Regional Assistance Program
Program Description | Downloads & Related Links | Contact Information
Program Description
The Regional Assistance Program (RAP) is an effort of DCA for the support of multi-county and regional collaboration in economic development. RAP grants are available throughout the fiscal year to joint development authorities, local governments, local government authorities, and regional development centers. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, regional facilities including industrial parks, business parks, conference centers, and convention centers; regional water and sewer treatment facilities; regional transportation and communication facilities integral to the advancement of economic development efforts; consolidation activities for government services; regional planning, studies, marketing and recruitment programs; or any other economic development and business assistance multi-county activity important to regional economic development.
When Funds Are Available
Grants are available up to $500,000 per multi-county or regional economic development implementation project. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 1 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 1 county are not required to match the requested grant amount. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 2 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 2 county must match at least one-quarter (25%) of the requested grant amount. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 3 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 3 county must match at least one-half (50%) of the requested grant amount. Applicants for facilities and construction grants in local governments within Tier 4 counties or in joint development authorities including a Tier 4 county must match an equal or greater amount of the requested grant amount. Applicants for grants for multi-county activities that do not involve construction must match at least one half (50%) of the requested grant amount.
Project Eligibility
In order to qualify as a multi-county or regional construction or acquisition project, a facility must:
| a) | be owned by at least two local governments with the participation of at least two counties, or |
| b) | be owned by a joint development authority involving two or more counties. |
All regional construction or acquisition projects must operate under a revenue sharing agreement among two or more local governments. Multi-county or regional non-construction activities must demonstrate service to a multi-county area.
Impacts of Proposed Projects
Project applications will be reviewed based upon enhancement of multi-county or regional economic development opportunities including, but not limited to:
- numbers and types of jobs to be retained and/or created,
- impact on the state, regional and community tax base,
- likelihood of success in leading to the retention of jobs within the multi-county or regional area or enhanced job creation,
- improved regional competitiveness and long-term ecnomic viability, or
- other regional impacts identified by the applicant.
Other considerations for review include degree of local commitment and financial support, total private capital investment, level of need evidenced by regional poverty and unemployment rates, fiscal capacity of participating governments and other demographic factors, consistency with the region’s economic development goals and objectives, capacity of the implementing organization, project readiness and feasibility, and reasonableness of cost estimates.
Downloads & Related Links
RAP Application Manual (PDF)
RAP Application & Instructions (PDF)
RAP Program Budget (PDF)
Printable RAP Fact Sheet (PDF)
1998 Awards (PDF)
1999 Awards (PDF)
2000 Awards (PDF)
2001 Awards (PDF)
2002 Awards (PDF)
Contact Information
Applications may be submitted in writing following the publication of a Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) throughout the fiscal year. For application packages and additional information contact: Irette Patterson at (404) 982-3506, Brian Williamson at (404) 679-1587, or any DCA Regional Representative.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231
