Press Release

September 30, 2003

MOST RECENT GRANT AWARDS

The U.S. Justice Department has awarded funding to four counties in the Second Congressional District under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to help defray costs associated with the incarceration of criminal illegal aliens, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced.

The awards go to Crisp County, $450; Lee County, $4,273; Muscogee County, $2,649, and Decatur County, $1,119. The funds, provided under the 1994 Crime Act, go into the general fund of the recipient communities, and can be used for any purpose, the Congressman explained.

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The National Endowment for the Arts is awarding a special grant of $10,000 to the Springer Opera House Arts Association in Columbus to support the adaptation and production of a play based on the children’s book, “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer,” by former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced.

The grant is one of a limited number that the NEA is presenting for projects that promote the arts in underserved areas of the country.

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The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a grant of more than $1.4 million to Columbus State University under the Teachers Technology Program and a grant of $124,958 to the Bainbridge Advocacy Individual Network, Inc.-- Bainbridge Center for Independent Living, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced.

The grant to Columbus State University will be for a period of three years and the grant to the Bainbridge agency for five years.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded two Head Start grants to agencies in Valdosta and Americas, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced.

The Coastal Plain Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. of Valdosta was award a grant of $118,855 and the Visions for Sumter, Seeing Through Young Eyes, Inc. of Americus was awarded a grant of $630,155.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the city of Columbus a total of $3.6 million under the Community Development Block Grant Program; Home Investment Partnership Program, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced.

The grants will be used to provide housing for the needy and expand economic opportunities for low-to-moderate income persons, he said.

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