TIFTON — Tifton is considering a new program that could provide residents with assistance in financing gas appliances.

Tifton City Council reviewed an on-bill natural gas appliance financing program during a recent meeting, proposed and presented by the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia.

City Manager Emily Beeman said the program would assist city customers by providing them with a loan of up to $6,500 for use in financing and installing natural gas appliances.

Eric Groom of MGAG said the authority feels its natural gas customers are being neglected and wants to help them save money through the program.

To benefit from the financing program, Groom said interested customers would have to fill out an application specific to the city, then undergo a financial background check to examine their purchase history with the city during the last year.

Once approved, customers would be able to send in contractor invoices for gas appliance installation and a check would be prepared for the customer to pick up. MGAG would be notified of the project and would wire money to the city.

Groom said customers would repay their loan through their utility bill, adding a fee for the next 60 months or less, depending on the amount financed.

He assured council there would be zero interest on the loan but stressed only single-family residences would be able to benefit from the program, excluding rental properties and multi-family residences.