The partner connection, Nov. 2013

November 2013

NEWS AND EVENTS
Office of Construction Codes Wins Award for Excellence in Energy Code Compliance

The Georgia Main Street Program is now on Facebook! Like us and see what's
happening in downtowns from Blairsville to Brunswick.

Site Selection Magazine: Georgia Number One State to
Do Business
Governor Nathan Deal announced that Georgia's business climate has been named Number 1 in the nation by Site Selection magazine, one of the nation's top economic development trade publications. "Making Georgia the premier state in the nation for business has been a strategic goal from day one of my administration," said Deal. "We have worked hard to stay ahead of the curve

L-R: Traci Turgeon, Office Director Ted Miltiades, Max Rietschier, Commissioner Gretchen Corbin, Bill Towson, Calvin Jordan, Dee LeClair. Not pictured: John Watt
The Institute for Market Transformation and the Global Buildings Performance Network recognized the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as the State Level Winner of the Standard Bearers Award for Excellence in Energy Code Compliance. This prestigious national award honors state and local jurisdictions that have raised compliance with state energy codes and achieved energy reduction using smart and innovative cost-effective strategies.
DCA received the award for creating a low-cost statewide Duct and Envelope Tightness (DET) Equipment Loan Program. "Duct and Envelope Tightness" refers to the amount of heated or cooled air that a building loses and is an indicator of energy efficiency. In 2011 the Department adopted an energy code that required most new home construction to undergo testing for duct and envelope tightness. To defray the cost of this testing, the Department purchased the necessary equipment and loaned it to the Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG). HBAG then distributed the

and anticipate business needs not only today, but in the future. Achieving this national recognition means we are on the right track and reminds us of the importance of continuing to strive for excellence in all we do."
Congratulations to each of Georgia's local governments that has played a role in the success of our state as a whole. Read the entire article on the Site Selection website.

equipment to their local regional chapters to rent at very low rates. Additionally, DCA issued a grant to HBAG to administer the statewide equipment loan program for two years, after which each regional chapter will have the option to purchase the used equipment and continue the loan program voluntarily.
This innovative solution made testing equipment accessible across the state and helped lower the cost of DET testing from $600-$800 to $150-$200 per test. Homebuilders in Georgia benefitted from the program, as well as the families who have purchased those energy efficient homes and are now enjoying lower energy costs. Congratulations to the staff of the Office of Construction Codes for their work in energy efficiency, and for their national award recognizing this cost-effective strategy.

November 30 is Small Business Saturday
Georgia's downtowns are open for business! Since January 2013, more than 450 net new businesses have opened their doors in our 96 Main Street Cities. While we believe in
shopping locally at every opportunity, we want to especially encourage all Georgians
to get out and Shop Small Y'all on Small Business Saturday on November 30!

Celebrating Rural Georgia

Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Rural Development Council, the Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference at the University of Georgia Tifton Conference Center on October 30 was an educational opportunity for more than 250 people. Commissioner Gretchen Corbin and Governor Nathan Deal both addressed the audience, reiterating the importance of agriculture and the overall health of rural Georgia as keys to our state's economic and community success.

Commissioner Gretchen Governor Deal remarked on the work Corbin introduces Governor

that state and local governments have done to bring jobs to rural areas in 2013: the Caterpillar facility in Athens and the Baxter International facility in

Deal in Tifton. (photo credit: Lynn Ashcraft)

Newton County will both provide thousands of jobs for a large area of

rural northeast Georgia, while Engineered Floors' recent

announcement of a facility expansion in northwest Georgia will

provide a significant number of jobs for residents of rural

communities.

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Panelists throughout the day at Celebrating Rural Georgia discussed improving and increasing access to broadband services in rural areas, promoting agri-tourism as an economic driver for rural areas, and access to healthcare. Speaker presentations are available on the Georgia Rural Development Council website.
For more information about the Rural Development Council, contact Saralyn Stafford at Saralyn.stafford@dca.ga.gov.
UPCOMING DEADLINES, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

CDBG Workshop: December 11-13 in Macon

Register by December 4, 2013 for the Department of Community Affairs' Community Development Block Grant Applicants' Workshop, designed to help local governments submit competitive applications for the 2014 State CDBG Annual Competition.

Georgia citizens need quick and easy access to affordable housing options and we can 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 is easier with GeorgiaHousingSearch.org - the key to linking tenants with landlords. We offer FREE property posting, bilingual assistance, and a toll-free number (877-428-8844) available to those without internet access. Landlords can register in a five-minute process or work with DCA staff to register large-scale listings. For more information, please contact Ron Pounds at 404-327-6864 or ron.pounds@dca.ga.gov.

We'll be at the Macon Marriott City Center December 11-13, 2013. The hotel group rate is available until November 22, 2013. Our CDBG page provides conference and hotel registration information and a draft agenda.
For additional information please contact Lisa Smith at lisa.smith@dca.ga.gov.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
October Financial Awards
Region Two
Rabun County $300,000 in Employment Incentive Program (EIP) funds Spurs $200,000 in additional public (non-DCA) investment Spurs $2 million in private investment Creates 30 jobs The county will loan $282,000 to the Development Authority of Rabun County to assist GAP Partners, Inc. with the purchase of machinery and equipment.

City of Cornelia $17,000 in Immediate Threat and Danger (ITD) funds Assists 940 people Funds will assist in making street and drainage repairs on Clarkesville Street.

City of Oakwood $50,000 in ITD funds Assists 70 people Funds will allow the city to extend its public sewer system to an apartment complex that is using a septic system for wastewater disposal.

As of October 31, HomeSafe Georgia has assisted more than 4,300 individuals and families, committing more than $85 million in U.S. Treasury funding to help keep homeowners from foreclosure.

Region Eight
City of Byromville $36,000 in ITD funds Assists 443 people Funds will allow the city to repair its water filtration tank.
Region Nine
Wayne County $500,000 in EIP funds Spurs an additional $500,000 in public (non-DCA) investment

Spurs $2.5 million in private investment Creates 50 jobs The county will loan $470,000 to the Wayne County
Industrial Development Authority to benefit Williams Brothers Trucking, Inc. and Clyde Bergemann Power Group Americas, Inc. The EIP loan will finance leasehold improvements to the former American Welding and Tank property.
City of Ailey $20,000 in ITD funds Assists 394 people The city will construct a dechlorination unit on its Water Control Pollution Plant to comply with standards set forth by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
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