The partner connection, 2014 June

June 2014
Save the Date: March 30-April 2, 2015 National Main Street Conference
in Atlanta

NEWS AND EVENTS
Milledgeville Honored with Great America Main Street Award

Billy Peppers, Director of the Office of Downtown Development, at the 2014 conference, extending
an invitation to Atlanta in 2015.
We're proud to announce that Georgia Main Street will host the National Main Street Conference for the first time in the program's history in 2015. We look forward to showcasing Atlanta and all of our Georgia downtowns next year when Main Street programs from across the United States come to visit!
Georgia Trend highlights two DCA programs

Photo credit: Donna Collins for Milledgeville Main Street
At the 2014 National Main Street conference in Detroit, Georgia's own Milledgeville took home the top prize from the National Main Street Center: The Great American Main Street Award. Milledgeville joins only two other Georgia cities to achieve this prestigious honor: Thomasville and Rome.
Since Milledgeville joined Georgia's Main Street program in 1988, the city has seen the creation of 306 net new jobs, 63 net new businesses and 55 building rehabilitations in its downtown. During that same time, the downtown program has helped $66 million dollars of private and public investments spur the growth and development of the Main Street's commercial historic district. For every $1 of public funds invested, the community has seen $74.88 of private funds leveraged; highlighting again that strategic, thoughtful use of public funds is a powerful tool in community development.
"With this honor Milledgeville joins the ranks with some of our

state and country's most prestigious downtown development programs," said Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. "The Milledgeville Main Street Program was recognized last year at the annual Georgia Downtown Conference as the 2013 Downtown Development Program of the Year. This community has shown exceptional leadership in the field of downtown development and we are proud that Milledgeville showcases our Georgia downtowns at their best."
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Recently, Georgia Trend featured two disparate community development functions at the Department of Community Affairs. First, in its June issue, the magazine included Turning On The Tap, about the WaterFirst program, and a history of Georgia's water policy in the 20th century.
Second, in its May issue and its 2014-2015 Small Business Guide, it included Easing the $$ Crunch, an article about the assistance the State Small Business Credit Initiative is offering around the state.

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 one of these events, at which DCA staff will partner with Department of Labor and other agencies to provide information and answer questions:
June 19: Veterans Helping Veterans Job Fair; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville
June 24: Veterans' Career Fair and Diversity Job Expo; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah
June 26: Eighth Annual Career Expo; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.; Georgia Regents University, Christenberry Field House, 3109 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta
July 19: Back to School Health Fair; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; WalMart, 6149 Old National Highway, College Park
July 23: Veterans Education, Benefits and Employment Fair; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Wiregrass Technical College Brooks Hall Building 500, 4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta
For more information: www.homesafegeorgia.com
Follow HomeSafe Georgia on Twitter: #HomeSafeGeorgia
Georgia Initiative for Community Housing Now Accepting Applications

The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) is now accepting applications for participation in the threeyear program. Applications are available on the GICH website and are due by September 5. Interested

From Rabun Gap to Bainbridge, and Waycross to Blue Ridge, agriculture is part of every life in Georgia. While all Georgians do not live on farms, agriculture affects each and every citizen of the state. It is a $70 billion industry providing Georgians with more than 380,000 jobs.
The Department of Community Affairs joins our partners at the Department of Agriculture in encouraging every Georgia community and family to support Georgia Grown produce and products. See the Georgia Grown webpage for ideas to grow our economy by supporting our local farmers.

communities are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on July 10 and submit a letter of intent by July 31.
Vibrant neighborhoods with safe, decent and affordable housing are essential to any community's economic vitality. Since 2004, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, a partnership of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the University of Georgia Housing and Demographics Research Center, has been helping communities across Georgia address housing and community development needs. Many local leaders have a vision for their communities but need assistance getting started. GICH helps communities develop a clear road map for achieving their vision.

PlanFirst Update
In February, the Department announced its new PlanFirst program, operated by the Office of Planning and Environmental Management. Thirty local governments, representing a variety of community sizes and locations in Georgia, have completed applications that are now under review. We look forward to announcing our first PlanFirst partners in September.

This program provides a platform for thinking of creative solutions and networking ideas with housing professionals, city officials and staff, as well as community volunteers from across the state.
For questions, or to RSVP for the webinar, contact Karen Tinsley at 706-542-4949 or klt@uga.edu.
Georgia Downtown Association Conference: August 20-22 in Decatur
Register now for the 2014 Georgia Downtown Conference, co-sponsored by the Georgia Downtown Association and the Department of Community Affairs. This educational and inspirational opportunity is appropriate for staff, elected officials, DDA members, volunteers and anyone else interested in downtown development and offers the added bonus of two days in downtown Decatur.

Early Bird Registration ends July 1. Registration Deadline: August 8. For more conference and hotel information, and to register, see the conference webpage.

4.50%
Georgia Dream First Mortgage FHA/VA/RD/Conventional Uninsured
with a Georgia Dream Down Payment Loan
The Georgia Dream website provides complete information.

Georgia Academy for Economic
Development Registration
The Georgia Academy for Economic Development provides participants with an understanding of the complexities of economic and community development, and tools to assist in the development of their region. The program, through a variety of defined activities, takes an in-depth review of possible economic development opportunities and strategies. The multi-day program combines lecture, exercises, guest expert presentations, and other formats to keep the program interesting and interactive.

Registration for fall 2014 is underway. Contact the DCA representative in your region for more information and to register.

Follow Us on Social Media!
DCA on Twitter HomeSafe Georgia on Twitter Georgia Main Street on Facebook

Region Location Start Date

DCA Contact

2 Clarkesville August kathy.papa@dca.ga.gov 14

3 Metro Atlanta

August leamon.scott@dca.ga.gov 28

4 Newnan

August leamon.scott@dca.ga.gov 27

7 Wrens

August tina.hutcheson@dca.ga.gov 13

10 Albany

August jo.childers@dca.ga.gov 26

12 Richmond August tina.hutcheson@dca.ga.gov

Hill

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Previous issues of The Partner Connection

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING May Financial Awards
Region One
Development Authority of Murray County
$450,000 in OneGeorgia EDGE funds Will spur an additional $60 million in private
investment Will create 200 jobs Assists in the location of Mattex USA Manufacturing,
LLC, a carpet-backing manufacturing facility
Region Two
Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority
$800,000 in OneGeorgia EDGE funds Will spur an additional $81 million in private
investment Will retain 167 jobs Will create 481 jobs Assists in the expansion of a bakery and distribution
center for King's Hawaiian Bakery Southeast in Oakwood
Region Three
Development Authority of the City of Douglasville
$200,000 in Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) funds
Will spur an additional $33 million in private investment
Will create 225 jobs Assists in the location of a distribution center for

Gordon Food Service
Development Authority of Fulton County
$1,000,000 in REBA funds Will spur an additional $8.5 million in private
investment Will create 400 jobs Will retain 1,297 jobs Assists in the expansion of Earnst and Young U.S.
(EY) corporate operations in Atlanta to launch a "Workforce of the Future" initiative and the location of its consolidated global IT hub in Alpharetta
Region Four
Carrollton Payroll Development Authority
$200,000 in REBA funds Will spur an additional $41 million in private
investment Will create 175 jobs Assists with the location of a food processing facility
for Trident Seafoods Corporation
Region Eleven
Pierce County
$367,012 in Employment Incentive Program (EIP) funds
Will spur an additional $35.4 million in private investment
Will spur an additional $492,000 in public (non-DCA) investment
Will create 35 jobs Will assist in the construction of public rail spur
improvements to serve Southern Ionics, Inc.'s new mineral sands processing facility
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