The partner connection, Aug. 2010

August, 2010
In This Issue
Governor's Commendation New DCA Board
Leaders Litter Enforcement
Workshop Georgia Downtown
Conference Regional Planning Task
Force Continuum of Care
Awards
POPULAR RESOURCES
American Recovery and Re-Investment Act

Governor's Commendation Awarded to DCA's GCSV
DCA has been recognized once again for the Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service, this time earned by the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism in a special effort led by Kate Webb.
As the leader for GCSV's AmeriCorps grant management, Ms. Webb helped direct the GCSV team through a challenging period of program expansion in early 2010. Kate has a history of consistent high performance and exceptional customer service, and is an expert on state and federal policy regulating grants awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and has used her expertise in this field to benefit customers by providing prompt and accurate information that is user friendly and critical to their success.
Along with Candice Gunn, Ruben Burney and Zaneta Ivery, Ms. Webb demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service while exceeding the goals of the agency during the first six months of 2010. At this time, two new programs (Learn and Serve and VISTA) added a substantial new workload to an already busy staff that was challenged by the loss of a key member. The customer service contact and grantee contact logs for the GCSV staff reflect the impact of this increased workload. During the first six months of 2009, the GCSV staff fielded 2,222 customer calls and requests, and initiated 221 contacts to grantees. During the same period of 2010, the customer service calls rose to 3,188 and the grantee contact number jumped to 570, even though the GCSV team was smaller due to the loss of an employee.

DCA Home

Shown is Kate Webb All members of the GCSV team added extra duties

accepting the commendation from
Governor Perdue

while meeting ambitious deadlines for the two new programs, and continuing expanded AmeriCorps program commitments. Because of their efforts, Georgia was able to preserve the $686,101 federal

Learn and Serve grant for Georgia schools, and to receive $255,288 in statewide VISTA

Project funds which will support Georgia's Regional Commissions with a VISTA volunteer

staff member for one year.

We join the Governor in saluting the excellence represented by Kate Webb and the GCSV team at DCA!

Exceeding Excellence
Did You Receive Excellent Service From A DCA Staffer? DCA's "Exceeding Excellence" Customer Service Recognition Program Allows You To Recognize A Job Very Well Done. Please consider nominating a DCA staffer that's gone above and beyond! DCA's "Exceeding Excellence" recognition program affords DCA team members and our external customers the opportunity to recognize DCA team members for providing excellent customer service. Information is available from the DCA website front page www.dca.ga.gov, Click on the "Customer Feedback" link and complete the information.

Opportunity Zones Designated
Opportunity Zones are becoming a popular tool for redevelopment in many of Georgia's communities, and can assist local governments in their redevelopment & revitalization efforts within certain older commercial and industrial areas. Local governments can now qualify those areas for the State's maximum state job tax credit of $3,500 per job.
The incentive, which is available for new or existing businesses which create two or more jobs in the Opportunity Zone, comes in the form of credits which can be taken against the business's income tax liability and state payroll withholding. The credits are available for areas designated by DCA as "Opportunity Zones". DCA will consider designations for areas that are within or adjacent to a census block group with 15% or greater poverty where an enterprise zone or urban redevelopment plan exists.
Opportunity Zone Tax Credit Incentives: the maximum Job Tax Credit allowed under law - $3,500 per job created the lowest job creation threshold of any job tax credit program - 2 jobs use of Job Tax Credits against 100 percent of income tax liability and withholding expansion of the definition of "business enterprise" to include all businesses of any nature
Since the program kicked off in 2004, 33 local governments have met the requirements and submitted applications for an Opportunity Zone designation (some have multiple zones). To date, 44 Opportunity Zones have been designated by DCA. Three recent industrial announcements have come from Marietta and Union City, estimating that almost 1,100 new jobs will be created in the next 3-4 years with $88 million in private investment.
The most recently designated Opportunity Zones (3) are a joint request from Blairsville and Union County. Recognizing the importance of encouraging new development, redevelopment and revitalization in areas that are suffering from increasing levels of poverty, are underdeveloped, or are suffering from blighted conditions, the city and county are making concerted efforts to enhance the county's economic base by diversifying its business recruitment and product development efforts. The three approved Opportunity Zones are seen as an important part of this effort.

