ATLANTA – State Representative Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville) recently received the Excellence in Community Service Award from the West Georgia Regional Library for his efforts in securing state funds for the construction of the new Villa Rica Public Library.
“I’m honored to be recognized by the West Georgia Regional Library,” said Rep. Gravley. “The Villa Rica Public Library project would not have been possible without the combined efforts of local and state leaders, and it was a privilege to work alongside so many individuals who care deeply about their community. This new library is a terrific addition to the City of Villa Rica, and I’m confident that the facility will benefit our citizens for years to come.”
In 2013, members of the Villa Rica Public Library Advisory Board and West Georgia Regional Library administration began a concerted effort to secure a new public library facility. The 5,000 square-foot Villa Rica Public Library, which was constructed in 1992, was no longer large enough for the library’s collection, public use computers and community meeting space, amongst other needs.
Rep. Gravley and other state legislators worked for several years to secure state dollars to fund the facility’s construction, including a $2 million construction grant and a $150,000 repair and renovation grant. The Villa Rica City Council approved local SPLOST funds to match the state construction grant, and many local funding agencies, businesses and private donors contributed to the project.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 5, 2015, and the new Villa Rica Public Library held a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, February 11, 2017, with over 2,000 attendees. The 16,370 square-foot facility, located on Tanner Medical Center’s Villa Rica campus, includes a community meeting room, children’s room, computer lab, conference room, Young Adult area and several study rooms.
Representative Micah Gravley represents the citizens of District 67, which includes portions of Douglas and Paulding counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves as Vice Chairman on the Code Revision Committee and Secretary on the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Economic Development & Tourism, Juvenile Justice, and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.
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