August 2008 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

**Nomination Deadline – Regional Water Councils – August 29, 2008**.

For more information, please visit www.georgiawaterplanning.org or contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at (404) 656-4713.

 

Executive Division News

Bush Signs Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  On July 30, 2008, President George Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, H.R. 3221.

The legislation provides important new tools for government agencies, homeowners and other key stakeholders to stem home foreclosures, stabilize foreclosure-rocked neighborhoods and finance affordable home mortgages and rental homes.

The legislation contains many provisions, including:

Also included in the legislation is a section entitled CDBG Emergency Assistance For Redevelopment Of Abandoned and Foreclosed Properties.  Additional information about this section is available at www.dca.ga.gov/main/News/index.asp.

A summary of the new law is available from the U.S. Senate Banking Committee at http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/HousingandEconomicRecoveryActSummary.pdf.

Going forward, DCA will work with its federal and private partners to determine how the legislation will impact Georgia.  As additional information is received, it will be shared with key stakeholders and partners in a timely manner.

 

DCA Commissioner Beatty, South Rome Redevelopment Corporation & Other Local Partners Join Forces To Train Community's Next Generation of Servant Leaders.   Fast forward.   Close your eyes and let's imagine Rome, GA in 20 years.  It's reasonable to expect that this vibrant Northwest Georgia community will continue its strong growth.  It's also reasonable to expect that Rome will offer a great environment for families and businesses to live, work and play.

One important question remains - who will lead this great community?  Who will be in place to continue the work that city leaders have started?  Rome's future leaders needed to begin their training now, while many were still young.

On Monday, July 21, 2008, Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) staff, South Rome Redevelopment Corporation (SRRC) board members, local business, civic and government leaders gathered to recognize the success of the community's newly launched Servant Leadership Academy.  Nearly 40 local students, in grades 4-6, are participating in the nine-week summer program. 

Action Plan Emerges From Meeting.  On January 23, 2008, DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty met with SRRC Board Members to discuss the community's redevelopment plans.   DCA and other state agencies had begun working with SRRC and other local partners on this effort through the various Appalachian Regional Commission initiatives and the agency's Signature Community Program .  

"Local leaders had previously identified South Rome as an area well-suited for development.  When we met with SRRC Board Members, everyone saw the value in extending the area's redevelopment beyond the buildings, beyond infrastructure improvements," said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty. "As the South Rome community was being redeveloped, we recognized a great opportunity to simultaneously develop the community's young people.  Strong leaders are a vital and consistent element to a community's growth.  

Following the meeting, DCA Commissioner Beatty and others toured Rome's Anna K. Davie Elementary School.  The group met with students participating in a leadership group established by Berry College student mentors. 

At the end of the visit, DCA and SRRC officials began discussions on how a servant leadership academy could be created in South Rome.  The team also decided to focus on local Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia members from grades 4-6.  

So, What Exactly Is Servant Leadership?  The phrase "Servant Leadership" was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, in an essay that he first published in 1970. In that essay, he said:

"The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions. The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."

"The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"

Since the "servant leadership" concept was introduced nearly four decades ago, its values have been endorsed by numerous modern day organizational and team building experts including Ken Blancard, Steven Covey, M. Scott Peck and many others.   Additional information about servant leadership is available at www.greenleaf.org.

Firm Program Foundation Yields Successful Academy Launch.  In June 2008, the doors opened for the inaugural Servant Leadership Academy.  Since its launch, nearly 40 energetic students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia have participated in this innovative summer learning experience.   Academy students will complete the nine-week program in early August 2008.

"The response of the academy participants, their families, local government leaders, local community organizations and Rome's business community has been wonderful.  Each group has been supportive," said Karen Moore, SRRC Executive Director.  "The academy's success clearly speaks to the collaboration and commitment of numerous partners.  Together, we've started an effort that will make Rome stronger."

Academy instructors were selected from Berry College, Shorter College and Darlington School.  The participating Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia donated facility space and transportation.  The City of Rome donated land near the academy for the creation of a "joint" youth/ community garden spot.  The Floyd County Master Gardeners will work with Academy students to create the garden.

LEFT PHOTO:  Academy student “checks out” garden spot.