Designated Opportunity Zones (as of August 9, 2010)

Acworth

Milledgeville (2)

Augusta-Richmond County (3)

Monroe

Blairsville-Union Conty (3)

Norcross

Cedartown (4)

Ocilla

Cherokee County (2)

Payne City

Cornelia

Perry

Covington

Quitman

Cuthbert

Roswell

Darien

Sandy Springs

Eatonton

Social Circle

Forsyth County

Tifton

Gainesville

Union City

Griffin (2)

Valdosta

Gwinnett County

Walton County

Hawkinsville & Pulaski County

Washington

Kingsland

Whitfield County

Marietta (3)

To see more information about the Opportunity Zone program, and get specific contact information, please click here.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Community Planning Institute in Tifton
Save the dates! The Community Planning Institute will be in Tifton October 12-13, 2010. Register now for the popular Community Planning Institute! We limit class size to allow each participant a full opportunity to learn in small groups and take part in class discussions. The Community Planning Institute provides training for citizens, staff and elected officials involved in planning and land development in their communities. We emphasize the importance of a community vision in planning for the future, the role of the planning commissioner in helping define that vision and how to work with your community's citizens and governing body to make that vision a reality.
For more information: CLICK HERE To register, contact Annette Henson at Annette.henson@dca.ga.gov or by phone at 404-679-5279. We look forward to seeing you there!
KGB Litter Enforcement Workshops Scheduled
Register now for a space in Cuthbert on August 13, 2010. Learn how to make your community safer by taking the time to enforce Georgia's Comprehensive Litter Prevention and Abatement Act. The Act, passed during the 2006 Legislative Session, makes it easier to cite someone for littering or illegal dumping and has authorized additional courts to hear those citations. Attendees will learn how the law has changed, how aggressive litter enforcement has been used as a deterrent to additional crimes, and how to work with court officials and others to successfully deter littering and illegal dumping. Attendees will walk away with a litter enforcement resource toolkit for use by law enforcement personnel (earn 4 POST credits). For more information please click here.
2010 Georgia Downtown Conference, Sept. 29th to Oct. 1st
There is only one gathering in Georgia each year that brings together people who understand exactly what kind of work you do... the kinds of opportunities specifically available to a community like yours... the types of challenges you face and the creative ways to overcome them. It's the Georgia Downtown Conference!
The 2010 Georgia Downtown Conference and Annual Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Georgia Downtown Association in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provides educational workshops, an exhibition area, receptions, panel discussions, and the Georgia Downtown Awards. It is designed to further educate individuals on issues affecting downtown development on a national and statewide level, reinforce existing downtown development efforts, and plan for future initiatives.
Nearly 30 sessions, tours, and networking events are available to assure you an enlightening conference experience. Speakers from across Georgia and the Southeast will be on-hand to provide you the best possible resources for enhancing your downtown. Topics include job creating tools, business improvement districts, energy efficiency, business retention, tax credits, entertainment venues, cultural and heritage tourism and much more. Donovan Rypkema, an industry leader in the economics of preserving historic

structures, will be the keynote speaker at the conference's opening session on Wednesday.
And, what better place to experience downtown revitalization than in Augusta, Georgia? Downtown Augusta serves as the focal point for a metropolitan population of 500,000, and has undergone major public and private investment in revitalization and beautification initiatives. Today, downtown is Augusta's center of community activity.

Registration is now available for the Georgia Downtown Conference. For more information, visit our website or contact Kimberly Carter, kim.carter@dca.ga.gov, 404679-0604.

New Officers for State Codes Advisory Committee
Commissioner Mike Beatty has appointed the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) leadership for the next term. The officers for the SCAC 2010-2011 term are Morgan Wheeler, Chairman; Tim Williams, Vice Chairman; and William Guinade, Secretary. They will serve two years in this capacity. In addition, effective August 1, 2010 Joel Rodriguez with Gwinnett County has been selected to serve out the remainder of the code enforcement officials vacancy.

