The partner connection, Sept. 2013

September 2013

NEWS AND EVENTS
Let Freedom Ring: Georgia Celebrates the Fiftieth Anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Atlanta Business Chronicle Features
Commissioner Corbin

L-R: Interim CEO of DeKalb County, Lee May, Commissioner Gretchen Corbin, and Senator Emanuel Jones celebrate atop Stone Mountain.

In its September 16 edition, the Atlanta Business Chronicle ran an
executive profile of our Commissioner. Read the article for an
in-depth view of her work and

August 28, 2013 was the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech, and Georgia commemorated the day with a celebration on top of Stone Mountain. The MLK Jr. Advisory Council and the Department worked with The King Center, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, the City of Stone Mountain and Stone Mountain Park to host the event.
Commissioner Corbin noted "We can see many changes in our own state from where we stand today. We have come so far in so many ways and are still making progress to realize Dr. King's dream for the future of generations

philosophy of community and economic development.
Welcome and Congratulations
On October 1, we will welcome two new staff members to the Department:
Phil Smith will be joining the DCA team as Chief Operating Officer, and will serve on the Executive Team with Phil Foil and Deputy Commissioners Chubb, Ellis, and Williamson. Phil currently serves as the Director of Government Relations and the Southern Regional Director for the nonpartisan Concord Coalition, a grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about long-term federal budget issues and their consequences for the future.
Niki Knox will be rejoining the Department as Director of Governmental Relations, coming most recently from Georgia EMC where she served as Senior Community Development Manager, the regional contact for economic and community development activities in 59 northern Georgia counties. Niki was previously with our Department as Regional Representative for the Office of Downtown Development in regions 1, 2, and 4, and prior to that served as Main Street Director in both Douglas and Valdosta in South Georgia.
We're congratulating other staff members as they transition to new responsibilities and celebrate dedicated careers of public service:
Phil Foil will move into the

to come. This is a process that never ends." She added, "The March on Washington was a march for jobs, as well as freedom, and Governor Deal has made jobs for Georgians his number one priority - jobs that benefit every citizen in Georgia, and every community across our state. At the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, we pledge to continue working with our federal, state and local partners to increase the opportunities for all of our citizens to have work that sustains them and the communities in which they live."

Senator Emanuel Jones (D-10) thanked Lee May, DeKalb County's interim CEO, and Mayor Patricia Wheeler of Stone Mountain for hosting and participating in the event, and Stan Morrell of the Stone Mountain Park for providing the venue for the event. Senator Jones added, "Today is a new day for Stone Mountain - it now stands for freedom from hate. We are the dream-keepers, everyone here today, and we will continue, we still have work to do." Karyn Greer of 11Alive News, led the celebrants in concluding the event with the ringing of bells in honor of Dr. King's famous words, "...let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia..."

Athens-Clarke County: Georgia's Newest WaterFirst Community

Athens-Clarke County became Georgia's 27th WaterFirst community this summer. Deputy Commissioner Brian Williamson congratulated the staff and elected officials of Athens-Clarke, noting, "Your leadership by example has inspired your colleagues to move beyond basic requirements and into the pursuit of excellence in water resource management."

The Athens-Clarke WaterFirst program includes a stormwater management utility that can serve as a statewide model, an extensive public education campaign focused

Deputy Commissioner Brian Williamson congratulates Athens Mayor Nancy Denson for the community's hard work and commitment to water resources.

on children and adults, and a greenspace protection program that has led to

miles of parks and trails along the Oconee River.

The Department's WaterFirst program is a voluntary partnership between local governments, state agencies and other organizations working together to increase the quality of life in communities through the wise management and protection of water resources. In addition to cleaner water resources, communities that choose to pursue the WaterFirst designation are eligible for financial incentives through GEFA, the Department's CDBG program and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For more information on the WaterFirst program, contact Deatre Denion at Deatre.denion@dca.ga.gov .

Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism Welcomes New Board Members

role of Special Assistant to the Commissioner to implement all special projects for which we are responsible, in addition to continuing as the strong daily guide for our organization.

Governor Deal recently appointed six new members to the

Board of

the

Congratulations and thanks Georgia

to James Thompson, ARC

Commis

Program Manager, on his

sion for

official retirement from DCA. Service

James has brought more than and

227 projects to fruition, with investments of nearly $50 million to the ARC

Voluntee rism, a L-R: (Back row) Deborah Silcox, Chair; Amieko Watson, program Executive Director; Phil Foil, DCA Chief Operating Officer; Earl

communities during his

supported Cooper, Stuart Wilkinson. (Front row) Harvey Persons, Hannah

tenure, including projects as

by the Grady, Dr. Cayanna Good , Claire Bartlett

diverse and impactful as

Departme

Paradise Gardens in

nt of

Summerville, the Bryon

Community Affairs, whose mission is to promote service and volunteerism in

Herbert Reese Heritage Farm Georgia through AmeriCorps national service grants, community volunteer

in Union County, the

recognition, and support of local volunteer organizations and efforts. The

Dahlonega Diving Bell project GCSV works with local governments, educational institutions and non-profit

in Lumpkin Co. the Bed, Bath organizations across Georgia to fill a variety of community needs.

and Beyond Distribution

Center in Jackson County and the Lowes Distribution Center in Rome. James will continue to train and assist our new ARC program manager, Michael Harden.