Similarly, the Appalachian Regional Commission, River City Bank, the City of Rome and the Rome-Floyd Commission on Children and Youth provided grant funds or cash donations.

Next Steps.  The Academy's strong performance model has been well received.  Plans are in place to implement service leadership academies with other local Boys & Girls club for the upcoming school year.  Program partners plan to discuss next steps after completion of the current session. 

"There's a buzz in the air.  Other groups are excited about working with local youth on leadership development," said SRRC Director Moore.

"When we employ the TEAM approach of 'together everyone achieves more', a successful outcome is usually the result.  When a community's key partners -- educational groups, civic and business organizations and key governmental entities - come together, positive change can be created or continued," added DCA Commissioner Beatty.  "We applaud SRRC's leadership and the support of other local partners in their quick and successful implementation of the academy.  Training Rome's future leaders today places the community in a position to continue its upward momentum.  DCA looks forward to working with Rome leaders to move the effort forward and share it with other Georgia communities.

For more information about the South Rome Redevelopment Corporation, please call (706) 236-2826. 

REMINDER: New DCA Website & Email Addresses Are Coming – “Changes” Slated To Be In Place By Late Fall.  In July, DCA’s Information Technology gurus began working “behind the scenes” to implement a new e-mail naming standard for DCA staff.  The change, slated to be in place by late fall, will make DCA’s email addresses consistent with many other state agencies and support Governor Perdue’s plan for a common email naming standard. 

Along with the new email addresses, the IT Team is also working to make the DCA Website address consistent with new state government wide standards. 

When “all systems are go” for the new email addresses and website, we will alert DCA’s customers so that you can modify any DCA addresses on your email lists, in your address books and other relevant locations.  Thanks in advance for your support of this important effort.

Community Development & Finance News

REMINDER: One, Two, THREE Upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) / Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) Training Opportunities – Mark Your Calendars Now.  DCA’s Community Development & Finance Team has will host three training opportunities.  Summary information is provided below.

 

Construction Codes & Industrialized Building News

Casteel Named State’s Top Building Official.  Cherokee County’s Glenda Casteel was recently recognized as the 2008 Building Official of the Year. 

Casteel earned a special place in history as the award’s first female winner. 

This prestigious award is given by the Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG).  BOAG is the premier association for Building Officials in the State of Georgia and has celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. 

 

Pictured from left to right: Ted Miltiades, DCA’s Director -Office of Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings; Glenda Casteel, 2008 Building Official of the Year and Building Official - Cherokee County; Tom Carty, President - Building Officials Association of Georgia and Building Official of the City of Peachtree City; DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty; Max Rietschier, DCA Building Codes Consultant; Lee Smith, Building Official - Macon-Bibb County; and Gary Englebert, Director - Building Officials Association of Georgia and Building Official - of DeKalb County.

Customer Service News

Did You Receive Excellent Service From A DCA Staffer? New “Exceeding Excellence” Customer Service Recognition Program Allows You To Recognize A Job Very Well Done. In 2007, DCA announced an innovative effort that would allow DCA team members and our external customers to recognize DCA team members for providing excellent customer service. Excellent customer service goes above and beyond normal job duties.DCA “dubbed” this effort Exceeding Excellence.

Previous winners were Jo Childers (Downtown Development), Joseph DeGumbia (Administration), Angela Gregory (Housing Finance) and Joseph Tollison (Information Management).

Please consider nominating a DCA staffer that’s gone above and beyond! Information is available from our website’s front page – www.dca.ga.gov. Questions may also be directed to DCA Deputy Commissioner Phil Foil at pfoil@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-4940.

Downtown Development News

 

 

 

Douglasville To Host 2008 Georgia Downtown Conference – October 1-3. (Article Submitted To DCA Newsletter by Liz Hood, Cartersville Downtown Development Authority/ Main Street Program).  Every city in Georgia is invited to attend the Annual Georgia Downtown Association Conference, to be held this year in Douglasville, October 1-3. 

The conference provides opportunities for training, networking, sharing success stories, and ways to develop and promote your downtown.  This year’s theme, Homecoming 2008: Come Home to Downtown, will focus on back-to-school basics on successful downtown revitalization as well as offer a reunion setting for experience downtown professionals.

