Congressman Hank Johnson secures $15.8 million for local community projects in Georgia’s 4th District

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Over the weekend, Congressman Hank Johnson’s $15.8 million in Community Project Funding for Georgia’s 4th District (Fiscal Year 2024) was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

A detailed summary of the bill is available HERE.

The funding, included in the first of the appropriations government funding packages, responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Johnson’s Fourth District – which is currently comprised of parts of DeKalb County, Newton County, and all of Rockdale County.

“Taking care of home first has always been how I approach representing our great district,” Rep. Johnson said. “The nearly $16 million in Community Project Funding in this bill will have a profound impact on Georgia’s 4th District. These investments grow our economy, making a real difference in the lives of so many in our community. I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, and stronger.”

Rep. Johnson championed funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Georgia’s 4th District residents. These include:

• $960,000 for Newton County for the Brown Bridge Road Widening Project
• $850,000 for DeKalb County Line Park Improvements
• $500,000 for DeKalb County Community Schoolyards
• $800,000 for Women’s Resource Center for Domestic Violence for Housing Projects for Domestic Violence Survivors in DeKalb County
• $145,335 for Increasing Pedestrian and Vehicular Safety via the Realignment of Chestnut at Buford Highway in the City of Doraville.
• $850,000 for DeKalb County for Kittredge Athletic Fields
• $800,000 for North Fork Peachtree Creek Trail (Phase 1) in DeKalb County
• $1,000,000 for PDK Airport Design and Demolition Administration Building
• $959,752 for Rockdale County for Almand Branch Wastewater Treatment Project
• $959,752 for Rockdale County for Honey and Scott Creek Pump Stations and Force Mains Project
• $959,752 for Rockdale County for River Street Water and Sewer Improvements
• $959,752 for Rockdale County for Salem Lake Pump Station Replacement Project
• $1,166,279 for MARTA’s Safe Routes to Transit Program
• $850,000 for Top End I-285 Trail-Georgetown Segment in the City of Dunwoody
• $4,000,000 for YMCA of Metro Atlanta in South DeKalb County.

A full summary of each project can be found at Congressman Johnson’s website HERE

Johnson office said House Democrats were successful in removing harmful House Republican policies from these bills that attempted to make abortion illegal everywhere, slash efforts to fight climate change, and threaten national security. Instead, these final bipartisan FY 2024 funding bills will help keep our communities safe, fight inflation, and boost our economy. Taken together, the funding for Georgia’s 4th District and the funding increases for critical government programs will continue to grow our local economy and support our communities.

Leaders in DeKalb and Rockdale counties praised Johnson for his efforts.

“From Dunwoody in the north to Ellenwood in the south and all points in between, every part of DeKalb is touched by this important federal funding,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “We thank our man in Washington – Congressman Hank Johnson – for providing us with the support we need to renovate and improve our trails, schools, parks, and critical funding for the state’s second-busiest airport, PDK. This funding will create jobs, improve our quality of life, and help DeKalb continue its journey to greatness.”

“Rockdale County expresses profound gratitude to Congressman Johnson for working with us to secure funding for these critical infrastructural projects, said Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt. “This funding is not just a financial boost — it’s a vote of confidence in our community, our plans, and our citizens. It represents a pivotal moment to help us make significant improvements vital to the quality of life for the citizens of Rockdale County.”

“Nearly every passenger trip begins or ends on the roadside at one of MARTA’s 9,000 bus stops, and missing sidewalks or unsafe crossings can create real barriers to mobility for our customers,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “Safe Routes to Transit helps us remove, repair, and replace crumbling infrastructure so riders can get to and from the bus and other MARTA services safely. We are grateful for the continued support of our partners in District 4, our Transit Superheroes, for securing additional community project funding for this vital program.”

“In Doraville, where pedestrian access is a necessity for more than 10 percent of households without a vehicle, we appreciate Congressman Johnson’s efforts to secure federal pedestrian safety funding for Buford Highway,” said Mayor Joseph Geierman. “These improvements will help save lives and enhance the quality of life for thousands of residents.”

“We are thrilled to receive an appropriation from Congressman Hank Johnson for the Georgetown segment of the Top End 285 Trail,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “This trail segment will provide regional connectivity, recreation, and additional commute options for major employment centers and dense residential areas.  These funds will allow the City of Dunwoody to make necessary progress towards improving connectivity in our community and beyond. We appreciate Congressman Johnson’s partnership and support.”

“We are so grateful to Congressman Johnson’s office for prioritizing the housing needs of domestic violence survivors in his district,” said Women’s Resource Center for Domestic Violence Executive Director Jean Douglas. “These funds will help us continue to provide safe, emergency housing for domestic violence survivors in the 4th while expanding our ability to help survivors and their children access affordable housing once they leave our safe house.”