USDA loan a catalyst to Georgia high school renovations

1/4/2012

An old high school building in Winterville, Georgia, may soon begin renovations thanks in part to a USDA loan of more than $1 million, the Athens Banner-Herald reports.

Winterville High School was built between 1918 and 1932, and is long overdue for repairs. The city has already received a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Community Affairs as well as $800,000 from Clarke County's 1 percent sales tax option. If the city is allowed the USDA loan, they'll be able to hire a contractor to begin renovations prior to receiving the sales tax money.

"We can go out for contract and get this show on the road," Bob White, chairman of the Winterville Historic Restoration Committee, told the news source. "It's a wonderful thing for the city."

Winterville mayor Jim Mercer, who stepped down at the end of 2011, received a verbal commitment from the USDA for its application for a bridge loan prior to leaving office.

The Athens Patch reported last month that Clarke County school district officials approved the construction and renovations to five other schools in the area. Three elementary schools will be repaired while two new ones will be built.