Key Agencies

Georgia Agencies

Since its creation in 1977, DCA has been an advocate for Georgia’s local governments, helping communities throughout the state spur private job creation, implement comprehensive plans, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions and promote volunteerism. DCA operates 65 programs, manages nearly $300 million in state and federal funding each year, and maintains regional representatives in each of Georgia’s 12 Service Delivery Regions.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) offers a wide variety of low-interest financing for drinking water, reservoir and water supply, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste infrastructure, as well as energy and land conservation. Additional GEFA resources include specialized technical assistance through programs such as the Water Loss Technical Assistance program, which consists of water audits, water meter testing, assessment, and leak detection.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency coordinates the state’s preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to disasters as part of the Office of the Governor. GEMA/HS works with local, state, and federal governments, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to prevent and respond to natural and man-made emergencies.

The Georgia Department of Transportation seeks to deliver a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. To this end, GDOT provides travel services as well as road and traffic data, conducts road construction and maintenance projects, and operates statewide and intermodal programs, including several that assist local government agencies.

The mission of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is to provide the highest-quality investigative, scientific, and information services and resources to the criminal justice community and others as authorized by law for the purpose of maintaining law and order and protecting life and property. One of the bureau’s primary responsibilities is the maintenance of criminal identification records.

The Geospatial Information Office improves statewide access to the most current geospatial data and facilitates cross-jurisdictional coordination, decreasing data acquisition and creation costs through the realization of economies of scale. Our coordinated approach to data development also maximizes governmental efficiency through the standardization of data, which enables multi-jurisdictional interoperability – helping cities, counties, and regions work with each other and with state and federal agencies. The Geospatial Information Office plays a key role in promoting the safety and economic vibrancy of all Georgia communities, while serving the current administration’s goals to maximize taxpayer value by leveraging technology to best utilize state resources.

Federal Agencies

EDA plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. EDA supports projects that create jobs and attract private investment, especially in economically distressed areas. EDA makes funding recommendations for projects including water/ sewer infrastructure, small business incubators, and public assets that create jobs, especially in rural areas.

To achieve its mission of protecting human health and the environment, EPA addresses a wide range of issues, from acid rain to worker protection standards. Nearly half of EPA’s budget goes into grants to state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. Grant money is used for many different projects, including scientific studies and community cleanups.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is one of twelve Reserve Banks that make up the Federal Reserve System (the Fed) with three core functions: monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, and the operation of a nationwide payment system. In addition, the Atlanta Fed conducts research, educational outreach, and the Community and Economic Development (CED) program, which works to activate financial, human, and social capital to foster the conditions that facilitate economic growth in the Southeast.

BroadbandUSA is a program of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within the Department of Commerce that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. BroadbandUSA assists communities that want to expand their broadband capacity and promotes broadband adoption by providing advice and field-proven tools for assessing broadband adoption, planning new infrastructure, and engaging a wide range of partners in broadband projects.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury with the mission to ensure that national banks and federal savings associations operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. OCC’s District Community Affairs Officers support these activities by helping national banks to be leaders in providing community development financing, investments, and retail services to underserved communities and consumers.

Overseen by the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) within the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Census Bureau’s mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy. The agency is constitutionally mandated to count every resident in the country every ten years. These population counts are used for congressional reapportionment and to draw legislative districts in the states. Additionally, federal, state, county, and city governments use census information to guide the annual distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars for critical services. An inaccurate count can impact the revenue cities receive from GDOT/LMIG, LOST, and SPLOST.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs improve the quality of life for people living in small, rural communities. The agency provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to support economic development and essential services such as housing, health care, first responder services and equipment as well as water, electric and communications infrastructure. Georgia’s USDA state office is located in Athens, and the agency has six regional offices in locations around the state.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is one of 22 federal agencies, programs, and offices under the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters through timely information, resources, tools, and technical assistance. Ten regional offices and state partners support the agency in leading a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Created in 1965 as a Cabinet-level agency and authorized to enforce the 1968 Fair Housing Act, HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. The agency works to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; and build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination. Programs include mortgage insurance, development of public and multi-family housing, and community and neighborhood development.