VALDOSTA — Lowndes County Commission approved a grant application for $1.15 million from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The grant, known as the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant, requires a 10 percent match from the county for $114,885. The match was previously at 30 percent, but was reduced due to the approval of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

According to Georgia Department of Transportation, the LMIG program transportation funding is allocated from the state based on a formula that includes population and street mileage.

During the meeting earlier this month, the board authorized the Valdosta Housing Authority to issue bonds that will not exceed $22.5 million. A portion of the bonds will go toward renovating two affordable housing properties. 

Also during the meeting, the board approved a beer license for Bigfoot Travel Center at 7212 Lake Boulevard, Lake Park, and a beer, wine and liquor license for Ryan Bruch of Southern Comforts Liquor Stop at 3954 Old Highway 41, Valdosta.

The county approved MIDS Transportation as the third-party operator of Lowndes County 5311 public transportation program. 

MIDS Transportation operated as the county public transportation contractor and was the only contractor that applied for the position, according to county documents.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256