Comprehensive Planning
In 1989, the state mandated that each local government prepare a comprehensive plan. As with the performance standards, failure to complete the plan would disqualify local governments from certain state grants, including Community Development Block Grants. The SWGRC planning staff assists in updating our local government's comprehensive plans to ensure compliance with the state and compatibility with local goals and objectives. The implementation portion of these plans, the Community Work Program, must be updated every five years. The entire plan must be updated every ten years. Each community's comprehensive plan must include community goals, needs, opportunities, and a community work program.
HOW COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM THE PLANNING PROCESS
Quality of life is maintained and improved
Shared vision for community
Private property rights are protected
Economic development is encouraged and supported
Increased certainty about development
Comprehensive Plan Incentives
To encourage local governments’ engagement in comprehensive planning, Georgia incentivizes it by allowing cities and counties with DCA-approved comprehensive plans access to a special package of financial resources to aid in implementing their plans. This includes Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), water and sewer loans from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), economic development funding from the OneGeorgia Authority, and a variety of other programs from DCA and partner agencies. Eligibility for this package of incentives is called Qualified Local Government (QLG) status
Community Work Program
The SWGRC also assists communities in implementing projects listed explicitly in their community work program.
The SWGRC helps the community provide evidence of its commitment to the project and that the project will help to achieve one or more of its performance standards. The Regional Commission also offers technical assistance to local governments to develop various plans and ordinances, identifies projects and funding sources, develops grant applications, and administers local projects in order to achieve the goals set in their comprehensive plans.
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DCA Resources Local Government Resources Additional Resources
Plan Implementation Meeting Checklist Community Development Tools Rural Partners Network
Performance Standards Check List Digital Directory Age - Friendly
Rules Of DCA - COMP Planning SWGA Resource Guide Complete Streets
DCA Guide to Services American Rescue Plan Act Printable Brochures
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