Department of Community Affairs News
September 2, 2005
SPECIAL Hurricane Katrina UPDATE
Hurricane Katrina created desperate conditions in many areas of our nation?s
Gulf Coast.? Under the leadership of Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia?s agencies
are working together, with federal authorities and other state agencies to
provide assistance.?
DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty and Terry Ball are leading DCA?s efforts as
representatives on a statewide planning and response task force.? Governor
Perdue has asked DCA to play a critical role in developing strategies and
implementing measures for providing housing for those displaced.?
In the short term, displaced persons should be directed to FEMA?s emergency
hotline at (800) 621-FEMA.? This will insure that the individual is registered
to receive federal relief assistance and directed to the nearest emergency
shelter.?
The information below outlines Georgia?s Coordinated Response to Hurricane
Katrina as of today, 9/2/05.? Please visit www.gema.state.ga.us for ongoing
updates.
* * * * *
Governor Sonny Perdue has mobilized the Georgia National Guard and several
state agencies, led by Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency Management
Agency, to help provide disaster relief assistance to the states of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama and the evacuees from those states. The Governor has
taken steps to ensure gas supply to all Georgians and to prohibit price gouging
on motor fuel. He has asked President Bush for federal assistance to help with
incoming evacuees. In response to the tornadoes that impacted Peach and
Carroll County, the Governor has asked for and SBA disaster declaration that
will provide for small business loans to those affected.
Five Executive Orders Signed
? Gov. Perdue signed an executive order calling for a temporary
moratorium on state collection of all motor fuel taxes (September 2, 2005)
? Gov. Perdue signed an executive order calling up members of the
Georgia National Guard to assist with disaster relief efforts (September 1,
2005)
? Gov. Perdue signed an executive order calling on state agencies to
develop plans and identify resources for assisting states affected by Hurricane
Katrina (August 31, 2005)
? Gov. Perdue signed an executive order to prevent price gouging on
motor fuel (August 31, 2005)
? Gov. Perdue signed an executive order lifting weight restrictions on
trucks coming into the state of Georgia from Florida (August 26, 2005).
Actions Taken Regarding Georgia?s Gas Supply
? Gov. Perdue, in addition to signing an executive order calling for a
moratorium on the collection of motor fuel taxes, has called a special session
of the General Assembly to make
? The Governor has declared an energy emergency in Georgia to control
price gouging on gas.
? Gov. Perdue requested federal Department of Transportation (DOT) to
lift restrictions and allow trucks to travel 24 hours a day, delivering more
fuel to Georgia gas stations.
? Gov. Perdue waived gasoline regulations that require special additive
gasoline in the summer months. Waiving this requirement will allow gasoline
suppliers to bring available gasoline into Georgia to help alleviate shortages
and keep prices to a minimum
? Governor Perdue has approved the use of off-road diesel fuel as a
substitute for diesel fuel.
? The Governor is encouraging Georgia business owners to conserve
gasoline by taking advantage of telework and flexible work schedule options for
employees.
Assistance Provided to Hurricane Evacuees and Impacted States (AL, LA and MS)
In coordination with the American Red Cross and local governments, Georgia has
opened shelters in TEN LOCATIONS around the state for Hurricane Katrina
evacuees.
Shelter locations are as follows: (1) ALBANY, Dougherty County - Henderson Gym
and Church of Christ,? (2) ATLANTA, Fulton County - Adamsville Recreation
Center, (3) AUGUSTA, Richmond County - Warren Baptist Church (4) COLUMBUS,
Muscogee County - Benning Supercenter, (5) COVINGTON, Newton County - Georgia
FFA Center,? (6) FORT VALLEY, Peach County - Camp John Hope, (7) LAGRANGE,
Troup County - First Baptist Church on the Square, (8) MACON, Bibb County -
Salvation Army Shelter, (9) NEWNAN, Coweta County - Central Baptist Church and
(10)? VALDOSTA, Lowndes County - Central Avenue Church of Christ.
The following assistance is also being provided:? ?
? A State Operations Center (SOC) is active and staffed with
representatives from the Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency
Management Agency (OHS-GEMA), Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Division of Public
Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, and Georgia Department of
Defense. Federal representatives to the SOC have included FEMA and First Army.
? OHS-GEMA is assisting on location and in the SOC with evacuation of
patients from New Orleans area hospitals. OHS-GEMA continues to assist with
the coordination of receipt of displaced individuals.
