Greensboro Receives Grant for Highway Beautification

Georgia Department of Transportation Awards 2014 GATEway Grants for Community Landscape Projects

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently awarded more than  $1,346,000 for the 2014 GATEway Grants to 43 local government entities around the state.  Funds from the grants are used to reimburse local government when purchasing and installing plant material for landscape projects on state routes.

“This is a wonderful chance to partner with our local governments as they improve the landscape throughout Georgia,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said.  “We want to seize every opportunity available to us to show our local governments just how committed we are to them and to this great state.”

Greensboro’s GATEway grant will fund landscaping on the state right-of-way at the Highway 278 and Highway 15 split on the eastern edge of the city.  The project will include the removal of asphalt at the large traffic triangle. The asphalt will be replaced with landscaping including grass, flowering shrubs and trees.

“Greensboro is actively working to improve the appearance of our city’s entryways,” explains Greensboro’s Community Development Director Cail Hammons.  “This project is a great way to make our city more attractive for tourists and residents.”

Eighty-three applications were submitted. Project proposals ranged from interstate interchange panoramas to landscape embellishment of city entrance signs.  Forty-three submissions were funded in the first round of awards after review by the Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council.

The Council is comprised of twelve members, appointed by the Governor.  Members include the chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, the chairperson of the House Transportation Committee, the GDOT Deputy Commissioner, a member of the Georgia Conservancy, a member from the Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc,. a member of the faculty of the School of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia,  member from the Sierra Club, a member from the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and four members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia, Inc.

The GATEway Grant program uses revenue collected from permit fees for vegetation removal in front of outdoor advertising signs.

Any organization, local government, or state agency can apply for a grant up to $50,000.00 contingent upon authorization by a local government and an agreement to perpetually maintain the project.  A primary goal of the GATEway Grant program is to fund enduring enhancements to roadsides utilized by the traveling public.