Augusta Receives PlanFirst Designation

Augusta Receives PlanFirst Designation

AUGUSTA, GA (October 11, 2024) - The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that Augusta and five other communities have been awarded the PlanFirst designation. Augusta and the cities of Acworth, Alma, Camilla, Monroe, and Warner Robins are the newest PlanFirst communities for the 2025-2027 program cycle. These local governments along with others previously designated are recognized for their outstanding efforts in community engagement and successful implementation of their Local Comprehensive Plans.

Augusta and the other five recognized join only 11 other communities in the state to have done so. Communities are only eligible for this designation if they have Qualified Local Government status; have an approved, adopted Service Delivery Strategy; are current on all required reports to DCA, including Government Management Indicators and the Report of Local Government Finances; and have met the Minimum Performance Standards for their region as set by their regional commission.

The PlanFirst designation lasts for three years, beginning January 1, 2025, and enables these communities to take advantage of various incentives such as statewide recognition, three bonus points on Housing Tax Credits applications, reduced interest loans, annual eligibility for Community Development Block Grants, and bonus points on DCA programs, such as the Redevelopment Fund, Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP), Employee Incentive Program, and the Downtown Revolving Loan Fund.

To learn more about PlanFirst, click here.

Media interested in covering this topic may contact Leadra Collins at 706-823-4399.

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Augusta, Georgia is a multicultural community nestled along the banks of the Savannah River, located approximately 150 miles east of Atlanta. The City is the second largest in Georgia and is the home of the globally recognized Masters Tournament and the U.S. Army's Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon. Augusta's key industries include medical, military, and education. For more information, visit us at augustaga.govand follow the Augusta, Georgia on Facebookand Twitter.