The Rome Downtown Development Authority this morning approved resolutions in support of $980,000 in low interest government loans to assist new residential and restaurant projects. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the DDA and the Georgia Cities Foundation helped provide the loans to West Lofts and Honeymoon Bakery. The two projects represent a combined investment of more than $4.5 million to downtown Rome.
The loans, which will be used to offset the investors’ renovation expenses, are expected to close by the end of the month, DDA Director Ann Arnold said.
Cartersville developer Ron Goss redeveloped the 100-year-old West and Curry buildings at the corner of Broad Street and Second Avenue into 18 loft apartments with the street-level commercial space.
And downtown business owners Ginny Kibler and Kevin Dillmon opened Honeymoon Bakery this summer at 228 Broad St., next-door to Kibler’s Harvest Moon Café.
Board members also recommended Paula Blevins of C&S Trophies and Greg Sumner of Professional Screening & Information to fill DDA board seats that will become vacant Jan. 1. Jimmy Kelley and Nancy Johnston are ending their terms this year.
The board also agreed to have to one of its current members, Ron King, fill Kelley’s position on the Business Improvement District commission, which oversees public improvements to the downtown area.
Source: Rome News-Tribune