Announcements:

New Cultural Center in Lavonia

The City of Lavonia held the grand opening and dedication of their new Cultural Center on November 29, 2004. The once vacant National Guard Armory has been transformed into a warm, welcoming meeting hall and display center that will be enjoyed by hundreds--even thousands--in the months and years ahead. City leaders and members of the Downtown Development Authority and Better Hometown Program kicked off the holiday season with the Festival of Trees in the new center. For more information on the Cultural Center contact Better Hometown Manager Genny Cole, 706-356-8781

ARC Wireless Broadband Grant for Woody Gap School in Suches (Union County Schools) and North Georgia Technical College

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC has established a high-speed link to Woody Gap using a system of wireless towers to "hop" to the school. This connection will be the major component for providing the "pipeline" that North Georgia Technical College, Blairsville High School and Woody Gap School will utilize for video conferencing and distance learning. Partners in the project include James Thompson, Appalachian Regional Commission; Dr. James Watkins, North Georgia Technical College; Alan Polk, US Forest Service; Bill Driskell, Union County Schools; Erik Brinke, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC; Grace Duvall, North Georgia Technical College. For more information on the Woody Gap School Wireless Project contact James Thompson, ARC Program, 404-679-1584

Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Highway Dedication

A dedication ceremony for the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Highway was held Saturday, August 20, at the historic Union County Courthouse in Blairsville.

The Georgia General Assembly recently recognized the literary legacy of Reece by adopting House Resolution 295, which dedicates a portion of U.S. Highway 129 from Neels Gap to the historic Union County Courthouse as the "Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Highway" and names Reece "Georgia's Appalachian Poet/Novelist."

Representative Charles Jenkins introduced the resolution in the House, and Senator Chip Pearson guided it through the Senate. Both were present to make comments about their efforts to help increase the awareness of Byron Herbert Reece's literary legacy not only to North Georgia, but to the world.

"We are thankful that the Georgia General Assembly has recognized Reece in this very meaningful way," said Dr. John Kay, Chair of The Byron Herbert Reece Society, a non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate the public awareness of the literary and cultural contributions of Byron Herbert Reece throughout Georgia and the nation. For more information, visit www.byronherbertreecesociety.org.

The adoption of HR 295 fits into the plans of the Byron Herbert Reece Society to increase public awareness of Reece as a significant author and poet born and raised in Appalachia. In June 2004, the 9.4 acre farm and home place of Reece was donated to Union County by the Chattahoochee Oconee Forest Interpretive Association.

The BHR Society is working with Union County and other partners to develop the property into an interpretive center. The farm will be open to the public and will include a visitor's center, the Reece Plaza where visitors will be introduced to the life and works of the poet/novelist, barns original to the farm to be used for agricultural exhibits, and space where special events can be held.

Union County Receives HHS Grant for Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment and Counseling, August 2005

Union County Commission in collaboration with New Hope Counseling was awarded a grant of $1.5 million by Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant supports treatment in rural areas that have been particularly hard hit by methamphetamine abuse. Union County is the only Georgia recipient.

"Methamphetamine abuse causes great harm to children, families and communities, but it is a preventable and treatable problem that we are taking steps to address," Secretary Leavitt said. "The President's comprehensive approach, combining prevention, treatment, law enforcement and education is the most effective approach to reducing the public health threat of methamphetamine. These new grants are one part of our overall efforts to help state and local officials identify and address new and emerging trends in substance abuse."

The grant will provide $500,000 per year for three years to expand treatment services for 302 adults (25-60 years of age) with methamphetamine abuse and associated problems.

City of Hartwell designated a Water First Community

The designation recognizes the commitment of Hartwell to excellence in water resource management and stewardship.

At the presentation attended by local and state dignitaries including DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, the City officials were recognized for their outstanding leadership. "You are joining an elite group," Beatty said, citing Columbus, Savannah and Clayton and Gwinnett counties as the other designees. Among them, "Hartwell is unique for its size," Beatty said.

Hartwell is also unique as the first community in the WaterFirst program's inaugural class to reach this level of accomplishment. "That says a lot about your dedication to preserving water resources," he said.

In accepting the designee's award, Hartwell Mayor Matt Beasley cited Hartwell Water Department Head Ken Lystiuk for his work in accomplishing the program's recommendations.

