State Senator Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) has announced the appropriation of over $10 million in state funding that will benefit Coweta County. The funds were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 state budget.

“I am very grateful for the addition of this funding for our district,” said Sen. Seabaugh. “The Senate has recognized the importance of a state park, improved driver’s services and the potential of wi-fi technology in Coweta County.”

The proposed funding in the FY 07 budget includes more that $7 million to fund the construction of Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Coweta County, which will be a 2,900-acre park that will include a variety of camping options; equestrian, hiking, mountain biking and multi-use trails, river overlooks and many other amenities.

“This park will be a great contribution to the quality of life for Cowetans,” Seabaugh remarked. “This appropriation will get us a step closer to what so many individuals have worked so hard for.”

The FY 07 budget will also include funds for a new driver’s license facility in Newnan, which is a part of the new Department of Driver’s Services.

“These funds will help Newnan have a more efficient facility to help make getting licenses easier,” Seabaugh commented. “Improved service by our Department of Driver’s Services is very important and I hope these funds will be of great benefit.”

Finally, the plan includes a $3 million grant as part of the 2006 Statewide Broadband Initiative, which will implement the latest broadband/wireless technologies in the state. The grant was increased in the budget by the Senate, and Sen. Seabaugh aims to make Newnan one of the cities included in the Initiative’s Wi-Fi program.

“Coweta County has been a leader in Internet technology, and I want our County to become a wi-fi community,” Sen. Seabaugh said. “Newnan is on the list of cities being considered, and I want us to have a shot at being one of the pilot cities in the Broadband Initiative.”

Once the FY 07 budget is approved in the Senate, it will then go to a conference committee where differences between the House of Representatives’ version and the Senate’s version are negotiated.

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