News

August 27, 2020

The City of Statesboro announced today the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has increased its original funding allocation for the Blue Mile streetscape project to $1,193,000 or 70% of the construction project cost depending on which is less. GDOT had previously committed up to $450,000 in 2017 to the city for infrastructure improvements to South Main Street, specifically, the stretch from Tillman Road to Brannen Street along the Blue Mile.

The City of Statesboro requested additional funding from GDOT at the beginning of June 2020 citing a change in the scope of the project. The project was initially part of GDOT’s maintenance program to replace and upgrade storm drainage along South Main Street and address flooding issues.

“The drainage project was to be completed by July 1, 2020; however, the City was unable to meet the completion deadline,” said John Washington, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the City of Statesboro. “The City had also been simultaneously working on a streetscape improvement project for the Blue Mile during this time. To achieve the best results for both projects, it was proposed to combine the two projects into one. The total cost of the combined projects was in excess of GDOT’s original maintenance funding thus requiring a request for grant funding.”

The grant funds will be provided by GDOT’s Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG). The Blue Mile streetscape project is slated to start in early 2021 and will include drainage updates, sidewalk widening, utility relocation, bus shelters for the new transit program, enhanced driveway access points for vehicle entry that will provide safe crossing points for pedestrians, and landscaped pocket parks for pedestrians to pause along the Blue Mile.

“This additional funding will allow us to move the streetscape project forward,” said Washington. “The Blue Mile is an integral part of Statesboro’s identity, and we are excited to finally be able to give it the revitalization and attention it deserves.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $3.8 million which will be funded through GDOT grant funds, local TSPLOST funds, and the city’s Public Utilities Department. The City of Statesboro plans to hold public input sessions in the coming weeks to hear from residents and property owners regarding the proposed improvements for the Blue Mile.

The Blue Mile streetscape project is part of the city’s ongoing partnership with the Blue Mile Foundation which strives to restore the corridor as a safe and desirable place to live with a vibrant commercial and artistic hub serving a nine-county region.

July 7, 2020

The City of Statesboro and Georgia Southern’s Business Innovation Group are pleased to announce the awarding of $28,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to 14 local businesses in Statesboro and Bulloch County. Recipients were selected by the Business Innovation Group through a multi-step application process that included an online application and documentation demonstrating the impact of COVID-19 on their business.  The award funds were provided by the “Love Ur City” fundraising campaign which the City of Statesboro sponsored in May to provide relief to businesses and families in Statesboro and Bulloch County that had been financially impacted by the pandemic. (more…)

July 6, 2020

Mayor McCollar Elected First Vice President of GMA District 12

Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar was elected first vice president of the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) District 12 during the association’s virtual annual meeting on July 2.  He is now in line to become president of the district.

“I am honored to have been selected as a representative and advocate for District 12,” said McCollar. “I look forward to serving and advancing the interests of Statesboro and all other cities within the district.”

In this role, McCollar will serve as a liaison between GMA and municipal officials in GMA’s District 12.  He will also attend GMA-sponsored events, including the association’s annual convention; promote engagement in GMA activities and programs with other cities in the district; advocate for GMA’s legislative priorities, and share with GMA staff any needs and concerns of member cities in their district. As the District 12 First Vice President, McCollar will also serve on the GMA Board of Directors.

2020-2021 District 12 officers include President Hugh “Bubba” Hodge, Mayor of Darien, First Vice President Jonathan McCollar, Mayor of Statesboro, Second Vice President Beth Goette, Mayor of Thunderbolt, and Third Vice President Allen Brown, Mayor of Hinesville.

Created in 1933, GMA is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its members. GMA currently represents 537 cities in Georgia.

Statesboro was named 2018’s 23rd Best Small City to Start a Business in a recent study from the leading personal finance outlet WalletHub.com.

To determine the most business-friendly small markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared more than 1,200 small-sized cities across 18 key metrics. The data set ranges from average growth in number of small businesses to investor access to labor costs.

Starting a Business in Statesboro (1=Best; 631=Avg.):

• 175th – Human-Resource Availability
• 481st – Office-Space Affordability
• 4th – Labor Costs
• 277th – Average Growth of Business Revenues
• 53rd – Investor Access

To view the full study click HERE.

Statesboro was recognized as one of seven cities in Forbes Magazine as an affordable place to live and be an entrepreneur.  Check out the article here – “Quit Your Job: 7 Places In The U.S. So Cheap You Can Afford To Be An Entrepreneur“.