Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI)

Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) is sponsored by OneGeorgia Authority (Georgia Department of Community Affairs). RSDI grants are awarded for either site improvement or to assist with the costs of seeking Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification on approved projects critical to economic development in rural areas of the state.

Site Development Initiative | Georgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia Department of Economic Development In order to remain competitive when speed to market is key, development-ready sites across Georgia must be continuously identified, assessed, and certified.

The purpose of this program is to assist local communities with developing community-submitted sites critical to economic development across Georgia through the OneGeorgia Authority. Submitted sites will be vetted semi-annually by the Departments of Economic Development and Community Affairs to receive approval for funding. Approved sites will have various levels of funding matched by the communities based on the criteria listed below.

Site and Program Requirements Applicant must be a development authority and site must be at least 50 contiguous acres. One application per development authority per year; one application per site. Site must be publicly owned at the time of application for a Site Improvement Grant or Survey and Due Diligence Grant.

If the site is not publicly owned, it must be under option by a development authority for three (3) years prior to grant being awarded. Sites receiving Survey and Due Diligence Grant must commit to GRAD certification within one (1) year. Supporting documentation such as a Preliminary Engineering Report, maps, etc. should be submitted with the application.

Community Match for Funds Generally, eligible counties should provide at least a 10% match of grant amount. Conditionally eligible counties must match a minimum of 25% of grant amount. the OneGeorgia Authority Official Map of Eligible Counties Grant Amounts and GRAD Partnership Award Amount: Up to $2 Million Existing GRAD sites are encouraged to apply for a Site Improvement Grant.

Examples of Eligible Costs: land acquisition (required, if site is privately owned) and expansion property grading, clearing, and, grubbing infrastructure development acceleration/deceleration turn lanes water/sewer line construction or relocation engineering or other fees required for site development plans Site Improvement Grant Pre-Application Survey and Due Diligence Grant (GRAD Scholarship) Award Amount: Up to $250,000 This grant offers a pathway to GRAD certification for communities that may have monetary constraints.

Therefore, sites that receive this grant will be required to pursue GRAD certification within 3 years. Examples of Eligible Costs: cost for GRAD certification requirements Rural Site Development Initiative Notice of Funding Availability Rural Site Development Initiative Notice of Funding Availability