The partner connection, Mar. 2011

March, 2011

In This Issue
10th Annual Leadership Day a Success
New DCA Board Members CDBG Benefits
Energy Codes Workshops Available
Main Street Institute GCSV Serving Georgia 2012 Consolidated Plan
POPULAR RESOURCES
American Recovery and Re-Investment Act
DCA Home

Governor Deal Speaks to Capacity Crowd on Leadership Day
Nearly 800 youth and adult leaders from across Georgia gathered at the Old Georgia Freight Depot for the 10th Annual Leadership Day at the Capitol event on Monday, February 7th. During the hustle and bustle of the day, Georgia Academy alumni and Adult Leadership participants engaged in networking with other communities and elected officials, while 4-H students learned the importance of participating in the
political process.
Governor Nathan Deal gave the keynote address, speaking on the importance of Servant Leadership. The Governor stressed the importance of having a passion for whatever you chose to do with your life, purpose and commitment.
The event kicked off with a welcome and acknowledgements by Commissioner Beatty. "We recognize how important it is to give youth and adults the opportunity to exchange ideas and to meet with their elected officials," said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty. "DCA remains proud to support the ongoing efforts of these committed citizens, and we look forward to the continued success of this event."
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, along with Representatives Susan Holmes, Jimmy Pruitt, Rick Jasper and Katie Dempsey, spoke to the importance of effective leadership and leadership development. Georgia Academy and Leadership Habersham graduate Jason Acosta added remarks about building the pipeline of leadership at the local level. Members of 4-H's Clover & Company provided entertainment during the event.

Exceeding Excellence

The Annual Leadership Day event is sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs, the Fanning Institute, Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.

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

DCA Board Welcomes New Members
DCA Deputy Commissioner Phil Foil welcomed two new Board members at the DCA February Board of Directors meeting, Mrs. Joyce Stevens and Mr. Harold Carlisle, who were appointed by the Governor to replace Representative Bruce Williamson and Attorney General Sam Olens, who left the Board to assume their new offices in January.
Joyce Stevens, of Good Hope, has been a partner for 16 years in The Stevens Group, a business consulting firm. She and her husband, John, own Stonebridge Enterprises, a cattle farm in Good Hope. Mrs. Stevens serves on the Board of Advisors for the

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.

Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Walton County.
Harold Carlisle, Macon, served 12 years as a Monroe County Commissioner, the last 4 as Chairman. He owned and operated an auto parts business in Macon for over 30 years, and is a retired Brigadier General of the Georgia National Guard. Mr. Carlisle has also previously served on the Boards of the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and the Georgia Development Authority.
Customer Service Award to Vickers
Congratulations to Patrick Vickers, this quarter's Exceeding Excellence Winner!
Current economic challenges had left one local government with 60 empty buildings in need of employers and infrastructure in need of improvements. Community leaders reached out to DCA for assistance. Patrick Vickers stepped in and began helping the community tap into the various tools within DCA's toolbox of resources. The community is now positioned to take advantage of Opportunity Zones, Less Developed Census Tracts, and infrastructure grants. As one satisfied customer put it "I have every confidence that we will soon have new job creation. And, that will be attributable to Patrick's resource matching and invaluable service."

Well done Patrick! Thank you for providing excellent customer service.

Connecting
Property Owners
and Prospective
Renters
Statewide
Now, more than ever, Georgia citizens need quick and easy access to affordable housing options and GeorgiaHousingSearch.or g is here to help! Whether you are searching by price, number of bedrooms, or even proximity to work, school or transportation, finding a home that meets your needs keeps becoming easier with GeorgiaHousingSearch.or g. There are thousands of vacant units in the rental housing market available statewide right now and GeorgiaHousingSearch.or g is the key to linking tenants with landlords! The additions of Atlanta and Marietta Housing

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
CDBG Brings Benefits to Georgians
The Community Development and Finance Division (CDFD) has recently published two brief reports that summarize recent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) accomplishments. Both reports are available at http://www.dca.ga.gov/communities/CDBG/index.asp.
The CDBG five-year overview provides data for recent CDBG projects that have been funded and are providing benefits to low- to moderate-income job seekers and residents. Highlights include the participation in the creation or retention of 10,634 jobs and almost $181 million in leveraged investment. In addition, almost 107,000 Georgians are being served by better fire protection, safer streets, new or improved sanitary sewer services, and code-compliant buildings that deliver health or senior services.
While results from the CDBG Stimulus program are just beginning to be measured, 23 local projects so far have benefited over 3,800 people with enhanced flood protection, other neighborhood and economic development investments, and new and retained jobs. One Stimulus economic development project alone was able to assist in retaining two businesses of regional importance and $24.5 million in private investment.
More information on the CDBG program and its benefits are available at the link above or by contacting DCA CDBG staff via the following link: http://www.dca.state.ga.us/DCAEmail/contactdca.aspx?totype=32.