For Georgia’s Better Hometown and Main Street cities, the conference offers classes within the National Main Street Four-Point Approach ™ to commercial district revitalization of design, economic restructuring, promotions and organization.  DCA requires training for Better Hometown and Main Street managers as a component of the annual assessment process and attendance at the GDA conference is an approved training event.

Newly appointed Downtown Development Authority members may enroll in the 8-hour required class for new DDA members hosted by the Georgia Municipal Association on September 30, 2008.  Other attendees who benefit from attending this class are new DDA, Main Street and Better Hometown managers and elected officials who wish to learn more about the opportunities their downtown program can provide. 

Conference co-chair Marcia Hampton, Douglasville’s Community & Economic Development Director, says Douglasville, although a small community close to Atlanta, has pulled together tremendous community support to host the expected 250 attendees. Local support thus far includes city and county government, the chamber of commerce and the county development authority.  Local sponsors Georgia Power County., Greystone Power and Wellstar Hospital and others helped underwrite conference expenses.

For cities seeking quality training for staff and volunteers, Marcia said Douglasville offers affordable hotels nearby, and “lots of great restaurants downtown”.

Keynote speaker Margie Johnson opens the conference with "common sense approaches" to improving your downtown’s retail climate.  Owner of Shop Talk since 1984, she is a sought after retail trainer who teaches shop owners to be leaders, not just competitors. With 30 years in the retail industry, she has a special love of helping downtowns of all sizes.

The 2008 Georgia Downtown Awards program will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2008 at the Douglasville Downtown Conference Center.   In addition to recognizing the best downtown programs in 13 categories, two stellar awards are presented. The DCA Annual Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes a professional or leader at the public or private level who has shown leadership in the field of downtown development. One city each year is presented the GDA Annual Award of Excellence in Downtown Development, awarded to the city showing the greatest improvement in overall downtown redevelopment.

One of Georgia’s wittiest, most entertaining women, both on stage and off, Barbara Dooley will wow the audience at the closing session on Friday, October 2, 2008. A storyteller of unmatched proportions, she will rivet the crowd with stories of her decades spent as a football coach's wife.

To register for the Georgia Downtown Association Conference, please visit www.georgiadowntownassociation.org.

Environmental News

Regional Water Planning Councils – Nominations Due August 29th.  In accordance with the Georgia Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan, nominations for 28 seats (25 members and 3 alternates) on each of 10 regional Water Planning Council will be accepted through August 29, 2008. Self-nominations will also be accepted.

Nominations should be mailed to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. - Suite 1152 East - Atlanta, GA 30334.

Additional information regarding nominations is available at http://www.georgiawaterplanning.org.

Questions regarding nominations should be directed to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at (404) 656-4713.

Georgia Commission On Volunteerism News

Georgia Volunteers Contribute More Than 230 Million Hours of Service Annually.  On July 28, 2008, the Corporation for National and Community Service released its annual Volunteering in America Report which looks at volunteering trends across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 50 large and 75 mid-sized cities.  

Using data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the report presents an overview of formal volunteering at both the national and regional levels, as well as state and city rankings determined by volunteering indicators such as volunteering rate, intensity of volunteering, total hours donated, the types of activities volunteers perform, the types of organizations where people volunteer, and civic engagement.  All volunteer rankings are based on a three-year average (using data from 2005-2007). The report is available at www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov .

Based on report data, Georgia residents had an average of 33.1 volunteer hours per capita per year, with 1.7 million volunteers dedicating service to their state per year. Georgia's overall rate of volunteers was 24.2 percent, compared to the national average of 26.2 percent.

Georgians See Value In Volunteering.  "Georgians are strongly committed to volunteerism and community service," said Mike Beatty, Commissioner - Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).  "Community service and volunteerism are essential elements of a community's vitality.  Our strongest communities have engaged and involved citizens."

Georgia's AmeriCorps*State programs, administered and monitored by the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism (GCSV) are a part of DCA.

"Volunteers serve as a barometer of our nation's social and economic health," said Eric Tanenblatt, Chairman - Hands On Georgia and Board Member - Corporation for National and Community Service.  "Georgians are energized by opportunities to make their communities better.  Through Hands On Georgia, we look forward to building on our volunteerism track record and working with our partners statewide to make Georgia communities even stronger."

