Liberty County and Ludowici each will receive $500,000 Community Block Development Grants for water and sewer improvements.

The governments are among 74 communities that will receive more than $36 million total for capital projects through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which receives the funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Liberty County Commission Chairman John McIver on Tuesday announced the award, which will go toward the rural water system for the Holmestown-Screven Fork areas.

“That was great news,” McIver said. “All I can say is hats up and hats out.”

The system, which also is funded by a $3.2 million grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture and a $1 million low-interest loan, is expected to be in operation next year.

McIver previously said the project has been in the works for more than eight years, and its importance became more apparent after a University of Georgia study found wells in the area had unsafe drinking water.

Ludowici Mayor James Fuller said the $500,000 will go toward pond dredging and sewage improvements.

“It’s for the health and welfare of the city of Ludowici, because our infrastructure is bad shape,” Fuller said.

The grant also will allow the city to address sewage in a target area within Union, Church, Residence, Boundary, S. Macon and Lincoln streets and Piedmont Avenue.

Fuller said the city council will discuss the grant at a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty said in a press release that the grants are to support “various local health and safety, economic development and job creation programs, helping preserve Georgia’s quality of life.”

There will be an informational workshop for recipients Sept. 27-28 in Atlanta.