News

The City of Statesboro has been honored with two awards from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) (www.gfoa.org), recognizing excellence in both financial reporting and budgeting. This week, GFOA notified the City’s Finance Department that it had received awards for its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.

“These recognitions speak to the dedication of our finance team and further validate the great work of the department, ” said Statesboro City Manager Charles Penny. “Sound financial management doesn’t happen by accident—it takes collaboration and a shared vision.”

GFOA bestowed a “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” to the city for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by the city and its management. The report was judged by an impartial panel on its ability to demonstrate a “spirit of full disclosure,” clearly communicate the City’s financial story, and encourage the public to engage with it.

Statesboro additionally received GFOA’s “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” for its Fiscal Year 2026 budget. To earn this distinction, the City’s budget was evaluated against nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The scoring criteria assessed how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

City of Statesboro Finance Director Cindy West added, “Our team is honored to see our work being recognized at the national level. We work to ensure that every report and budget we produce aligns with the city’s mission to  keep residents informed and demonstrates a responsible management of public funds.”

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is a professional organization serving more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. The association advances excellence in government finance by promoting best practices, professional development, resources, and research for the benefit of the communities its members serve.

For more information about GFOA and its awards programs, visit www.gfoa.org.

Disclaimer: The following results are based on vote totals listed on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website as of Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. View the official results here.

The City of Statesboro held municipal elections on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for the offices of Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 4. All three incumbents on the ballot were re-elected to their seats. Bulloch County voters also approved two sales-tax measures. Below are the confirmed vote tallies for each contest and referendum:

Mayor:
Incumbent Jonathan McCollar has been re-elected to a third term, receiving 1,851 votes (69.64 %), while challenger Raymond Harris received 807 votes (30.36 %).

City Council District 1:
Incumbent Councilmember Tangie Reese Johnson has been elected to a full four-year term, receiving 635 votes (71.51 %), while John Grotheer received 253 votes (28.49 %). Councilmember Johnson was previously elected in a 2024 special election to complete the remainder of an unexpired term.

City Council District 4:
Incumbent John Conner Riggs ran unopposed and received 228 votes.

Voter Turnout and Referendums:
Across Bulloch County, 9,250 ballots were cast, representing approximately 17.2% of the county’s 53,740 registered voters. Countywide, voters approved two sales-tax measures:

The Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) passed with 6,599 “Yes” votes (71.67 %) and 2,608 “No” votes (28.33 %). This new 1% sales tax will begin in January and fund property tax rollbacks across Bulloch County municipalities.

The Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST 6) passed with 6,158 “Yes” votes (66.57 %) and 3,092 “No” votes (33.43 %). The measure will continue funding for educational facilities and infrastructure from October 2028 through September 2033.

The new terms for Mayor McCollar and Councilmembers Johnson and Riggs will begin in January 2026.

This past Saturday, the Statesboro Fire Department hosted the pinning ceremony for Recruit Class 25-01, marking the culmination of eight weeks of hard work, growth, and dedication. The recruits demonstrated outstanding determination and discipline as they prepared to join the department and serve the Statesboro community.

Throughout the training program, the recruits worked toward earning their Firefighter I certification, as well as Hazmat Operations and Awareness credentials. Guided by an experienced and dedicated training staff, they developed the essential skills every firefighter needs. Training took place in the department’s new state-of-the-art facility, where they also utilized the recently acquired tower truck for hands-on practice. Their accomplishments include mastering forcible entry, tactical ventilation, fire dynamics, suppression techniques, and more.

The department extends sincere gratitude to its training staff for their commitment—many of whom volunteered their own time, even on days off—to ensure the recruits were fully prepared. Appreciation is also extended to the families and friends of the new firefighters for their patience, encouragement, and support throughout this demanding process.

Please join the Statesboro Fire Department in congratulating Recruit Class 25-01—the newest generation of firefighters committed to protecting our community.

The City of Statesboro has officially completed the Anderson Street Paving Project, marking a historic milestone in the city’s infrastructure development. With this project now finished, every road within the city limits of Statesboro is paved for the first time in its history.

Located between East Main Street and Hill Street, the 385-foot connector was transformed into a 20-foot-wide paved roadway built to meet both City of Statesboro and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) standards. As part of the improvements, new driveways were also constructed to provide safe and convenient access for nearby residents.

The project was funded through the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) and reflects the city’s continued investment in improving accessibility and roadway quality for the community. The newly paved Anderson Street enhances daily travel, promotes long-term durability, and provides a smoother, safer connection between two key city streets.

Completion of the Anderson Street Paving Project represents the combined efforts of the City’s Engineering and Public Works Departments, in partnership with local contractors and community stakeholders.

City Completes FY2024 Street Resurfacing Project

The City of Statesboro has successfully completed its Fiscal Year 2024 Street Resurfacing Project, marking another milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to improving local infrastructure and roadway safety.

