Media Releases

PORT WENTWORTH, GA – October 1, 2024 – The City of Port Wentworth and Chatham County has been awarded a grant of $2,362,492 through the latest Rural Workforce Housing Initiative. This grant will support the development of 83 new housing units on Cantyre Street in Downtown Port Wentworth while improving water, sewer, road, and drainage infrastructure. Project details include developing single-family detached homes and quadplexes and a plan to help current homeowners with minor repairs. This will be the first project to expand the downtown area of Port Wentworth in decades.

“Affordable housing is a top priority for our city, and we are committed to ensuring our downtown infrastructure is updated to meet these needs,” said Steve Davis, Port Wentworth City Manager. “These funds from the state of Georgia recognize the importance of our economic growth and help us to ensure we have the resources to support future residents and enhance the quality of life for current residents.”

First announced in the governor’s 2023 State of the State Address, the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative is a catalyst for the development of critically needed workforce housing in communities across the state. The Georgia General Assembly approved $35.7 million to start the initiative in the Amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget, a further $50 million in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget, and an additional $6 million for Fiscal Year 2025. Award recipients were required to meet the grant and OneGeorgia Authority requirements, in addition to demonstrating strong collaboration between the community and real estate developers.