? The Georgia Army and Air National Guard will be providing an estimated
1500 soldiers and airmen for relief operations. Relief missions will include
security, engineering, medical, airlift and support operations. The first
Georgia National Guard assets sent to the affected area left on Wednesday
(8/31) when three CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters left for Louisiana and
Mississippi. Additionally, Georgia Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk
helicopters and UH-1 Huey helicopters are also currently positioned in the
affected areas. The first Georgia units are expected to be in place on Saturday.
? An Emergency Operations Center coordinated by the Department of Human
Resources (DHR) is open and operating in Cobb County.
? The Georgia Forestry Commission currently has 18 personnel deployed
throughout Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas to assist with
clean-up and debris removal.
? The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is sending 20 agents to assist the
Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Georgia?s Response to Incoming Evacuees
? On 9/1/05, the White House asked the state of Georgia to accept
evacuees. Gov. Perdue has committed that Georgia will do everything it can to
assist.
? Flights are coming into Dobbins Air Force Base with evacuees every
couple of hours. We expect this to continue.
? GEMA, together with the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Georgia state
agencies and leaders of our faith-based community are coordinating efforts to
assist in supporting shelters across the state.
? We expect that many of these evacuees will soon call Georgia home.
Following emergency assistance, our state agencies, led by GEMA, are organizing
an effort to help refugees quickly transition from shelters to life in our
communities. This includes enrolling children in our schools, providing access
to ongoing health care, connection to long-term housing opportunities, job
placement and other needs.
Disaster Relief for Georgia Counties with Tornado Damage
In addition to providing disaster relief to neighboring states, teams of
Georgia state agencies are also responding to tornado damage in Peach, Carroll
and White Counties. Governor Perdue toured damage in Peach and Carroll
Counties on Tuesday. Teams coordinated through GEMA consisting of the Georgia
Department of Transportation (GDOT), Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia State
Patrol and State Board of Pardons and Paroles responded as early as Monday
night to provide assistance to tornado victims.
* * * * *
Executive News
Aaron McWhorter Appointed to DCA Board.? Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Aaron
C. McWhorter as the Eighth Congressional District Representative to the DCA
Board.? He replaced Howard Pendleton, whose term expired July 1, 2005.? Aaron
S. McWhorter is the owner and president of North Georgia Turf, Inc. and Sports
Turf Company, Inc. He has completed several major projects over the last ten
years, including projects for Auburn University?s Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
University?s baseball field, Troy State University?s football stadium and
Jacksonville State University?s NCAA Division I women?s soccer field. He is the
past president of the Georgia Turfgrass Association and sits on the board of
directors of the American Sports Builders Association. He earned a bachelor?s
degree in history and a master?s degree in education from the University of
West Georgia. He has two adult children and resides in Whitesburg, GA.
Roy Campbell Appointed Georgia Rural Development Council Vice Chairman.?
Governor Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Roy Campbell as Vice
Chairman of the Georgia Rural Development Council (GRDC). The appointment was
announced at the August 16th GRDC meeting in Armuchee, Georgia.? Mr. Campbell
replaces Monticello Mayor Susan Holmes, who served for two years.
Leonard Roy Campbell, Jr. is President of Roy Campbell Chevrolet. He earned a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama. He is the former
Mayor of Thomasville, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georgia
Automobile Dealers, past President of the Macon Kiwanis Club, and past
President of the Suwannee River Area Council Boy Scouts of America. Campbell
currently serves on the Thomasville City Council. Campbell is also a member of
the National Automobile Dealer Association and the Georgia Municipal
Association. Campbell resides in Thomasville with his wife, Dorothy. They have
three children and three grandchildren.
56 Signature Community Program Applications Received.? September 1st marked
DCA?s deadline to receive applications for the inaugural Signature Community
Program class. ?As of this date, 56 Georgia communities submitted qualified
applications.? ?Applications were received from all of DCA?s 12 State Service
Delivery Regions.
Signature Community Program participants will be announced on November 2,
2005.? Program activities begin in January 2006.
Holiday Observance.? All state offices will be closed on Monday, September 5,
2005 in observance of Labor Day.? Offices will re-open on Tuesday, September 6,
2005.
Environmental News
Comprehensive Solid Waste Study Unveiled At Statewide Conference.? Randy
Hartmann, DCA?s Director ? Environmental Management recently presented findings
of the Georgia Waste Characterization Study at the Georgia Recycling
Coalition?s annual meeting. ?Study findings were also widely reported in
numerous newspapers throughout Georgia and several national publications,
including Waste News and Recycling Today.