The FY 2024 resurfacing program covered approximately 5.66 miles of roadway across all five council districts. This year’s resurfacing program covered approximately 5.66 miles of roadway across all five council districts. The work utilized a total of 6,311 tons of asphalt, including various asphalt types and mixes designed to ensure long-term durability. Crews also completed 20,665 square yards of asphalt milling, 2,375 square yards of 6-inch graded aggregate base (GAB), permanent grassing, shoulder dressing, and installed thermoplastic striping to enhance roadway visibility and safety.

Neighborhoods and Streets Resurfaced

Resurfacing work was completed in neighborhoods throughout all five council districts:

District 1: Orange Street (E. Olliff St. to E. Olliff St.), Lewis Street (E. Olliff St. to Orange St.), Best Street (Braswell St. to terminus), Bedford Street (Fleming Dr. to Kingswood Ave.), Harwood Street (Fleming Dr. to Kingswood Ave.), and Miller Street (N. Main St. to N. College St.)

District 2: Miller Street (N. College St. to W. Parrish St.), South Mulberry Street (E. Jones Ave. to E. Main St.), South Walnut Street (W. Jones Ave. to W. Inman St.), Scotch Pine Avenue (Whispering Pines Blvd. to Whispering Pines Blvd.), and Hunnicutt Drive (Soloman Cir. to Soloman Cir.)

District 3: Granade Street (E. Inman St. to terminus), Donaldson Street (Stillwell St. to Savannah Ave.), and Gentilly Drive (Gentilly Rd. to Prince Way)

District 4: Windsor Way (Chelsea Cir. to S. Edgewood Dr.), Knight Drive (Chandler Rd. to Harvey Dr.), and South Edgewood Drive (Greenwood Ave. to Holly Dr.)

District 5: Brampton Avenue (Fair Rd. to Veterans Memorial Pkwy.)

Investing in Safer, Smoother Streets

In total, 17 city streets were resurfaced during FY2024, representing a significant investment in neighborhood infrastructure and the long-term maintenance of the city’s roadway network. These improvements not only extend the lifespan of city streets but also enhance safety and driving conditions for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The City of Statesboro’s annual resurfacing program will continue in FY2025, with additional investments planned for both neighborhood streets and major corridors throughout the city.

Statesboro Community Garden Blossoms with Growth and Connection this Season

The Statesboro Community Garden continues to flourish as a vibrant hub for connection, learning, and growing fresh food in the heart of the City. Thanks to the dedication of local residents and support from Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB), this year’s planting season has been one of progress and collaboration.

This season, all raised garden beds are fully rented, reflecting the growing interest in local gardening and food sustainability. Alongside seasoned gardeners, several new faces have joined the garden community, practicing their skills and cultivating crops in the in-ground plots available on site. The mix of experienced growers and beginners fosters an environment of knowledge sharing, mentorship, and mutual support.

In an exciting step toward sustainability, the garden’s compost bins have been revitalized for all renters to use. This means gardeners can now compost their food scraps and garden waste on-site, helping to reduce landfill waste while creating nutrient-rich soil to nourish future crops. The initiative not only supports healthier harvests but also teaches the value of closing the loop in food systems.

Statesboro named “Retail Ready” community by Georgia Power

Statesboro has been selected as the first of six “Retail Ready” communities by Georgia Power Economic Development. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the city, as it collaborates with Georgia Power to enhance retail recruitment efforts. The initiative will provide Statesboro with valuable insights, data, and tools to support sustainable retail growth.

“The Regional Economic Development Managers work closely with local and regional development partners to prepare communities for today’s projects and opportunities in the future,” shared Elyse Davis, Statewide Development Manager. “We’re excited that Statesboro is the first community we can provide enhanced retail strategy support to through our new partnership with Retail Strategies.”

Georgia Power partnered with consultants from Retail Strategies, an Alabama-based retail recruitment and community development firm, to provide Statesboro with data insights and recommendations for attracting national retailers. The firm conducted a comprehensive analysis of Statesboro’s retail landscape, identifying properties and sites suited for new consumer-facing businesses. Retail Strategies also provided a recommendation list of potential retail brands and key contacts for outreach.

The City of Statesboro will use the recommendations and strategies provided through this partnership to help expand consumer options in the community. In January 2023, the city contracted a small business recruitment service through Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group. Through this collaboration, Statesboro gained a dedicated business recruiter, Alan Gross, who has been actively attending trade shows and working to attract retailers to the area.

“Partnering with Georgia Power enables us to amplify our existing recruitment strategies,” explained Alan Gross. “Partnering on the ‘Retail Ready’ initiative enhances our visibility, providing another powerful tool to attract retailers. I’m confident this collaboration will soon bring more retail and dining options to our community.”