Hands On Georgia is a statewide network that supports innovative volunteer approaches to meeting Georgia's critical needs through service and civic engagement.  Hands On Georgia has 19 affiliates throughout the state.  For more information, please visit www.handsongeorgia.org . 

The 15-member Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) sets polices and direction for the Corporation, an independent federal agency which administers AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn and Serve America and other programs that engage four million Americans in service to meet community needs each year.  Board members are appointed by the President of the United States and require U. S. Senate confirmation.

Top 50 Rankings For Atlanta and Augusta .  Based on 2008 study data, both Atlanta and Augusta garnered "top 50" volunteerism rankings when compared against other U.S. cities of similar size.  Key highlights are presented below:

Atlanta

Augusta

Volunteering Adds Up - Georgians Give Nearly $4.5 Billion of Service Time Each Year.  Based on data averaged for the three year period from 2005-2007, Georgians annually contributed almost 229,575,000 hours of volunteer service totaling over $4.4 billion ($4,479,007,314) of service in 2007.

From this total, Atlanta contributed more than 150,026,000 hours on average, accounting for service valued at almost $2,927,017,000 for 2007.  Augusta contributed almost 15,690,000 hours on average, accounting for service valued at almost $306,109,000 for 2007.  These figures are based on the Independent Sector's annual estimation of the dollar value of a volunteer hour for 2007, which is currently $19.51. 

More Than 24K Answer Volunteerism Call From Georgia's AmeriCorps.  Through its AmeriCorps programs, Georgia benefited from the service of more than 24,000 people of all ages involved in more than 122 national service projects statewide.  These projects focused on meeting local needs, strengthening communities and increasing civic engagement.

Serving through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, these citizens tutored and mentored children, coordinated after-school programs, built homes and playgrounds, conducted neighborhood patrols, worked on environment projects, assisted with disaster response efforts and built nonprofit capacity by recruiting and managing volunteers.

In 2008, the CNCS will commit more than $15.4 million to support national service programs in Georgia.  In July 2008, the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism (GCSV) announced the award of nearly $2.5 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs.  Funds will be used to support 2008-2009 program efforts.

Interesting, Informative Volunteer Data Just A Click Away.  The Volunteering In America profile data is available online in an easy-to-use, interactive website, VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.  The site allows you to test your volunteering knowledge, learn about other states and cities and their volunteering habits, as well as seek out volunteer opportunities in your state or city. The comprehensive Web tool was developed by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Georgia currently has approximately 450 members serving in AmeriCorps programs statewide. Through their community involvement, Georgia's AmeriCorps members seek to instill values of responsibility and a service ethic while preparing for the future by improving their job-readiness, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Through May 2008, Georgia AmeriCorps members have provided nearly 268,300 hours of service tutoring and mentoring youth, responding to natural disasters, helping make our streets safer, building affordable housing, assisting underserved citizens, cleaning parks and streams, and recruiting, training and managing community volunteers. For more information on Georgia's AmeriCorps programs, please visit www.AmeriCorpsGA.org .

Georgia Rural Development Council News

REMINDER: Volunteers Needed For 2008 Georgia Youth Leadership Summit.   The 2008 Georgia Youth Summit is a statewide sponsored by the Georgia Rural Development Council and organized by the University of Georgia and Georgia 4-H.

The Summit’s primary goals are as follows: (1) create an awareness of state/local issues; (2) enhance youth-adult partnerships on the local level; and (3) equip youth to become active locally in the betterment of their community in the areas of economic development, education, health and safety.

Each county receives full scholarships for four youth and one adult to attend the Summit through funding provided by the Governor and General Assembly.

Volunteers are needed to train Georgia’s next generation of leaders.  More information is provided below.

WHO: We are looking for volunteers with knowledge of government and resource delivery at the state and/or local levels.

WHAT:  Volunteers will work directly with county teams to: (1) understand factors related to community issues; (2) develop plan to address local problems; and (3) connect team with resources and potential collaborators.