DCA worked with recognized solid waste consultant R. W. Beck to complete the
study, which was funded with proceeds from the state?s Solid Waste Trust Fund.
The study focused on waste disposed at Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills.
MSW landfills primarily accept waste from households and commercial businesses.
The comprehensive study revealed several facts about Georgia?s municipal solid
waste practices:
Food waste comprises the largest portion of the state?s municipal solid waste.
In 2004, Georgians disposed of approximately 800,000 tons of food waste, which
accounted for 12% of the MSW disposed in the state.
Based on 2004 data, six categories of other items accounted for the next
largest percentages of the Georgia?s municipal solid waste:
- # 2 - Corrugated cardboard (733,866 tons/ 11% of total tons)
- # 3 ? Non-recyclable paper (699,178 tons/ 10.5% of total tons)
- # 4 - Film plastic (497,525 tons/ 7.4% of total tons)
- # 5 - Newspaper (322,001 tons/ 4.8% of total tons)
- # 6 - Miscellaneous rigid plastics (291,886 tons/ 4.4% of total tons)
- # 7 - Textiles (267,119 tons/ 4% of total tons)
Combined, the top seven categories (including food waste) accounted for more
than 54% of MSW disposed in the state.
Nearly 2.6 million tons - approximately 40% - of MSW Georgia residents throw
away each year are common, recyclable materials with existing reuse markets
inside the state.
In 2004, Georgian residents and businesses spent an estimated $90 million to
dispose these items. Based on current recycling market values, if these items
were recycled, the resulting raw materials would be worth more $250 million.
In 2004, more than 25% of paper products ? approximately 1.9 million tons ?
that entered the state?s MSW landfills could be recycled and reused by
companies operating in Georgia.
Nine of Georgia?s 15 paper mills rely totally on recycled paper for their
production. One out of every three polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers
-- primarily beverage containers - collected for recycling in the U.S. goes to
North Georgia?s carpet mills for reuse. Paper and carpet mill executives have
confirmed a strong preference to purchase these materials locally, instead of
incurring higher costs to ship these items from regions throughout North
America.
Copies of the Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Study may be downloaded
from DCA?s website by visiting the Environmental Management section of the
site.? The study is listed under Publications.? For more information regarding
the study, please contact Joe Dunlop at jdunlop@dca.state.ga.us or (404)
679-1598.
Grant Awards
Georgia Awarded More Than $40 Million In HUD (CDBG & CHIP) Grants.? Governor
Sonny Perdue announced that Georgia has been awarded more than $40 million in
federal grants from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
for Georgia?s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Community
HOME Investment Program (CHIP).?
More than $37.3 million was allocated for CDBG grant projects to be used to
support projects in 77 Georgia communities.?? Governor Perdue also announced
that Georgia was awarded nearly $3 million in Community HOME Investment Program
(CHIP) funds.? CHIP funds will assist 10 Georgia communities increase the
supply of safe and affordable housing for low and moderate-income persons.
A complete listing of the awards is available at
www.dca.state.ga.us/communities/cdbg/programs/cdbgchip.asp. ?For additional
information regarding the CDBG and CHIP programs, please visit the DCA website
or contact Steed Robinson at srobinso@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-3168.
DCA Redevelopment Fund Assists Cairo?s Transformation Efforts.? DCA
Commissioner Mike Beatty announced the award of a $500,000 loan to The City of
Cairo to support the purchase and renovation of the former Roddenberry Company
processing plant.?
The City of Cairo will loan DCA Redevelopment Fund proceeds to the Grady County
Joint Development Authority (Grady JDA) to complete property acquisition,
demolition and renovation of the former manufacturing plant. Other project
funding sources include OneGeorgia Authority and Grady Joint Development
Authority.? For information about DCA?s Redevelopment Fund program, please
contact Stefanie Dye at sdye@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-1738.?
DCA Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund Supports Redevelopment Efforts in
LaGrange.? DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty announced the award of a $100,000 loan
to The City of LaGrange and the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority to
support the renovation of a former residence in the historic downtown area.
DCA?s Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DD Revolving Loan Fund) loan
and a matching Georgia Cities Foundation loan will support renovation of the
century-old home located on North Lewis Street. Built in 1902 by John King, the
son of a former slave and a renowned covered bridge builder, the three-story
home has also been used as a parsonage for LaGrange First Presbyterian Church
and more recently as home to various retail operations. The home is located
within LaGrange?s Downtown Garden District, a former residential area that is
now largely commercial.
