The City of Douglas has been awarded a Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) grant. The REBC Grant Program provides funding for roadside enhancement and beautification projects along Georgia’s right-of-way roadsides. The funding comes from fees paid by outdoor advertising companies to Georgia DOT for vegetation removal at outdoor advertising signs.
“We appreciate the REBC and Georgia Department of Transportation offering grants such as this to assist with roadside beautification projects,” says Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director.
According to REBC guidelines, the funds may be used for landscape plant material, sod, topsoil, mulch, and other approved costs. The REBC requires the use of Georgia Grown materials for projects. Since 2008, the Georgia DOT has awarded 148 grants totaling more than $5 million dollars for the grant program to governments and community improvement districts around the state. Funds from the grants are allocated towards purchasing and installing plant material along state routes throughout the state.
The REBC is comprised of representatives from various organizations and agencies appointed by the Governor. Those include the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia, Sierra Club, Garden Club of Georgia, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Conservancy, UGA College of Environment and Design, House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairpersons and the Georgia DOT Deputy Commissioner.