Volunteers will assist county teams of youth and adults as they develop plans to address local issues related to economic development, education, health & safety which they will take back and implement in their communities.

WHERE: Rock Eagle 4-H Center - Eatonton, Georgia

WHEN: You have two opportunities to volunteer.

Volunteers will listen to County Action Plans as they are presented in a Town Hall Meeting. A facilitator will coordinate the meeting, which will be organized by Service Delivery Regions. Volunteers will provide general feedback on county plans.

HOW: Contact Jeff Buckley, Extension 4-H Faculty - JBuckley@uga.edu – (706) 542-8735 OR   
Kathleen Bowen, ACCG - KBowen@ACCG.org – (404) 522-5022 for more information.

Additional Summit information is available at www.georgiayouthsummit.org

Housing News

New Record Set As Nearly 70 Tax Credit Applications Received For DCA’s Qualified Allocation Plan Tax Credits.   Nearly 70 applications were received for consideration under DCA’s Qualified Application Plan (QAP) 2008 funding round. In total, the applications requested $42 million dollars in federal Housing Tax Credits and more than $9 million dollars in federal HOME funding.

Each year applicants from across the United States compete for a limited amount of federal and state housing tax credits. This year, Georgia will use a competitive scoring process to allocate approximately $18 million in federal housing tax credits.

Georgia’s Housing Tax Credit Program is administered through DCA’s Office of Affordable Housing. The Housing Tax Credit Program provides a 10-year federal and state tax incentive to attract private investment for the development of affordable rental housing. To date, over 90,000 units of rental housing have been made available with approximately 3,000 units being added each year.

Based on the funding available, DCA’s Office of Affordable Housing anticipates over 3,200 units to be added from this competitive round. Projects selected for tax credits will be announced in late September 2008.

Additional questions may be directed to Tracey Edwards at tedwards@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-1581.

 

DCA, KSU & State Housing Trust Fund Unveil "Homeless In Georgia 2008".   Do you know the story of Million Dollar Murray?  A February 2006 article in the New Yorker  told the story of Murray Barr, a chronically homeless man living in Reno, Nevada.  Police officers had many interactions with Murray over the years.  They began tallying costs - for arrests, incarcerations, ambulance service and hospitalizations - over a 10-year period.  Said Reno Officer Patrick O'Bryan, "It cost us one million dollars not to do something about Murray."

So, what is the impact of homelessness in Georgia?  How many people are homeless in Georgia?  Is Georgia's homeless population old or young, located in the cities, suburbs or rural areas? What are the main causes of homelessness in Georgia?

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless (State Housing Trust Fund), Kennesaw State University (KSU) and a number of other partners collaborated to look at homelessness statewide.  The report, Homeless In Georgia 2008, offers an overview of the state's homeless problem and what is being done to address it. 

The report was officially "unveiled" at an event today, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at Genesis Shelter in Atlanta, GA.  The briefing preceded the regular meeting of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission. 

DCA and KSU officials led a discussion of the study's highlights. A full copy of the study is available on DCA's website at www.dca.ga.gov/housing/specialneeds/index.asp.

Study Findings Shed Light On State's Homeless Population.  The core of Homeless In Georgia 2008  was a count of homeless individuals on a single night in January 2008.  In late January 2008, counts were done in 18 counties.  The study also used 2007 homeless count data from Bibb, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Lowndes counties.

The county data was analyzed using an innovative sampling methodology and predictive model developed by KSU mathematics professors Dr. Jennifer Priestley and Dr. Victor Kane.  DCA's Dr. Lindsey Stillman served as the study's lead project manager.  

Key study highlights included:

Collaborative Approach Works For Georgia. Homeless In Georgia 2008 also highlighted several joint efforts statewide.  The State of Georgia has worked with federal, state, local and private partners for more than 20 years on homelessness.

With the creation of the State Housing Trust Fund in 1988, the State dedicated funding for helping individuals and families end homelessness.  Today, the Trust Fund provides funding to more than 200 homeless service providers statewide.  Funding, provided from federal and state dollars, may be used for homeless prevention, emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive services and permanent supportive housing.  State Housing Trust Fund members are appointed by the Governor.  Walter Huntley, Jr. serves as the group's chairman. 

