October 2014 DCA staff featured in Georgia Trend's 40 Under 40 DCA's newest 40 Under 40 honorees, Christy Barnes (L) and Sarah Visser (R) are congratulated by COO Phil Smith. Christy Barnes, Legal Consultant to the Rental Assistance Division and Sarah Visser, Executive Director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, were highlighted in the October issue of Georgia Trend magazine as two of Georgia's "best NEWS AND EVENTS Ten Communities Join PlanFirst In September, DCA selected ten local governments to participate in PlanFirst, a program recognizing excellence in community planning. Athens-Clarke County, Coweta County, Johnson County, Jones County and the cities of Braselton, Gainesville, Madison, Suwanee, Vienna and Woodstock have each achieved the designation, which acknowledges communities that have proven track records of implementing their plans and histories of good plan development. "Good planning by local communities is the hallmark of economic growth," said Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. "These are communities that can serve as statewide models for others in how to actively and strategically implement a vision for the future." The PlanFirst program received 30 applications in its inaugural year. Eligible communities were required to address four primary program criteria: goals, leadership, community participation, and implementation. The designation will last for three years, beginning Jan. 1, 2015, and enables these communities to take advantage of incentives that include public visibility, eligibility for funding, and certain reduced interest loans. Communities will receive awards at the Capitol on Jan. 28, 2015, when DCA will celebrate Georgia's new PlanFirst designation in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Georgia Planning Act. DCA developed the program with a steering committee comprised of partners including the Georgia Municipal Association, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the Georgia Planning Association, the Regional Commissions, and the University of Georgia Archways program; and other state agencies including the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, and the Historic Preservation and Environmental Protection Divisions of the Department of Natural Resources. The next deadline for applications is May 15, 2015. More information about the program is available on the PlanFirst webpage. Northwest Georgia joins the Manufacturing Communities Partnership and brightest." "I am thrilled that Georgia Trend has again spotlighted two of the many great talents at DCA. I'm proud of Christy and Sarah for their accomplishments and contributions, both statewide with DCA and in their own communities. Congratulations to Christy and Sarah on this welldeserved acknowledgement," said Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration has designated the Northwest Georgia Region as one of twelve "Manufacturing Communities" in the United States. The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) is designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing nationwide by supporting long-term economic development strategies to help communities attract and expand the manufacturing sector and increase international trade and exports. Georgia Tech and the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission will develop the Northwest Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, a multiyear strategic plan to develop the floor-covering industry and provide the labor force necessary to support the advanced manufacturing ecosystem. More details are available on the Northwest Georgia RC website. The Commons at Imperial Hotel wins national award UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Photo credit: Creative Sources. Photo provided with permission from Columbia Residential and National Church Residences. Funded in part with Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the Commons at Imperial Hotel now provides housing options and supportive services to Atlanta citizens. Restoration of the 1910 building provided a boost to the surrounding neighborhood, and preserved one of Atlanta's most well-known architectural landmarks, helping the city meet its redevelopment goal for the area. Homeowners who became unemployed or underemployed within the last 36 months may be eligible for up to 24 months of temporary mortgage payment assistance; and homeowners who have experienced other financial hardships within the last 36 months, including those associated with military service, death of a spouse, or medical hardships, may be eligible for HomeSafe Georgia assistance. We encourage potentially eligible homeowners to attend an event at which DCA staff will provide information and answer questions: October 21: Wilcox County Job Fair, Joy Theater, Abbeville; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. October 21: Job Fair 2014, Midway Church gymnasium, Villa Rica; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. October 25: Come In To Connect! Middle Georgia Community Event, Buck Melton Community Center, Macon; 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. November 6: Gainesville Career Center, Gainesville; 9:00 a.m. - noon November 6: Total Employment for American Military, Wiregrass Technical College, Valdosta; 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. November 15: Health Fair, Lovejoy Community Center, Lovejoy; 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information: www.homesafegeorgia.com Follow HomeSafe Georgia on Twitter: #HomeSafeGeorgia Preservation Through Energy Efficiency: Oct. 28 at Georgia Tech Global Learning Center In September, the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association recognized the team of developers, architects and historic consultants that oversaw the building restoration with its highest award: the J. Timmy Anderson Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. Dubbed "the Timmys," these awards honor outstanding real estate projects that involve rehabilitation of older, historic buildings primarily using Federal or State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits. Nominated projects are judged for overall design and quality, interpretation and respect of historic elements, innovative approach to construction and use of building materials, community impact, sustainability and financial and market success. The awards are selected annually by a multidisciplinary panel of judges that includes developers, transactional consultants, as an architect and a preservation advocate. This year, judges selected winners and finalists from a total of 40 applications hailing from 23 states and the District of Columbia, the widest geographic representation in the history of the Timmy Awards competition. Supported by DCA and a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation, the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association will host the Atlanta Roadshow: Preservation Through Energy Efficiency on October 28 at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center. The one-day event will highlight opportunities for implementing energy, water, and utility improvements in multifamily affordable housing. The program is designed to empower affordable housing owners with the knowledge needed to direct development, asset management, and property management teams on actionable steps. See the Preservation Through Energy Efficiency page for more information and to register. Georgia Sustainable Communities Alliance: Emerging Trends in Economic Development Conference: Oct. 29 in Macon The Georgia Sustainable Communities Alliance (GCSA) will host its inaugural conference at the Macon Marriott City Center Hotel Oct. 29, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. DCA's Deputy Commissioner for Community Development and Finance, Brian Williamson, will provide the keynote address. The conference will provide an opportunity for government officials, economic developers, entrepreneurs and bankers to learn more about using Georgia's economic development tools to build sustainable communities. The mission of the GCSA is "to build an alliance of professionals with various skill sets under one organization with the goal to build green sustainable communities throughout the state." See the GCSA website for more information and to register. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING September Financial Awards 4.00% Georgia Dream First Mortgage FHA/VA/RD/Conventional Uninsured with a Georgia Dream Down Payment Loan The Georgia Dream website provides complete information. Region Two City of Oakwood $300,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission funds administered through the Employment Incentive Program (EIP) Creates 130 jobs Spurs an additional $2.5 million in private investment Spurs an additional $1.3 million in public (non-DCA) investment The city will use the funds for road construction to assist the King's Hawaiian Bakery facility expansion Region Four City of Griffin Follow Us on Social Media $500,000 in EIP funds Creates 50 jobs Spurs an additional $13.4 million in private investment Spurs an additional $49,900 in public (non-DCA) investment The city will use the funds to expand the public sewer system to benefit the 1888 Mills facility expansion DCA on Twitter Region Five Development Authority of Morgan County HomeSafe Georgia on Twitter Georgia Main Street on Facebook $300,000 in EDGE funds Creates 219 jobs Retains 138 jobs Spurs an additional $50 million in private investment Spurs an additional $290,000 in public (non-DCA) investment The funds assist in the expansion of Amtico USA, a flooring manufacturing facility Previous issues of The Partner Connection Georgia Department of Community Affairs | 60 Executive Park S., NE | Atlanta | GA | 30329