The City of Statesboro has been awarded a substantial grant of $1,372,659 through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ “2025 Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP)”. This funding is earmarked for the construction of new single-family homes, aiming to provide quality housing options for very low- to low-income residents.

Statesboro stands among 15 communities across Georgia selected to receive a portion of the $13.8 million allocated by the DCA for this year’s CHIP funding. Specifically, Statesboro is one of seven communities granted funds for new construction projects, highlighting the city’s commitment to expanding affordable housing.

“Statesboro has not received a CHIP Grant since 2001,” says Kathy Field, Director of Planning & Development for the city. “The city has applied multiple times for CHIP funding over the past 24 years without success, but we never wavered in our commitment to secure resources for our residents. Being selected this year is not just a victory for the city, but also for the families and individuals who will benefit from  safe and affordable housing made possible with these funds.”

The CHIP program, backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the DCA, offers grants to local governments, nonprofits, and public housing authorities. These grants support the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes and the construction or renovation of affordable single-family homes for sale to eligible buyers. The program enables communities to construct new affordable housing, with grants of up to $1.5 million allowed per grant cycle.

Statesboro’s newly acquired CHIP funds will be utilized to construct single-family homes in targeted areas, such as the Pine Street neighborhood located on the city’s west side in Council District 2. Collaborations with local partners, including Habitat for Humanity and Agape Worship Center, made the application possible.

“Statesboro is seeing the strength of community collaboration with the awarding of these funds,” says Justin Williams, Planning & Housing Administrator for Statesboro. “Partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Agape Worship Center really set our application apart. We were able to lay out a strategic path to ownership for income-eligible buyers while also revitalizing a long-overlooked street in our community.”

Agape Worship Center acquired five parcels along Pine Street in 2021 in an attempt to reinvigorate the area, which had become a haven for criminal activity and public blight. In January 2025, the City of Statesboro entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agape Worship Center and Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County that the city would provide funding for nine homes if awarded a CHIP grant.

Within the terms of the agreement, Habitat for Humanity agreed to build six homes along Pine Street over the next two years, using funds received through the CHIP grant. Additionally, three homes would be contracted to local builders and also sold by Habitat. As part of the agreement, Habitat would reimburse Agape Center $11,111.11 upon the sale of each completed new home.

Anyone interested in applying to own one of the new homes must apply through Habitat’s income-based qualification process. More information can be found at www.habitatbulloch.org.

The Pine Street project is part of the City of Statesboro’s ongoing “Johnson Street Neighborhood Revitalization.” In 2021, Statesboro’s City Council approved the creation of an Urban Redevelopment Area, which identified several neighborhoods within the city limits in need of revitalization. The area surrounding Johnston Street, including Pine Street, was selected as a top priority due to the declining physical condition of many homes located there.

Over the past few years, the City of Statesboro’s Council and staff have taken a proactive approach to affordable housing, including participation in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Senior Year Program, creating an affordable housing plan, conducting a housing needs study and establishing a housing rehabilitation program. These efforts have bolstered the city’s capacity to secure competitive housing grants and implement impactful community development projects.

For more information about the CHIP funding and the City of Statesboro’s affordable housing initiatives, please contact the Statesboro Planning and Development Department at (912) 764-0630 or visit www.statesboroga.gov/planning-development.

Statesboro will soon welcome a national home furnishings retailer to the former Kmart building on Northside Drive, marking a significant milestone in the city’s targeted economic development strategy. While the identity of the retailer cannot yet be revealed, city officials are celebrating this development as a transformative step for the community.

This project highlights the success of a forward-thinking partnership launched in January 2023, when the City of Statesboro contracted a small business recruitment service through Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group. Through this collaboration, Statesboro gained a dedicated small business recruiter, Alan Gross, who has been actively attending trade shows and working to attract small to medium-sized businesses to the area.

Gross, who has been instrumental in bringing this new retailer to Statesboro, expressed his enthusiasm for the impact it will have on the city.

“This is a prime example of the growth we envisioned when we began our recruitment efforts,” said Gross. “Statesboro is growing rapidly, and attracting a nationally renowned business like this directly results from the city’s proactive approach. This new retailer will not only revitalize the former Kmart site but also provide meaningful economic benefits, including jobs and a wider range of choices for local shoppers.”

The city’s growth has been remarkable in recent years. In 2024 alone, over 190 new business licenses were issued, and as of February 2025, commercial development projects in Statesboro totaled more than $128 million in investments—a figure that continues to climb with new developments breaking ground each month.

Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar emphasized the broader significance of this announcement.

“Our city is growing by leaps and bounds every day,” said Mayor McCollar. “This retailer’s decision to invest in Statesboro is a testament to the hard work of our team and the undeniable potential of our community. It’s about more than filling a vacant building; it’s about showing investors and developers that Statesboro is a thriving, vibrant city with a bright future.”

Details about the retailer and project timeline will be announced in the coming months.