Local business owners Dave and Patti Murray are leading renovation efforts.
Following its renovation, the historic residential building will provide
permanent office space for the Murrays? businesses on the lower level and
residential living space on the upper level.?? For more information about DCA?s
Employment Incentive Program, please contact Jonathan Corso at
jcorso@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 327-7909.
DCA Employment Incentive Program Supports Local Job Creation Efforts in
Sylvester. ?DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty announced the award of a $232,964
Employment Incentive Program (EIP) grant to the City of Sylvester.
Sylvester officials will loan grant proceeds to the Southland Technologies. DCA
funds will be leveraged with a $1.1 million private investment from the company
to cover construction and administrative costs for a new 12,000 square foot
office building. The new building will allow Southland Technologies to
consolidate its three Sylvester, GA offices into a single location. Company
officials project that its consolidated operation will create 30 new full-time
positions for low- and moderate-income citizens.? For more information about
DCA?s Employment Incentive Program, please contact Jonathan Corso at
jcorso@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 327-7909.?
Housing News
DCA's Qualified Allocation Plan Earns Top Ranking In Global Green?s National
Study.? DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty applauded advance study results to be
released in September 2005 by Global Green USA that ranks DCA among the
nation?s leaders in promoting sustainable development by ranking its Qualified
Allocation Plan (QAP) as one of the ?greenest? in the nation.???
Entitled Greening The Low Income Housing Tax Credit: An Analysis of Green
Building Attributes of State Affordable Housing Tax Credit Allocation Policies,
the Global Green USA study confirms Georgia?s tie for first place ranking with
California.? Other states listed among the study?s ?top five? were by Arizona,
Maryland and Texas.
Georgia?s QAP outlines preferences for allocating funds to affordable housing
developers, with rewards for building to ENERGY STAR? standards and
incorporating indoor air quality measures such as proper ventilation. The QAP
also requires the use of ENERGY STAR? appliances and the use of paints and
finishes with low amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC?s).
Global Green USA works with governments, industry and individuals to create a
global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. For more information
about Global Green USA, please visit www.globalgreen.org. ??For more
information about DCA?s QAP plan, please contact Rosemary Kernahan at
rkernahan@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-0596.
Planning & Quality Growth News
Local Development Fund Program Reactivated.? During the 2005 legislative
session, $1.5 million was appropriated for the Local Development Fund (LDF)
program in the state budget.? The reactivation of the LDF program means that
local governments can apply for grant money which, when combined with local
funds, can be used to complete projects that are consistent with a city or
county?s formally established planning goals.?
Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the program are provided below:
What is the purpose of the Local Development Fund program?? The Local
Development Fund is designed to provide limited state assistance for local
community development or improvement projects that evolve from the local
planning process. The LDF provides a flexible funding source that can be used
to meet unique local needs without duplicating other grant and loan programs.
?The LDF is often the ?last piece of the puzzle? that enables a community to
complete a project which is included in a local plan, but which ? due to
limited local funds - might not otherwise be feasible without additional
financial assistance.
Who administers the LDF? How much money is included for LDF in 2005-2006?? DCA
is the agency that administers the Local Development Fund. DCA mailed an
announcement describing details of the program to local government officials in
late August. Program guidelines and application materials are also available
on the DCA website. ?The total amount included for the LDF program in FY
2005-2006 is $1.5 million.
Who is eligible to apply for LDF funds?? Eligible applicants include all
municipalities, counties, and consolidated governments in Georgia. Joint
applications submitted by partnerships of municipal, county, and consolidated
governments are also acceptable. In order to receive an LDF grant, an
applicant must be a Qualified Local Government as outlined in the Georgia
Planning Act of 1989. Applicants must also be in compliance with the
requirements of the Local Government Financial Management Act and with the
provisions of the Service Delivery Strategy Law. Applicants can only submit one
application per competition round; this includes communities that are part of a
joint application.
What types of projects are eligible for LDF funding?? To be eligible for
funding from LDF, applicants must provide documentation to show that the
proposed activities contribute to the implementation of the community?s local
comprehensive plan or solid waste management plan, if applicable. All
applicants must also certify and document that the activities proposed in the
application are consistent with their local Service Delivery Strategy.
?Specific types of projects LDF can fund include activities for downtown
development, tourism and related marketing activities, parks and recreation,
community facilities, and historically appropriate improvements to governmental
buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. General
improvements to city halls, county courthouses and public safety facilities are
not eligible. ?LDF funds cannot be used for administrative costs or anything
that would violate the gratuity clause of the State Constitution.
