VIDALIA — A private investor is in the beginning stages of constructing a new 50-apartment complex in Vidalia.

The investor, who the city would not yet name, is seeking federal assistance to fund the approximately $7.9 million project, and the city recently adopted a development plan to assist him.

The complex will be located on U.S. 84 across from Walmart on roughly 10 acres of land. The apartments will be two and three bedrooms each, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said.

“It is going to be one of the better complexes we have,” he said. “We have one other complex in the city now and it is always full and has a waiting list.”

Copeland said he hopes the new development will ease a tight housing market in Vidalia.

“There is not a day that goes by where someone calls me asking for apartments or a house to rent,” he said. “We sorely need places for people to live.”

Copeland said Vidalia needs more housing options to help the town grow.

“If you have nowhere to live, no one will want to live there,” he said.

Copeland said Vidalia is a very marketable place for new residents.

“Low crime, low tax, good school systems and a new multi-million dollar municipal complex,” he said. “People want to move here, we just need places for them to stay.”

City Manager Ken Walker said the application for the complex funding should be back in 30 to 60 days, and if it is accepted, it would help bring more people to the area.

“There is a shortage of places to live,” Walker said. “(Vidalia) has a good quality of life, and I think the demand for apartments will be great.”

Walker said the complex would also be something that helps the area by allowing a nicer option for people looking to rent.

“I think it is extremely important for city development,” Walker said.

“It could help the city have opportunities for nice affordable apartments.”