Warnock helps secure funding for south Georgia projects

Sep. 10—WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following months of advocacy and conversations with partners across Georgia, U.S. Senator the Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., announced Friday that he has secured critical federal investments for several Georgia priorities in the recently released draft Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bills — including more than $12 million for critical projects and initiatives in Albany and south Georgia that will create jobs, lower housing costs, improve health outcomes, and help senior citizens live independently.

"As a voice for Georgia in the Senate, I'm proud that these draft government funding bills reflect the priorities of hard-working people from Albany to Valdosta and everywhere in between," Warnock said in a news release. "From making housing more affordable for our seniors, to creating good-paying jobs that will help improve health outcomes, this legislation includes strong investments for the Albany area, and I'm going to keep fighting to get these funds over the finish line and flowing to south Georgia.".

The key wins for Albany and south Georgia that Warnock secured in the draft Senate government funding bills include:

— Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany Communications Center: $6.4 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds for Albany's Marine Corps Logistics base to build a new communication facility that will serve as the Installation Service Node and Special Purpose Processing Node for Facility Related Control Systems and other future operational technology;

— St. John's Estates Affordable Housing Complex: $5 million in Congressionally-directed spending funds to renovate 40 units of affordable housing at Mt. Olive Community Outreach Center Inc.'s St. John's Estates Affordable Housing Complex;

— Moody Air Force Base: $1.1 million in Congressionally-directed spending for planning and design for the 23rd Security Forces Squadron Operations Facility, which will support training, operations and administrative needs for the unit;

— Coffee County Regional Medical Center Lab Renovation: $950,000 in Congressionally-directed spending funds for Coffee County Regional Medical Center in Douglas to renovate and upgrade laboratory instrumentation — helping the hospital better serve patients by providing a platform that will allow the medical center to expand its laboratory testing services;

— Albany Technical College Allied Health Workforce: $500,000 in Congressionally-directed spending funds to address Albany's unprecedented nursing shortage by recruiting and educating more nursing students;

— City of Baconton Senior Citizens Vans: $20,000 in Congressionally-directed spending funds for the purchase of a 20-passenger van to transport seniors in the city of Baconton to the local senior center, medical appointments, and shopping for essentials of daily living.