Grant will Double Size of Senior Center

When Douglas County officials received word that they had received a $500,000 grant to expand the , many of the senior citizens who utilize the building had a party.

That’s what Tom Worthan, , said during Tuesday’s legislative meeting when the board voted unanimously to accept the Community Development Block Grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

“Those seniors were tickled to death,” Worthan said.

Worthan said that approximately 4,000 senior citizens use the Woodie Fite Senior Center many of whom sent letters and emails in support of the grant application. They also conducted surveys and participated in public hearings regarding the project.

“You name it, they put in the effort,” Worthan said.

The expansion will add 5,000 square feet, which is almost twice the building’s current size.

“It’s certainly an asset to Douglas County as our residents continue to age,” Worthan said.

Douglas County was one of 70 recipients state-wide, and said all cities and counties not currently receiving CDBG allocations were eligible to apply for the grants.

“We had some very, very stiff competition,” said Robin Bishop, the county’s grant writer. “We did really well.”

Commissioner Kelly Robinson said the project is a “long time coming” and that Douglas County received the highest amount possible.

“This was an important grant for us,” Robinson said.

Bishop said work on the project can begin once county officials attend a workshop in Macon in two weeks. Construction is expected to take 12 months.

The board also voted to allow Fire chief Scott Spencer to apply for a $348,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase three ambulances. The county will be required to pay a 25 percent match, which totals $87,000.

Commissioner Mike Mulcare says some of the county’s ambulances have more than 200,000 miles on them.

“This is badly needed equipment,” Mulcare said.

Spencer told the board during its work session last week that this is one of the few federal programs earmarked for fire services. Spencer said the county received a similar grant in 2003.

“This is a highly competitive grant, but we feel confident we’ll at least be in the running,” he said.

The ambulances will come “ready to go” with equipment, such as stretchers. County officials should hear if they will receive the grant in three to six months.

County officials allotted funds from the 2002 Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax for six ambulances and still have SPLOST funds to purchase one additional ambulance.