City to apply for third TE grant
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The City of Millen recently signed an agreement with the C.S.R.A. Regional Development Center authorizing the agency to begin preparation of a third Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant application.

The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded the city a $500,000 TE grant in 2004 for the purpose of renovating and promoting economic development in downtown Millen. An additional $350,000 TE grant was awarded the city in 2005.

Due to the increased cost of materials, Millen City Council later voted to combine the two projects and bid them out as one with hopes of securing better bids. It was estimated that combining the projects could save as much as $75,000.

Al Knight, city administrator, explained that although environmental clearance had already been received on Phase I, combining the two projects made it necessary to reapply.

"We are just waiting for the environmental clearance on both phases now," Knight said. Once that is received, the projects can be offered for bids. This could occur within the next two months, Knight said.

Phase I of the TE grant project will incorporate green space into Cotton Avenue, enhance lighting, make the sidewalks handicap accessible and provide for parallel parking on the store side of the street. Phase II provides for construction of additional parking lots on the railroad side of the street and other improvements.

If the third grant application is approved, funds awarded would be used to complete work on Cotton Avenue as well as initiate some improvements on Winthrope Avenue.

Federal funds available under the TE grant program provide 80 percent of the total project cost. The sponsor's local match must be at least 20 percent of the total project cost and may be cash, in-kind services or donated services, materials or real estate.