Georgia Department of Transportation Chairman Mike Evans and Georgia State Representative Charles Jenkins were in Blairsville for the presentation of a Transportation Enhancement Grant to the Downtown Development Authority of Blairsville. The amount of the TE Grant presented to the DDA was $250,000.

"The grant application for the Downtown Development Authority was for a streetscape for the downtown, with focus around the square," DDA Program Manager Janet Hartman said. "Our primary focus is to improve pedestrian safety and improve the overall look of the downtown."

The presentation of the funds was held at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Blairsville. Evans presented the grant award to the City of Blairsville and the DDA. Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley, DDA Chairman Kay Jones, and Hartman accepted the check.