Authorities underscore the commitment to meeting community needs and have dramatically increased the pool of housing units listed on the site. This expansion is particularly critical for planning ahead to serve displaced persons during other crises, a vital function during hurricane season. GeorgiaHousingSearch.or g offers FREE property posting, is bilingual, and has a toll-free number (877-428-8844) available to those individuals without internet access. The website also provides information on rental assistance, community resources and special needs housing. Landlords can register in a five-minute process or work with staff to register large-scale listings. Property owners are encouraged to post their affordable rental units to help make this site as useful as possible. For more information, please contact Sheila Barry at 404-679-4855 or sheila.barry@dca.state.ga. gov

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Office of Research Launches 2011 Wage and Salary Survey
The Wage and Salary Survey is an online annual survey that collects wage and salary information for over 185 local government job titles. The survey results are published annually on DCA's website in both pdf and searchable database formats. These reports are among the most valued and frequently utilized sources for compensation studies, budgetary planning, and staffing guidelines by local governments.
The 2011 edition of the survey has been significantly enhanced to provide for even greater data integrity, some new positions, and faster, friendlier, easier completion by our local governments. The survey was launched on February 22 and has a due date of June 30. We strongly encourage all local governments to participate in this survey.
DCA to Review 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC)
The State Codes Advisory Committee is currently forming the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) Task Force. The Task Force will be assigned to review the 2011 NEC and make recommendations regarding its adoption. The Task Force will be holding meetings during the spring in anticipation of a tentative adoption date of January 2012.
If you would like to be placed on the NEC 2011 Task Force Interested Parties List, contact Anthony Claffey, DCA Staff, at 404-679-4845 or anthony.claffey@dca.ga.gov.
Energy Code Training Workshops Available
State-wide training for the new Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code is now available. The 3 types of workshops offered include Residential, Commercial and Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Verifier Training (e.g. Blower door and Duct blaster testing). These workshops are made possible with funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in partnership with Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), Southface Energy Institute and Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Southface Energy Institute is providing the training for these workshops which are being coordinated through DCA. This training is intended to teach building inspectors, architects and engineers, general contractors and homebuilders, HVAC tradesmen and insulation contractors and others alike about the new 2009 International Energy Conservation Code with 2011 GA State Supplements and Amendments which became mandatory and effective statewide on January 1st.

For a current schedule of workshops and how to register, visit DCA's webpage at http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/ConstructionCodes/programs/EnergyCodeTrainingWor kshops.asp. Additional information about the training provided is also available at Southface's webpage at http://www.southface.org. Please check these websites often for updates.

If you need further assistance regarding the workshops schedule or would like to sponsor a workshop location, provide lunch and refreshments or help with any printing materials, please contact Traci Turgeon, DCA Workshop Coordinator at (404) 679-3118 or traci.turgeon@dca.ga.gov.

Main Street Institute heads to Dahlonega in March
We are pleased to announce this year's Main Street Institute will take place in beautiful Dahlonega, Georgia on March 16-18. Main Street Institute is a two and a half day training designed to provide an introduction to the Main Street 4-Point Approach to Downtown RevitalizationTM and explore the latest trends in its implementation. It is required of all newly hired downtown managers as a foundation for building and sustaining a successful program. Newly appointed board members are also encouraged to attend.
This year's keynote speaker, Kennedy Lawson Smith, is one of the nation's foremost experts on commercial district revitalization and development, independent main street businesses, and economically and environmentally sound community development. Her downtown revitalization and small business development work has been featured in news media ranging from the New York Times, Business Week, Forbes, Governing and Red Herring to "Donahue," "CBS Sunday Morning," and Public Radio International's "Marketplace." Registration information and materials are available at www.mainstreetgeorgia.org.
Hope to see you in Dahlonega March 16-18, 2011!
Congratulations to Middle Georgia Regional Commission and Atlanta Regional Commission!
Each region of Georgia is home to countless historic, natural, cultural and economic resources, all of which play a role in the well-being of the State of Georgia. The Department's rules for Regional Resource Planning, adopted in 2009, require that each Regional Commission examine their region's assets and resources, and complete a plan for how best to manage, protect, and enhance these resources for current and future generations of Georgia citizens.
Both Middle Georgia Regional Commission and Atlanta Regional Commission have completed and adopted their Regional Resource Plans, making them the first two in the state to have achieved this milestone. If you're interested in finding out what the citizens, elected officials, and staff of these regions have identified as Regionally Important Resources, and the methods they chose to manage them, the plans are available on the Department's Regional Plans page.
GCSV Serving Georgia
The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism (GCSV), along with GCSV board members, and GCSV AmeriCorps programs supported the planning efforts for

Governor Nathan Deal's statewide Day of Service. This Initiative, held on January 8th, was a part of his inauguration celebration. There were 30 projects occurring across the state, ranging from packing food boxes for seniors, rehabilitating homes for veterans, providing job search assistance to low income residents, to cleaning and restoring parks. The GCSV VISTA team members were also involved in supporting and planning for the projects within their respective local Regional Commissions throughout Georgia.

