Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

March 19, 2008

For immediate release



New Incentive Announced for

Columbus? Public Safety Employees





NeighborWorks Columbus announced a financial incentive program for Columbus

Public Safety employees today, March 19, 2008.



NeighborWorks Columbus (NWC), in partnership with CB&T, teamed up to create the

NeighborWorks Public Safety IDA (Individual Development Account) Program. This

program is a matching incentive that allows public safety employees ? who are

first time home buyers ? to receive a 3-to-1 match on their savings. The

NeighborWorks Public Safety IDA matches the savings with $3 for every $1 the

employee saves (up to a maximum match of $1,500). This money can be used

towards a down payment or closing costs. Program Director Melanie Faison said

the NeighborWorks Public Safety IDA will ?prove to be a great financial

incentive for the dedicated men and women who serve in Columbus? Public Safety

departments.?



CB&T is the corporate partner in this program, providing the funding for the

matching grants. Mayor Jim Wetherington thanked the banking system for their

generosity, ?We are tremendously grateful for NeighborWorks Columbus for

setting up this program and even more so to CB&T for their generosity in

funding it. CB&T is a superb example of the wonderful corporate support we

receive in this community.?



The response from Public Safety officials was enthusiastic with many of the

department heads agreeing that it will serve as a great incentive and

recruiting tool for the five departments of Public Safety (Police, Fire/EMS,

Sheriff, Marshall and Muscogee Prisons.)



A series of Lunch and Learns will be presented at all the Public Safety

Department locations to inform employees about the program.



# # #





For more information about the NeighborWorks Public Safety IDA, please call

Program Director Melanie Faison at 706-324-HOME (4663).





For media information, please call Marquette McKnight at 706-660-9702(o) or

706-570-3705(c).



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