06/14/2026
π BIG NEWS FOR LAVONIA! π
Yβall, we have some exciting news to share!
In 2025, the City of Lavonia was awarded a $1 million ARC grant to help transform our downtown through streetscape improvements. While we celebrated that incredible opportunity, we also knew there would be challenges ahead as we balanced other major infrastructure needs, including water and wastewater projects.
This week, we received even more exciting news.
Governor Brian Kemp and the State Road and Tollway Authority have awarded the City of Lavonia an additional $1,000,300 through the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) for our Downtown Streetscape Improvements Project!
That means Lavonia has now secured more than $2 million in outside funding to invest in the future of our downtown.
These improvements will:
πΆ Extend sidewalks along West Main Street and West Bowman Street
πΈ Upgrade downtown crosswalks to improve accessibility and visibility
π¦ Realign the intersections at West Avenue/Vickery Street and West Bowman Street/West Main Street to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety
βΏ Improve accessibility and connectivity throughout downtown
ποΈ Support continued economic development in the heart of our community
We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Patrick Larson and the team at the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. Their guidance, expertise, and support have been instrumental in helping Lavonia pursue funding opportunities like this. GMRC continues to be an incredible asset to our community, and we are grateful for their partnership.
While we are still in the engineering and planning phase of the streetscape project, we know this investment will have a lasting impact on Lavoniaβs future. Major projects like this require years of planning, coordination, and vision. In fact, this streetscape effort began in 2021 and has been a working project ever since. Progress doesnβt happen overnight, but each step brings us closer to creating a safer, more accessible, and more vibrant downtown.
For a small town, this is a tremendous blessing. These investments will help ensure that Downtown Lavonia remains a place where businesses can thrive, families can gather, and visitors can experience the charm and hospitality that make our community special.
I often say that Lavonia is punching above its weight, and this is another example of what can happen when a community dreams big, works together, and pursues opportunities that position us for the future.
The future of Lavonia is bright, and weβre excited to continue moving forward together.
β€οΈ Thank you for believing in Lavonia.
City of Lavonia βοΈ