The Department welcomes these new board members and looks forward to our continued partnerships to "get things done" in Georgia. For biographies of each board member, see the GCSV About the Board page. For more information about the Commission, contact Amieko Watson at amieko.watson@dca.ga.gov .

Congratulations to Michael,

who will be working with

Voluntary Guidelines Released for Schools' Carbon

James over the next 9 months to ensure a smooth transition

Monoxide Detectors

for the Appalachian Regional Commission program.

The Department of Community Affairs' State Codes Advisory Committee established a special task force in January at the request of Governor

Nathan Deal, to examine the need for carbon monoxide detectors in

schools.

Georgia Bikes! is offering free registration for elected officials for its upcoming Bike Summit, October 1820, 2013 in Roswell. Workshops and breakout sessions will emphasize the many economic benefits of creating
bike friendly communities and will even feature a few opportunities to

After a review of the facts and available information during the winter and spring of 2013, the committee completed its Final Report in July 2013 and the Board of the Department of Community Affairs adopted it at its August meeting.
Commissioner Gretchen Corbin noted, "The task force found that a mandate to require carbon monoxide detectors in all of Georgia's 8,000+ schools might not always be the best solution to the problem. The task force found that a school-by-school assessment of need by local officials, combined with good training for school staff is more beneficial than a state mandate."
For more information regarding the work of the task force or the voluntary guidelines issued, please contact Ted Miltiades at ted.miltiades@dca.ga.gov.

ride a bicycle. For a complete agenda, see the conference
registration page.

UPCOMING DEADLINES, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference: October 30, 2013

Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Annual Awards

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tifton UGA Campus Conference Center
This year's Celebrating Rural Georgia event, sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Rural Development Council, will feature a keynote address by Governor Nathan Deal, remarks by new DCA Commissioner Gretchen Corbin, and expert panels on three Georgia Rural Development Council policy initiatives:

It's time to nominate your community for a Keep Georgia Beautiful award!
We're looking for those whose ongoing efforts in community greening, waste reduction, and/or litter prevention exemplify leadership in protecting Georgia's environment. Go to the Keep Georgia Beautiful website to learn about specific awards and how to nominate a person or organization. Nominations are due
October 15, 2013.

Rural Broadband AgriTourism Rural Access to Healthcare Dr. Jeff Humphreys from the University of Georgia Selig Center for Economic Growth will present a commissioned study, "Evaluating Retiree Based Economic Development in Georgia," as our luncheon speaker.
Registration is open, and the $20 fee includes a continental breakfast and an outstanding "Georgia Grown" lunch.
Use this link to register, and scroll to October 30.
We look forward to seeing you there!

DCA staff will be partnering with Department of Labor and other agencies to provide information on HomeSafe Georgia requirements at the following events:

Augusta and Military Community Hiring Event and Job Resource Expo, September 20, 2013; 10 AM - 2 PM; Miller-Motte Technical College, NW Frontage Road, Augusta

4.250%

West Georgia Career Connect Expo and Job Fair, September 26, 2013; 10 AM - 3 PM; New Community Church, 1200 S. Davis Road, LaGrange

Georgia Dream First Mortgage FHA/VA/RD/Conventional Uninsured
with or without a Georgia Dream Down Payment Loan
For complete information, click HERE.

Veterans' Career Fair & Diversity Job Expo, September 26, 2013; 10 AM - 2 PM; Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta
2013 Northeast Georgia Job Fair/Career Expo, September 27, 2013; Noon - 3 PM; North Georgia Technical College - Currahee Campus, 8989 GA Highway 17 South, Toccoa

Congressman Hank Johnson, Saving The Dream A Foreclosure Prevention Event; September 28, 2013; 9 AM - 3 PM; Springfield Baptist

Church, 1877 Iris Drive, SE, Conyers

Congressman Hank Johnson, Saving The Dream A Foreclosure Prevention Event; October 5, 2013; 9 AM - 3 PM; Salem Bible Church, 5460 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia;

Paychecks for Patriots, October 17, 2013 at the following locations, time will vary per location:

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.

Atlanta, Chattahoochee Tech, Acworth Campus 5198 Ross Road, Acworth;
Savannah Tech, 5717 White Bluff Road, Eckburg Auditorium, Savannah; U S Army Reserve, Building 14401, 15th Street & Lane Avenue,
Fort Gordon; Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Cunningham Conference Center, Columbus
Central Georgia Tech, 80 Cohen Walker Drive, G-Building, Room 120, Warner Robins;
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING August Financial Awards
Region Three
Development Authority of DeKalb County
$100,000 in REBA (Regional Economic Business Assistance) funds Generates $22 million in private investment Creates 33 jobs Assists in the location of a manufacturing facility

As of August 31, HomeSafe Georgia has assisted over 4,000 individuals and families, committing over $83 million in U.S. Treasury funding to help keep homeowners from foreclosure.

Region Nine
Evans County Industrial Development Authority
$200,000 in Equity funds Generates $10,000 in public (non-DCA) investment Generates $6.5 million in private investment Creates 99 jobs will provide water and sewer improvements to assist in the location
of Spanish Oaks of Bellville, LLC, A Senior Living Community.
Region Eleven
Brantley County
$500,000 in EIP (Employment Incentive Program) funding Generates $82,000 in public (non-DCA) investment Generates $50 million in private investment Creates 90 jobs Assists in the location of a zircon mining facility on a 3,500 acre site
in north Brantley and south Charlton counties. Will provide

necessary road improvements to provide access to the mining site.
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