Georgia Cities Foundation / Georgia Municipal Association The Georgia Cities Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association. The goal of the Foundation is to promote economically sustainable projects and build public and private partnerships in order to help ensure the longterm health and economic vitality of the Georgia's downtown areas. This will be accomplished through the infusion of capital via a revolving loan application. The Foundation welcomes applications from cities in Georgia, in conjunction with their downtown development authority, who are requesting financial assistance in their efforts to revitalize and enhance their downtown areas. Loan amounts will generally be set at no more than one-third of the cost of the total project or not to exceed $250,000 per project. At its discretion, the Foundation may decide to loan an amount less or more than the amount requested in an application. Contact: Perry Hiott, Director, (678) 686-6207 or toll-free at (888) 488-4462. Partners The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has several partners in our downtown revitalization efforts, which include, but are not limited to, the following: Association County Commissioners of Georgia Georgia Department Economic Development Georgia Department of Natural Resources / Historic Preservation Division Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Downtown Association Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Georgia Municipal Association Georgia Power Company Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation MEAG Power Company National Main Street Center National Trust for Historic Preservation The University of Georgia Business Outreach Services The University of Georgia College of Environment and Design The University of Georgia Fanning Institute U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Staff Bill Parrish, Office Director Kimberly Carter, Georgia Main Street State Coordinator. Cindy Eidson, Program Manager Training & Special Projects Carmine Fischetti, Community Design Specialist Martha Reimann, Senior Program Specialist Steve Storey, Program Manager Design Services Evan Thibeault, Designer through contract with Georgia Trust (404) 679-3115 (404) 679-0604 (404) 679-3101 (706) 425-3079 (404) 378-2307 (706) 583-2734 (706) 425-2926 billy.parrish@dca.ga.gov kim.carter@dca.ga.gov cindy.eidson@dca.ga.gov carmine.fischetti@dca.ga.gov martha.reimann@dca.ga.gov steve.storey@dca.ga.gov ethibeault@georgiatrust.org General DCA Website: www.dca.ga.gov Georgia Main Street/Better Hometown Program Website: www.mainstreetgeorgia.org Revitalizing and Invigorating Downtown www.mainstreetgeorgia.org Georgia Main Street Program Better Hometown and `Classic' Main Street Programs The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Office of Downtown Development (ODD) focuses on economic development through downtown revitalization, heritage preservation and restoring a sense of place. Begun in 1980, the Georgia Main Street Program is ODD's flagship downtown development assistance program. Main Street is a self-help community development program designed to improve a downtown's quality of life. The Georgia Main Street Program includes a small-cities program called the Better Hometown Program, which focuses on cities with a population less than 5,000 and the "Classic" Main Street Program, which focuses on cities with a population between 5,000 and 50,000 and. To date, there are approximately 99 Georgia cities involved in these programs. The Main Street & Better Hometown programs develop local vision and leadership while actively facilitating the economic development of downtown using the National Main Street Center's 4point ApproachTM: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring and Promotion. Each designated city receives technical assistance, manager/board training, regional networking sessions and resources, which assist the local community in their efforts to build a stronger local economy through revitalization of the downtown area. In partnership with the Georgia Downtown Association, ODD also sponsors the annual Georgia Downtown Conference. Contact: Kimberly Carter, Program Manager, (404) 679-0604, kim.carter@dca.ga.gov. Design Services A wide range of design assistance is available to Better Hometown and Main Street cities. Some of the services provided are faade rehabilitation drawings, historic building materials recommendations, design alternatives to modern structures, highway corridor planning, greenways, community gateways, recommendations of paint color, streetscapes, landscape plans, planting plans, park designs, signage and review of development and model ordinances. Contact: Steve Storey, Design Services Manager, (706) 583-2734, sstorey@dca.ga.gov. Training & Special Projects The Training and Special Projects section develops and delivers statewide training and workshops on downtown development skills and issues as well as provides support to Atlanta area cities with specialized, advanced training and technical assistance. Mark your calendar for these upcoming training opportunities: Main Street Institute Winter 2010 St. Marys March 17-19, 2010 Georgia Downtown Conference Fall 2010 Augusta September 29 October 1, 2010 Contact Information: Cindy Eidson, Training & Special Projects Manager, (404) 679-3101, cindy.eidson@dca.ga.gov. Urban Georgia Network/Urban Main Street The Urban Georgia Network (UGN) is designed to assist larger, urban programs by providing a forum for networking and information sharing on urban issues common to all. The Network encompasses downtown programs, authorities, business improvement districts, community improvement districts, and other organizations that develop and manage the larger, urban downtowns in Georgia. The Urban Main Street Program also encompasses urban neighborhoods with a core commercial district and `New Towns' seeking a management approach to revitalization. Contact: Cindy Eidson, Training & Special Projects Manager, (404) 679-3101, cindy.eidson@dca.ga.gov. Georgia Downtown Association The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) is a non-profit association that promotes the economic redevelopment of Georgia's traditional downtowns. Through advocacy, education and marketing, GDA works to focus the public's attention on the value of downtown. GDA is an independent association that supports both public and private sector efforts targeted at enhancing Georgia's downtowns. GDA has a number of programs that are designed to increase the opportunities for and multiply the talents of its members. Membership in the Georgia Downtown Association includes cities, downtown development authorities, businesses, professionals and others individuals interested in downtown. The Georgia Downtown Association also annually sponsors the Georgia Downtown Conference in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Contact: Alan Dickerson, GDA Liaison, (404) 686-6213, adickerson@gmanet.org, www.georgiadowntownassociation.org. Resources for Development Projects Downtown Development Resource and Program Guide This guide is designed to provide brief program descriptions, program information and contact information of DCA's resources and programs that can be utilized in downtown development programs across Georgia. Although in no way a complete list of State resources for the redevelopment of downtown areas, this guide is a starting point for local government officials, downtown development authority boards and staff, not-for-profit downtown development entities, developers interested in developing downtown projects, and other individuals or groups interested in investing in Georgia's downtown areas. A copy of the Downtown Development Resource and Program Guide can be obtained by visiting http://www.dca.ga.gov/communities/DowntownDevelopment/publications/DDRG_ 9_07.pdf. Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DD RLF) The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DD RLF), which is designed to assist nonentitlement cities and counties in implementing quality downtown development projects. Loans may be used for a variety of public or private projects that involve infrastructure improvements, real estate development or redevelopment, and, in some cases, purchase or lease of equipment. Loan limits will generally be set at no more than $200,000 per project. At its discretion, DCA may decide to loan an amount less than the amount requested in an application. Contact: Susan Brown, Economic Development Manager, (404) 327-6841, susan.brown@dca.ga.gov.