Eighty-three applications for worthy community projects were submitted for this round of grants, and Valdosta was one of 43 communities awarded.  In addition, Valdosta was one of only two communities who received the grant in GDOT District 4, which is made up of 36 counties. 

“The city is proud to be a recipient of these grant funds, which will enable us to move forward with creating attractive and welcoming gateways into our beautiful community,” said Historic Preservation/Special Projects Planner Emily Foster. “This is the first of 10 gateway projects that the city hopes to accomplish as funding allows, and other local gateway projects will be modeled from this inaugural design.”

Gateways are entrance points into and out of communities, are marked typically by landscaping and welcome signage and are usually located along major transportation corridors at the city limits. 

In Valdosta, gateway planning and related studies were conducted in 2004 and 2010 to establish the priority for 10 gateway locations.  As a result of these studies, the new gateway utilizing GDOT funds will be created at the city entrance on North Valdosta Road (State Route 7), east of the Withlacoochee River Bridge.  The Valdosta gateway includes the planting of new landscaping and the installation of a modern and attractive sign structure featuring the “Valdosta, A City Without Limits” logo. 

The GATEway Grant program uses revenue collected from permit fees for vegetation removal in front of outdoor advertising signs to fund these awards to Georgia communities, and the grant funding may only be used for landscaping beautification.  The city will be utilizing a different funding source to pay for the signage at this location. 

“We are pleased to be awarded the GATEway grant, which provides us the opportunity to create positive, visual experiences for visitors and citizens traveling to and from our city,” said City Manager Larry Hanson.  “The entry points to our city should reflect a sense of pride in our vibrant community.”