In 2004, the State formed the Interagency Homeless Coordination Council.  Nearly 20 state agencies participate on the Council.  The Council's efforts are focused on coordinating the efforts of state agencies.  It meets quarterly and is jointly chaired by DCA and the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

Additional study partners included the faculty of Kennesaw State University's Mathematic Department and the A. L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research; State Housing Trust Fund For The Homeless; the State's other Continuums of Care (Chatham, Clarke, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Muscogee and Richmond counties); numerous state agencies; homeless advocates and other statewide experts.

Next Steps.  Per the report, research indicates the most effective strategy for addressing homelessness is moving individuals and families into permanent housing as quickly as possible.  Providing services to persons in "stable" housing situations have proven to be more beneficial to the person and more cost effective than "emergency-like" responses.

DCA will conduct a count in 2009.  Specific dates and counties are being determined.  For additional information on DCA's homeless programs, please visit www.dca.ga.gov.

GeorgiaHousingSearch.org - A Ready Resource During Critical Times.  Tornadoes, storms, you name it…when disaster strikes, everyone needs help.  In many cases, finding a place to live is a top priority.  No need to worry or panic as GeorgiaHousingSearch.org offers a FREE, easy-to-use and available resouce to help citizens quickly find affordable housing options in their community.

On the site – www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org -- citizens can search for rental properties statewide.  Property postings are detailed, current, and updated bi-weekly.  Property managers and independent landlords can post listings for free and reach thousands of potential renters. 

The website is bilingual (English and Spanish) and has a toll-free number – (877) 428-8844 - available to assist potential renters or property owners and managers.  In addition, the site’s unique Special Needs Housing Search feature has assisted Georgia caseworkers locate housing for hundreds of traditionally hard-to-place families and individuals. 

For more information, please contact Sheila Barry at (404) 679-4855 or sbarry@dca.state.ga.us.

REMINDER: GICH Is Looking For Your Community’s Application – September 8th Is Due Date. The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) is currently accepting applications for community participation through September 8, 2008.

GICH offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance to help communities create and launch locally-based plans to meet their housing needs. Participating communities will create a community housing team to develop new ideas about meeting local housing needs, learn about approaches and available resources to meet housing needs, and produce and implement their community housing plan. GICH partners with Georgia Municipal Association, DCA and the University of Georgia Housing and Demographics Research Center.

Applications for participation in GICH are available at UGA’s Housing and Demographics Research Center -www.fcs.uga.edu/hace/hdrc/gich/about.html. Interested communities may also contact Karen Tinsley, GICH Program Coordinator at (706) 542-4949.

Local Government Assistance News

It's 'Pomp & Circumstance' As Five Georgia Communities Earn Official Signature Community Designation.  It was the summer of 2005.  There was a buzz among Georgia's cities and counties about the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) "new" Signature Community Program.  The program offered a "holistic approach" to community development, a coordinated "blending" of resources from several state agencies and a level of technical assistance that could move communities from "good to great."

By early Fall 2005, nearly 60 communities submitted applications for DCA's Signature Community Program.  The applications were solid and well written.  After numerous hours of evaluation by volunteers from the Association of County Commissioners, Georgia Municipal Association, DCA and other partners, five communities were selected for the inaugural class.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, local leaders and residents representing the inaugural Signature Community Program participants of the City of Covington-Newton County, City of Forsyth, Cites of Kingsland/ St. Marys/ Woodbine-Camden County, City of Snellville and City of Tifton-Tift County traveled to the State Capitol to meet with Governor Sonny Perdue, DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, DCA Deputy Commissioner Jim Finch, DCA Regional Services Director Winfred Owens, DCA Signature Program Coordinator Patrice Williams and several other community and government officials to celebrate completion of the rigorous program.

To view photos from the event, please visit the Governor's photo archives at http://photos.gov.georgia.gov/gallery/5559168_9fXeV#340589680_DwkYg.

Signature Community Package Offered Unique And Valuable Benefits. Georgia communities interested in being considered for DCA's Signature Community Program were invited to submit individual or joint applications (with other cities or the county). Communities were evaluated on nine key "community indicator" criteria, including comprehensive planning, downtown revitalization, economic development, environmental management, infrastructure development, leadership programs, quality growth, safe and affordable housing and service and volunteerism.

