Albany Area News Briefly

Women In Construction donates to scholarship Fund

ALBANY — The Albany chapter for Women In Construction has donated more than $37,000 to the Albany Tech Foundation scholarship fund with a check presentation to Albany Tech President Dr. Anthony O. Parker.

The Albany Chapter for Women In Construction, which is part of the National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC), will be closing and the group wanted to keep the fund going. For the past several years, Albany Tech students majoring in construction or construction-related programs have benefited from the scholarship and the board decided to turn the remaining balance over to the Albany Tech Foundation.

The Albany Tech Foundation will continue to keep the scholarship fund active for students in need each year.

Farm Credit distributes profits to member-owners

BAINBRIDGE — Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, a customer-owned financial institution, plans to distribute $3.95 million of its 2015 profits in cash to its member-owners. Since 1991, the Association has returned more than $111 million, essentially lowering a borrower’s interest rate, on average, 1.02 percent annually.

“Our rates are always competitive in the marketplace, but when you consider the added benefit of a member distribution, our cooperative structure allows us to lower the cost to borrow,” said Richard S. Monson, president, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit. “It’s another way that we create value for our member-owners.”

Monson noted that the all-cash distribution means customers get 100 percent of their share of the Association’s profits in their pockets when they earn it.

Lee County among rec grant recipients

LEESBURG —Lee County was among the recipients of state grants earmarked to provide outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to sports.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources awarded more than 30 recreation grants around the state, including $1.14 million from the Recreational Trails Program and $1.49 million from Land and the Water Conservation Fund.

“We know how important it is to these communities to have access to funding for recreational projects,” DNR Commissioner Mark Williams said. “We are honored to be able to administer these grants which allow our citizens to enjoy a variety of recreation, from riverside trails to fishing piers to soccer fields.”

From the Recreational Trails Program, Lee County was awarded $100,000 for Rails to Trails trailheads.

From the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Southwest georgia recipients were Georgetown-Quitman County, $25,000 for a playground; Grady County, $100,000 for renovations of Barber Park Fitness and Play Area, and Valdosta, $100,000 for Miracle Field at Freedom Park.