Franklin County Applies for Grant in Anticipation of Renewable Energy Power Plant

Franklin County is preparing for the construction of a large renewable energy power plant and has applied for a OneGeorgia grant to expand and improve the infrastructure in and around the plant.

In December, a State Legislative Delegation that included Senator John Wilkinson of Toccoa, Senator Frank Ginn of Danielsville, and Representative Alan Powell of Hartwell, announced two new renewable energy power plants are coming to Franklin and Madison Counties.

Construction has already begun on the two $180-million dollar plants that are expected to bring 1,000 long-term, high paying jobs to Northeast Georgia.

At their regular meeting, County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges asked the Board to review the application before voting.

Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas said the county is also seeking additional grants for the same project.

“We have one of the largest investments coming to Franklin County in this renewable power plant. In order for them to operate, they will become a very heavy water user, one of our largest customers. In order to produce the water they need for production, there are some infrastructure improvements the county needs to make,” said Thomas.

Thomas said funding the needed improvements required some help, so the county is seeking grants from two sources.

“Those improvements come with a price tag. In order to best facilitate those improvements, Franklin County is applying for multiple grants, including the ARC grant for $600,000 and the OneGeorgia grant for $500,000,” said Thomas.

Thomas then said the plant is expected to be completed and operational next year, which means the county does not have a lot of time to get those improvements made.

The deadline also means the county needs to move fast on the grant applications.

“The plant is supposed to be operational in 2019, which is why we applied for those grants in this cycle. We have utilized our representatives and senators to express the importance of these grants, so I hope we get an answer in the first cycle,” said Thomas.

During the meeting, Thomas asked the Commission Board to approve the resolution and allow the Chairman to execute it as written.

A motion was made, a second followed and the vote was unanimous to approve the resolution.