On January 17th, GCSV participated in the 18th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

service event, commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The day included community

conversations on health,

disability inclusion,

homelessness, hunger and

other critical community

needs. It concluded with a

service project to pack food for

families in Georgia, with over

1,500 volunteers throughout

Georgia. GCSV invited the

Corporation for National and

Community Service Chief

Executive Officer, Patrick

Corvington, where he served

An AmeriCorp member, Eric Tanenblatt (ViceChair) and Patrick Corvington (CEO) help with food
packing.

alongside GCSV AmeriCorps members. Eric J. Tanenblatt, of Atlanta, serves as the ViceChairman of the National

Board, adn also participated.

Visual Merchandising Workshops for March

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is pleased to present Visual Merchandising On Main, a unique workshop experience geared toward Main Street managers and merchants and anyone interested in stimulating retail sales with eye-catching window displays, improved product placement and positive image building.
We are offering two dates and locations for the workshop: Tifton - March 22nd Woodstock - March 23rd
Participants will receive a day of training with Susan Shaddox, interior design consultant with Main Street Arkansas. Prior to her position with Main Street Arkansas, Susan worked as an interior designer in the Hotel/Hospitality industry. As a member of the interior design team for Felcor Lodging Trust, Dallas, Texas, Susan designed for Embassy Suites, Sheraton Suites, and Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza suite brand hotels. Susan also worked in commercial interior design with Baptist Health Systems, Little Rock, Arkansas. Susan has designed window displays and in-store visual merchandising for numerous small retail businesses in Arkansas, as well as for Dillard's Department Stores. Having owned her own pet boutique for over 20 years, Susan has experience in all areas of retail and merchandising. Registration information and materials are available on our website: www.mainstreetgeorgia.org
So please join us for a day of training that is sure to be as insightful as it is fun! And remember to bring your walking shoes!

SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DCA Collaborates With Statewide Partners on the 2011 Homeless Count in Over 60 Communities
During the last week in January, 2011, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs partnered with over 60 communities around the state to conduct a count of homeless families and individuals in Georgia. The count will be used to provide data on families and individuals who meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) definition of homelessness. In the process of collecting that data, counties also collected data on families and individuals who are precariously housed and in danger of becoming homeless. DCA has partnered with Kennesaw State University who will use the data collected to create a statistical estimate of the number of homeless individuals statewide.
Sixty-Seven (67) counties participated in the count: Appling, Baker, Baldwin, Berrien, Bibb, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Carroll, Catoosa, Cherokee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dawson, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Emanuel, Glynn, Gordon, Grady, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Houston, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lanier, Lee, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Miller, Mitchell, Newton, Pierce, Randolph, Rockdale, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Ware, Warren, White, Whitfield, Worth. Chatham, Clarke, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Liberty, Richmond, and Muscogee County held their own surveys.
The work of all of these communities is an important part of understanding and responding to housing needs in Georgia. A report will be released in late spring with the results. For general questions about the 2011 count methodology, contact Lindsey Stillman at 404-327-6813 or lindsey.stillman@dca.ga.gov.
Comments Requested for State's 2012
Consolidated Plan
DCA has released for public comment the draft of the State's Consolidated Plan - Annual Action Plan State Fiscal Year 2012 (SFY2012).
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive planning document designed to examine the housing and community development needs of low and moderate-income households within Georgia. The Annual Action Plan is a summary of the actions, activities, and programs that will take place during the next year to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the strategic plan section in the Consolidated Plan.
The State of Georgia encourages citizens, public agencies and other interested parties to review the contents of the draft Annual Action Plan and to submit their written comments to the State. The Plan can be found on DCA's website under DCA News and Events-Public Notices. Copies of the report may also be obtained upon request from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at (404) 679-3125 or by email at housingplanning@dca.ga.gov.
All written comments should be emailed or addressed and submitted to: Consolidated Plan Annual Performance Report c/o Georgia Department of Community Affairs Housing Finance Division Attn: Christy Fletcher

60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329-2231 All comments must be received in writing or at DCA no later than Monday, March 7, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
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