Over a three year period, 17 communities were selected to participate in the program as follows.  Five communities were selected in 2005 - City of Covington-Newton County, City of Forsyth, Cites of Kingsland/ St. Marys/ Woodbine-Camden County, City of Snellville and City of Tifton-Tift County.  Seven communities were selected in 2006 - City of Barnesville, City of Colquitt/Miller County, City of Dublin, City of Flovilla/Butts County, City of Holly Springs, City of Rome and City of Toccoa/Stephens County.   Five communities were selected in 2007 - City of Calhoun; City of Fayetteville; Cities of Valdosta and Remerton; and Wilkinson County/ Cities of Allentown, Danville, Irwinton, Ivey, Gordon, McIntyre and Toomsboro.

Communities selected for the Signature Community Program receive a number of benefits, including:

DCA's Community Development and Finance, Housing Finance and Planning and Environmental Management divisions and other state agency program partners work closely with each community to provide the technical assistance required to address the identified objectives.

Projects Encouraged Communities To Stretch, Grow - Move From Good To Great.  "They did it!  The  communities recognized today responded to a call for a higher level of performance, a higher quality of life for its citizens," said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty.  "Each community established goals and worked with private and public partners to implement numerous community building projects.  It is an honor to spend time with citizens from these dynamic Georgia communities.  Each member community represented here has earned dual designations - as a Signature Community Program and as a role model."

Each Signature Community was asked to identify a project within its community that would benefit from the technical assistance, multi-agency support and grant funds provided through the program. 

For more information about DCA's Signature Program, please visit www.dca.ga.gov or contact Signature Program Coordinator Patrice Williams at pwilliam@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 323-9133. 

Planning & Quality Growth News

New Website Offers Comp Plan Examples.  DCA’s Planning and Quality Growth staff has developed a webpage that contains examples of actual comprehensive plans that have been reviewed and are considered good examples of how to address the Local Planning Requirements for each specific component, i.e., Community Assessment, Community Participation Program, and Community Agenda.

While the site contains some great examples, local governments are reminded that comprehensive plans should be tailored to fit each community’s unique local priorities and needs.

For more information, please visit  http://www.dca.ga.gov/development/PlanningQualityGrowth/programs/goplexamples.asp.

 

Helen CPI: More Than 60 Earn Certificates Of Achievement.  More than 60 Georgia planning commissioners, planning professionals, citizens and local leaders gathered in Helen from June 15-16, 2008, for the midyear Community Planning Institute (CPI).  

CPI sessions provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about the latest planning process tools and obtain hands-on experience in meeting the challenges associated with local planning.  These sessions offer a two-day program in planning concepts and procedures conducted by Georgia planning and legal professionals.  

Training for planning commissioners remains important because their job as advisor to the local elected officials on planning and land use issues have long-term impact on a community’s quality of life.  Further, training helps planning commissioners get a better understanding of planning and land use on the local level and empowers them to look at the big picture and make good decisions for all citizens of their community.

The next CPI will be held October 7-8, 2008 in Washington, GA.  Advance registration is required as class size is limited; registration is $150.00 per person.  For more information on how the Community Planning Institute can improve the quality of growth in your community, please contact DCA’s Office of Planning & Quality Growth at 404-679-5279 or visit www.GeorgiaPlanning.com.

Education Services Manager Goes GAZA.  Planning and Quality Growth Chrissy Marlowe presented “Planning Trends” to hundreds of zoning administrators, planners, attorneys, city officials, board members and code enforcement officials at the Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators’ Summer Conference.

Marlowe’s presentation addressed several key issues identified by the organization’s members. Questions about the presentation may be directed to Chrissy Marlowe at cmarlowe@dca.state.ga.us.

 

Reader Information

For more information on any of the topics included in this newsletter, please visit the DCA website at http://www.dca.ga.gov or call DCA’s main telephone number at (404) 679-4940 or TDD (800) 736-1155. Look for the next edition of DCA News on September 5, 2008.  If you wish to be removed from the DCA Newsletter distribution list, please send an email to unsubscribe@dca.state.ga.us.

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