What are some projects that have received LDF funding in the past?? In previous
years, cities have found innovative uses for Local Development Funds. Examples
of activities that have been funded range from restoration of historic
buildings and train depots to preliminary designs for parks to brochures to
promote local tourist attractions. Municipal officials who are interested in
learning more about the types of projects that have been funded in the past, or
who want to find out if a specific activity is eligible for funding, should
contact DCA for more information.
What is the deadline to apply for LDF funds?? For FY 2005-2006, DCA
Commissioner Mike Beatty has announced that there will be two rounds of
competition. Round One applications must be received at DCA by October 3,
2005. Applications for the Round Two must be received at DCA by April 3, 2006.
Applicants must submit an original and three copies of the application and all
required supporting documentation to DCA by the deadline. Fax copies are not
accepted.
What is the maximum amount a city can apply for? What is the required local
match?? Individual (single-community) applications can be made for up to
$20,000. Joint applications cannot exceed $50,000. The program guidelines
stipulate that no more than 50% of the total project cost can be paid for by
state funds, including LDF funds. A dollar-for-dollar local cash or in-kind
match is required. Funds spent on the project prior to the date the grant is
awarded do not count as matching funds. The city must certify in the
application that it is able to make the match available at the time of the
grant award. For joint applications, each party to the application must provide
evidence that it will supply part of the local match.
Where can I find more information about how to apply for funds through the LDF
program?? More information about the Local Development Fund, including a
complete set of program guidelines, can be found at
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/financing/programs/ldf.asp. ?Please contact
Cynthia Easley, DCA Program Manager at ceasley@dca.state.ga.us or (404)
679-4789.
SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Important Events, Meetings, Conferences
Madison Prepares for 2005 Georgia Downtown Conference.? The 2005 Georgia
Downtown Conference and Annual Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Georgia
Downtown Association in partnership with DCA, is slated for October 5-7, 2005
at the Madison Market Center.?
The conference is designed to educate individuals on issues effecting downtown
development on a national and statewide level, reinforce existing downtown
development efforts, and plan for future initiatives. Through workshops and
panel discussions, the conference also serves as a conduit to promote downtown
and economic development through public awareness, governmental relations and
education.
This year?s theme, Downtown Television Network: Do-It-Yourself Successfully
seeks to provide all the needed tools to put communities on the path to
successful downtown revitalization.?? For more information, please contact Kim
Carter at kcarter@dca.state.ga.us or 404/679-0604.
The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism Continues Conference
Preparations. ?The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, in
collaboration with Hands On Georgia, The Georgia Association for Volunteer
Administration, Inc., Georgia Serves, Inc., and The Council of Volunteer
Administrators of Metropolitan Atlanta, is excited continues to make
preparations for the 2005 Georgia Conference On Service & Volunteerism.
Each year, the conference provides a setting to showcases and celebrate
Georgia?s collaborative volunteer and community service programs.? The
conference is scheduled for October 25-26, 2005 at Macon?s Centreplex.??? For
more information, please visit
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/communities/Volunteerism/index.asp or contact Kate
Webb at kwebb@dca.state.ga.us or 404/327-6860.
Hotel Motel Performance Review Board To Host October Meeting.? The Hotel Motel
Tax Performance Review Board will meet on Wednesday October 26, 2005, from
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at DCA?s Atlanta headquarters, 60 Executive Park
South, NE.? ?The purpose of this meeting will be to hear comments regarding two
Georgia cities? compliance with state laws governing the administration and
expenditure of local hotel and motel tax revenues.
For more information, please contact Patrick Vickers at
pvickers@dca.state.ga.us or (404) 679-3151.??
Affordable Housing Excellence To Be Celebrated At 2005 Magnolia Awards.?
Outstanding achievements in affordable housing will be celebrated again as DCA
hosts the 5th Annual Housing Georgia Conference and Magnolia Awards program at
the Cobb Galleria Centre on November 17, 2005.?
The Magnolia Awards recognize outstanding achievements in affordable housing.?
They are given in six categories:? Affordable Rental, Creative Partnerships,
Homeownership, Local Government Initiatives, Special Needs, and Superior
Design.? Nominations have been closed for the 2005 awards.? For more
information, visit www.magnoliaawards.org.
Reader Information
For more information on any of the topics included in this newsletter, please
visit the DCA website at www.dca.state.ga.us
.?
Look for the next edition of DCA News on October 2, 2005
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