The city of Pembroke is one of 74 communities in Georgia that will receive some $37.7 million in federal assistance, Gov. Nathan Deal announced this week.

Pembroke will receive nearly $500,000 for water system improvements through the state’s Community Development Block Grant program. That money will be combined with a $2 million grant from USDA Rural Development that the city received in January to replace a failing groundwater well, construct a new elevated water storage tank and install new water distribution lines.

“The application for funding was a joint effort between city personnel and our citizens,” said Mayor Judy Cook. “A special thank you to all who participated and worked so diligently toward this.”

Georgia’s CDBG program supports projects in small and rural communities that create jobs and assist low- and moderate-income residents, according to the governor’s office.

“Strong and prosperous communities serve their citizens best and help attract business to Georgia,” Deal said in a press release. “The projects funded by this program will stimulate the economic development in these communities and enhance the quality of life for all Georgians.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation also announced this week that 24 contracts have been awarded for maintenance projects totaling more than $92 million. Some $627,000 of that will be spent to resurface State Route 67 from State Route 280 to the Bulloch County line.