MACON, Ga. — U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Ga., announced that Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, Inc. will receive a $7,388,441 federal grant to continue its Head Start programs for an 18-county area, including Colquitt County.

“This is great news for our kids and our community. I’m proud to have an opportunity to announce this kind of good news for such an outstanding organization,” said Marshall.

The Southwest Georgia Community Council operates Head Start programs for an 18-county area in Southwest Georgia and employs more than 600 permanent employees.

The federal grant for Southwest Georgia Community Action Council’s Head Start programs, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, is expected to last through the end of the 2009 calendar year.

“I very excited by this grant, and I believe that effective Head Start programs, followed by a continued focus on early education by families and teachers provides a tremendous boost for the children of South Georgia,” said Marshall.