant program.
GDOT received 37 applications and selected 22 recipients. Recipients include one county, 17 cities, and four community improvement districts. Eight recipients have been granted the maximum award of $50,000. The mission of the REBC Grant program is to provide funding for enhancement and beautification projects along Georgia's roadsides.
"The REBC Grant Program is a great opportunity for local organizations and governments to show pride in their communities by beautifying the right-of-way along state routes," GDOT Landscape Architect Manager Felicity Davis said in a statement. “We are excited to partner with these 22 organizations to enhance their local communities.”
Since 2008, GDOT has awarded 164 grants totaling more than $5 million to governments and community improvement districts around the state. The grant program uses revenue from contributory value fees paid by outdoor advertising companies to GDOT for vegetation removal in front of outdoor advertising signs. Funds from the grants are allocated towards purchasing and installing plant material along state routes throughout the state.
Any local government, community improvement district, or state agency may apply for grants (maximum $50,000) for landscape enhancement of the state right-of-way that involves the local community and displays the right-of-way in an attractive manner promoting further pride in Georgia, according to GDOT. Awarded grant funds may be used for landscape plant material, sod, topsoil, mulch, and labor costs associated with the approved items. GDOT requires a long-term maintenance commitment for any landscape installed under the REBC Grant program. The REBC requires the use of Georgia Grown materials for projects.
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SOURCE: Georgia DOT