The State Codes Advisory

Committee plays a major role in

the development and review of

the State Construction Codes.

The committee is made up of 21

members who are experts in the

various codes and who are

chosen to represent the diverse

interests of Citizens, Builders,

Codes Enforcement Officials,

Designers, and other groups.

Commissioner Mike Beatty, Secretary Billy

The Commissioner of the Department of Community

Guinade, Vice Chairman Tim Williams, Affairs, the Georgia Safety Fire

Chairman Morgan Wheeler, and Director Commissioner and the

Ted Miltiades are pictured.

Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, or their

designees, are ex officio members of the Advisory Committee. The remaining members

are appointed by the Commissioner of DCA. The SCAC advises the DCA Board on the

adoption of any new code editions and/or amendments.

Commissioner Beatty and staff would like to thank all those organizations and individuals who serve on the SCAC. DCA is always seeking individuals to serve in various capacities and individuals may be selected for future public service. If you need additional information, please contact Ted Miltiades, Director, at 404-679-3106 or at ted.miltiades@dca.ga.gov.

SCAC Members and Staff

First Meeting for Regional Planning Task Force
In partnership with Georgia's Regional Commissions, the Office of Sustainable Development has created the Regional Planning Task Force, which will provide opportunities for OSD and RC staff to learn from each other about the most critical issues we share. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 1:00 - 3:30 PM at the Middle Georgia RC in Macon. Agenda topics will include RC success stories, regionally important resources, and regional plans. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Smith at 404-679-0666 or by email at Elizabeth.Smith@dca.ga.gov.
Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards - Apply Now!
Let's Keep Georgia Beautiful provides recognition for you, your organization, and your volunteers. Do you need to heighten awareness of your program with a city council, board of directors, students or your boss? What better way to attract new funding, business and civic partners or volunteers than to have an award-winning program? Information and applications may be found here (please click). Winners will be honored at the Annual KGB Awards Event to be held in Atlanta, GA this coming November. More details to come! Questions? Contact us at KGBAwards@dca.ga.gov or call Kim Portmess,404-679-1580.
SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Seven New Projects Awarded to Balance of State Continuum of Care
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that 7 projects in the Balance of State Continuum of Care will receive an additional $3.6 million in funding from U.S. Housing and Urban Development to support an additional seven (7) Continuum of Care projects.
DCA coordinates the Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care, which covers 152 of Georgia's 159 counties. Continuum of Care funding is used to provide support to local homeless assistance projects across Georgia. The seven new projects, located in Brunswick, Gainesville, Valdosta (2 projects), Statesboro, and Clayton County (2 projects), will be added to the existing 56 renewal projects that were awarded in December, 2009.
In December, DCA was also awarded 15 Shelter plus Care renewal projects in other Continuum of Care across the State. HUD's Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. Continuum of Care grants provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons.
For more information contact Lindsey.Stillman@dca.ga.gov

www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org - Preparing for a Disaster
Every disaster that results in housing displacement, whether a hurricane or a house fire, is devastating to the individuals affected. GeorgiaHousingSearch.org provides that safety net of affordable housing opportunities needed for disaster victims and to those providing services so that a residence may be re-established while lives are being rebuilt. This easy-to-use web site lists immediately available rental properties. Families and individuals can search by location, price range and housing description, including number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as by a host of other amenities.
Property owners in Georgia who have a property for rent can list their available properties on the site AT NO COST. The website is bilingual (English and Spanish) and has a tollfree 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 many traditionally hard-to-place families and individuals.
For more information, please contact Sheila Barry at (404) 6794855 or sheila.barry@dca.ga.gov
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
The Housing Finance Division's Office of Affordable Housing received 72 applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Of the applications received, approximately 44% were for senior housing with the remainder reserved for families. The Housing Tax Credit program allocates federal and state tax credits to owners of qualified rental properties who reserve all or a portion of their units for occupancy for low income tenants. For a complete list of the 2010 Applicants for Funding, visit OAH Applicants Funding List. Award announcements are expected at the end of this calendar year.
If you wish to be added to our subscriber list, please send an email to dcacomm@dca.ga.gov with your request. Thank you ~ DCA Newsletter Team