Royston advances natural gas capacity expansion project through design, bidding and financing

In January 2025, the Royston City Council voted 5-0 to approve a $111,600 contract with Carter and Sloope Consulting Engineers to handle bidding, permitting, contracting and construction services for the 2025 Natural Gas Capacity Expansion Project. At the same meeting, a resident raised concerns about low gas pressure affecting 105 poultry houses on Bold Springs Church Rd, and officials discussed a planned new regulator station near the high school intended to boost line pressure 25%, from 120 to 150 psi, to bring more capacity to the area west to Bold Springs.

By February 2025, the city confirmed Carter & Sloope was proceeding with the bid process for the project.

In July 2025, the council voted 6-0 to award a $6,025,471.61 construction bid to Southern Pipeline LLC for what was then called the 2025 Natural Gas Pressure Improvement Project, and separately voted 6-0 to adopt a resolution declaring intent to use tax-exempt financing for the project. A notice of award to Southern Pipeline was tendered the following month.

In August and September 2025, the council took Ordinance 1002 through first and second readings, approving on a 6-0 vote a lease and agency agreement with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia to finance the project for $6,000,000 through Northeast Georgia Bank at 3.99%. By March 2026, minutes noted work continuing on the pressure improvement project, primarily north of Franklin Springs on Highway 145.