Community leaders, developers, and residents gathered Friday morning, March 21, 2025 for the official ribbon cutting of Hartford, a new rental community on Hartford Road that is already reshaping housing opportunities in Statesboro.
The rental development, which includes 48 townhomes and 148 single-family homes, is located just two miles from Georgia Southern University and features modern amenities, energy-efficient construction, and a strong sense of community. The newly constructed homes are now leasing, with rent starting at $1,650 per month and include maintenance and lawn care.
Lamar Smith, founder of Smith Family Homes and the developer behind Hartford, welcomed attendees with a history of the project. “We call this Project Hartford. When we purchased the property five years ago, it had been sitting idle since before the Great Recession. The original developers installed roads and utilities, but never finished. We worked closely with the City of Statesboro to bring it back to life.”
The area is part of a federal Opportunity Zone, which incentivizes investment in underdeveloped communities. That designation encouraged Smith’s team to pivot from selling lots to developing and leasing homes, just as growth from the nearby Hyundai Meta Plant began driving regional demand for housing.
“What was once raw land is now a $50 million investment that will generate an estimated $500,000 in property taxes annually,” Smith noted. “We’re thankful to be able to serve this community and provide much-needed housing in a growing area.”
In addition to high-quality housing, Hartford offers a gated, secured, neighborhood with two playgrounds, a fishing pond, sidewalks, and a street tree program that has already added over 10,000 pines and 200 tree canopy's. Maintenance and lawncare are included in the rent, adding to the ease of living.
Takevia Foster, a resident and foster parent, shared her experience during the ceremony. “We moved here from Albany for a fresh start in a safe neighborhood. My foster son arrived three days ago, and the first thing he said was how beautiful it was. We love it here—the community, the security, the staff, everything.”
Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr, representing the City of Statesboro, praised the development. “It’s a beautiful day to celebrate beautiful homes. I remember when this property sat untouched for years after 2008. This is a triumph for our city.”
Matthew McCord, representative for Congressman Buddy Carter, spoke about the importance of Opportunity Zones. “This was created through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage investment in overlooked areas. Hartford is a textbook success story.”
Lamar Smith also highlighted the team’s involvement in community partnerships, including support for the YMCA, Fostering Bulloch, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Roosevelt’s student scholarship program. FCA Director Brad Lane, who leads outreach at Georgia Southern, closed the ceremony with a prayer and remarks on the impact of community faith partnerships with Smith's companies.
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and a lunch shared among guests.
The Hartford project’s path from dormancy to development wasn’t just a matter of new construction—it was a collaboration between Smith Family Homes and the City of Statesboro to re-imagine a long-stalled site.
“This project was originally approved around 2006–2008,” said Jason Boyles, Assistant Statesboro City Manager. “But it went into foreclosure before completion. Half the infrastructure was in place—the water and sewer lines were installed, but the roads hadn’t been paved.”
With the site sitting idle for over a decade, the city stepped in when the developers showed interest in reviving the land. “We worked closely with them to determine what could be salvaged and what needed to be repaired. Our goal was to bring it back into compliance and make it viable again,” Boyles explained.
The result is not just a revived subdivision, but a strong example of city infill development—a strategy that utilizes underused land within city limits to promote efficient growth.
About Hartford
Located on Hartford Road just minutes from the GSU campus and downtown Statesboro, Hartford offers 3- and 4-bedroom townhomes and single-family homes for rent in a professionally managed, gated community. Many of the homes and townhomes are ready for immediate move ins.
Home Features Include:
- Energy-efficient, climate-sealed construction
- Stainless steel appliances and LVP flooring
- Attached 2-car garages
- Central heating and air
- Cable/internet ready
- Front and backyard maintenance included
Community Features:
- Gated access
- Two playgrounds
- Fishing pond
- Sidewalks and street trees
- 22 minutes from I-16
Now Leasing: (912) 622-2733
CLICK HERE to apply now for a Hartford home.