WaterFirst was launched a year and a half ago as a technical assistance and recognition program to help communities make the connection between land use and water quality and quantity.

Since beginning the program, Hartwell has distributed educational brochures, implemented a meter change out program and notified customers of potential leaks within their homes.

The program focuses on eight water related components:

watershed assessment and planning
stormwater management

water supply planning
water conservation
water supply protection
wastewater treatment and management
water reclamation and reuse
residual biosolids management

For more information on the Water First Program, contact Leigh Askew (404) 679-4998, laskew@dca.state.ga.us or visit the DCA website:

http://www.dca.ga.gov/environmental/water_first.html

Changes to One Georgia Eligibility to benefit North Georgia
The Region 2 Advisory Council, along with the Georgia Mountains RDC, sponsored a workshop in December for government officials on changes to One Georgia Authority funding eligibility. The One Georgia Authority, created by the Governor and the Legislature in 2000, utilizes one third of the state's tobacco settlement to assist the state's rural areas. Many counties in North Georgia became eligible to apply for One Georgia funding as of January 1, 2005.  The workshop led by One Georgia Authority Executive Director Nancy Cobb and was held at North Georgia College & State University's Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega. For more information about the changes to One Georgia eligibility, visit the One Georgia Authority Website and click on program changes.

http://www.onegeorgia.org

DCA Launches Team Georgia

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched its Team Georgia approach to service delivery. Commissioner Mike Beatty says, "The purpose of Team Georgia is to be more effective delivering the services we offer our customers." Each of the 12 state service delivery regions will have a regional representative assigned to that area. The representative will interact with local governments and partners to facilitate DCA service delivery as needs arise. DCA assigns program staff on a super-regional basis in the areas of community development, economic development, quality growth, comprehensive planning, downtown development, leadership development, environmental assistance, affordable housing assistance, and volunteerism and community service. For information on Team Georgia in Region 2, please contact Kathy Papa, DCA Regional Representative Kathy Papa 770-965-8561, kpapa@dca.state.ga.us

Success Story:

Upcoming Events:

CDBG Applicants Workshop

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs will hold a Community Development Block Grant  (CDBG) applicant's workshop for local government leaders and other interested parties on January 19-21, 2005 at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta. The workshop will prepare attendees to submit an application for CDBG funds. Anticipated submission date for CDBG grant proposals is May 2, 2005. The CDBG Program provides funding to local governments in Georgia to assist with a wide range of eligible activities, including buildings such as local health centers or head start centers. All projects must substantially benefit low and moderate income persons. For more information, see http://www.dca.ga.gov/grants/CDBG%20App.%20Wkshop%20notice.pdf

Energizing Entrepreneurs Workshop to be held at Unicoi February 22, 23

Sponsored by the Region 1 & 2 Advisory Councils and MESO

Bring your Economic Development Team to learn how to make your community "Entrepreneur Friendly" and how to take steps to grow healthy businesses to contribute to healthy economic growth.

Who should attend: chambers of commerce, development authorities, city managers, commissioners, Better Hometown managers, anyone with an interest in how to maintain and grow economically healthy communities.

Workshop Activities:

• Discover the POWER of entrepreneurs
• Learn emerging strategies for successfully home-growing entrepreneurs from nationally recognized entrepreneurship economists
• Discover how to serve, assist, and communicate with entrepreneurs
• Identify techniques for energizing your community into action
• Develop your community game plan for using entrepreneurship to create healthy economic growth

"Entrepreneurship is the critical force behind innovation and new wealth creation-the key drivers of our country's economic growth." (NCOE commissioners)

"Networks aren't just good for individual businesses; they help promote regional economic growth as well. Regions with strong networks for entrepreneurs tend to have stronger track records in terms of new business starts and fast-growing businesses. Communities seeking to encourage local entrepreneurship should consider policies and programs that help create and nurture support networks for entrepreneurs."

MESO 's mission is to bring together communities in order to create an awareness of the value and potential of the entrepreneur and economic development in northeast Georgia and to help communities create a culture of economic prosperity that values and appreciates the efforts of local entrepreneurs.

Register online at www.northgatech.edu

Regional Meetings

Region 2 Advisory Council January 12, Gainesville