Fourteen communities in Georgia have received the PlanFirst designation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for the 2026-2028 program cycle. The recognized communities are Brookhaven, Brunswick, Bryan County, Cedartown, Cochran, Covington, Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville, Oconee County, Sugar Hill, and Woodstock.
Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, and Gwinnett County have now achieved PlanFirst status for a fourth time. The PlanFirst designation acknowledges local governments that demonstrate effective community engagement and success in implementing their Local Comprehensive Plans.
To qualify for this recognition, communities must maintain Qualified Local Government status. They also need an approved Service Delivery Strategy and must submit all required reports to DCA on time. These include Government Management Indicators and the Report of Local Government Finances. Additionally, communities must meet regional Minimum Performance Standards set by their regional commission.
The application process requires addressing four main criteria: goals, leadership, community engagement, and implementation. Once awarded on January 1, 2026, the designation lasts three years.
Communities with PlanFirst status receive several incentives such as bonus points on Housing Tax Credit applications and reduced interest loans. They also gain annual eligibility for Community Development Block Grants and additional bonus points when applying to other DCA programs like the Redevelopment Fund or Downtown Revolving Loan Fund.
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