# Upson County Declines Courthouse Study Grant

Upson County commissioners voted 4-0 to decline a contribution of up to $19,450 toward a study and master plan for the county-owned historic courthouse, ending the county’s participation in Thomaston’s Georgia Heritage Grant application. The application deadline of Oct. 31 has passed, so this study is no longer an active funding opportunity. Separately, commissioners approved transferring the courthouse annex and former chamber of commerce building to T-U IDA and extended elevator maintenance at the new justice center for $450 per month.

- The proposed grant would have covered 60% of costs, with 40% local participation; the city had committed an equal amount to the county’s proposed contribution. The county manager said a master plan likely would be required for any future grant to fund courthouse improvements.
- The courthouse study did not proceed through this application, while the approved property transfers may affect future local development or facility planning involving the annex and former chamber building.
- The elevator maintenance extension is a continuing facilities-services requirement at the new justice center; the stated monthly price is $450, while the extension term is not specified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Upson County Board of Commissioners (BOC)
- City of Thomaston
- T-U Industrial Development Authority (T-U IDA)
- Georgia Heritage Grant program

### Vendors
- Mowrey Elevator Company of Florida (incumbent)

### Key Quotes
> Any future grant [to fund improvements to the facility] likely would require a master plan.
> — Lonnie Joyce, Upson County Manager

### Sources
- [County Opts Out of Agreement for Courthouse Study | News | upsonbeacon.com](https://www.upsonbeacon.com/news/county-opts-out-of-agreement-for-courthouse-study/article_a63bfa03-976a-4a2d-8e51-719c521e920e.html) - upsonbeacon.com