GMA Headlines
June 21, 2021
Sara Baxter
Walking in Authority Teen Council teaches Clayton County’s youth leadership, civic engagement, networking and much more.
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June 17, 2021
Saucony Run for Good Foundation
The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed to addressing childhood obesity by offering children the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of running and a healthier lifestyle.
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June 17, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The purpose of this initiative is to support local and tribal jurisdictions’ capacity to work with their ATF partners to utilize intelligence, technology, and community engagement to swiftly identify unlawfully used firearms and their sources, and effectively prosecute perpetrators engaged in violent crime.
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June 17, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program supports efforts of state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies and their partners in conducting outreach, educating practitioners and the public, enhancing victim reporting tools, and investigating and prosecuting hate crimes committed on the basis of the victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.
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June 17, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program is designated to support law enforcement–behavioral health cross-system collaboration and to improve public safety responses and outcomes for individuals with mental illness (MI) or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse (CMISA) who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
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June 11, 2021
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
The purpose of the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LHR) grant program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six years protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes, Native American Tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations.
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June 8, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Community Policing Development (CPD) funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies. The De-Escalation State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agency Grants subcategory supports state and local law enforcement agencies efforts to build and maintain their officers' de-escalation proficiency.
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June 8, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Fiscal Year 2021 Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies.
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June 8, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Fiscal Year 2021 Community Policing Development (CPD) Tolerance, Diversity, and Anti-Bias Online Training Program funds are used to develop and pilot an online tolerance, diversity, and anti-bias training and deliver in the classroom.
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CitySmart by VC3
June 7, 2021
Kevin Howarth, Marketing and Communications Manager, VC3
We know videoconferencing exhausted us in weird ways. But why? Science has some answers, and the answers may surprise you.
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June 7, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) program is for expansion of the use of crisis intervention teams in order to embed mental and behavioral health services with law enforcement, as well as the development of training programs.
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June 4, 2021
By Amanda C. Coyne
One agency that can’t work from home is the Georgia Department of Transportation. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, GDOT crews have been hard at work across the state to improve roadways and airports.
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June 4, 2021
By Alison Earles, CIPP/US, GMA Senior Associate General Counsel
The availability of vaccines to everyone 12 and over, President Biden’s call on employers to help promote vaccination, the availability of reimbursement for paid time off from April 1–Sept. 30, 2021 under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and President Joe Biden’s praise for Kroger’s incentive arrangement may cause cities to consider workplace vaccine promotion programs.
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FEMA has issued interim guidance for the framework, policy details and requirements for determining the eligibility of safe opening and operation work and eligible costs under the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program.
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COVID-19 reduced our range of motion in many ways. Based on GPS data from mobile devices, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that work-related travel dropped by more than 50% in April 2020 and currently hovers around 70% of normal activity.
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As Georgians get vaccinated and prepare for their emergence from the coronavirus pandemic, cities may find that they have a lot of work ahead of them—either because projects were put on hold or because the pandemic has led to new ideas. In any case, GMA is here to help.
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While cities are usually not direct healthcare providers, they can influence their residents’ quality of life in many ways. That is one of the main reasons why GMA’s Equity and Inclusion Commission identified health as an important component of its work. It is also why GMA partnered with the University of Georgia when its College of Public Health launched a new Health Equity Fellows program earlier this year.
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On a lovely sunny day in Savannah, as cargo ships cruised the Savannah River and visitors walked the cobblestone streets, more than 170 fire chiefs attended a diversity, equity and inclusion training class.
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June 4, 2021
By Becca J.G. Godwin
When families want to spend time together, celebrate a happy occasion or just blow off some steam, they often look to their community’s parks and recreational activities. Georgia’s cities are investing in infrastructure that provides these facilities and services in creative ways—and the payoff is rewarding for both residents and city leaders.
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Things looked a little different in 2021 for the annual training that the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and GMA present to help newly elected municipal officials learn more about municipal government.
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June 4, 2021
By Nikki Perry
While the Atlanta Beltline and Silver Comet Trail are the most high-profile multi-use trails in Georgia, dedicated pathways for walking, jogging and biking now crisscross the state. Communities are pursuing linear parks to encourage exercise, promote alternative transportation and connect residents to their favorite spots in their cities.
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June 4, 2021
By Amanda C. Coyne
For the seventh consecutive year, GMA has been named one of metro Atlanta’s top workplaces.
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Valdosta has long worked to address equity and inclusion within its own workforce, a diverse group of 650 employees from city hall to the fire department.
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Municipal clerks from several of Georgia’s cities joined thousands across the U.S., Canada and 15 other countries to celebrate the 52nd Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week from May 2-8.
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June 4, 2021
By Nikki Perry
“They gave me a key to the gate, a map and a dog, and said, ‘Good luck,’” Croom said, laughing. The stray dog came with the property. Croom will retire next year from a job that he loves and a system that he has shepherded through four expansions.
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June 4, 2021
By Alia Hoyt
Although Newnan will long remember the terror of the tornado of 2021, they won’t soon forget the kindness of strangers they now call neighbors during their time of need. When the situation is reversed in the future, it’s a safe bet that Newnan crews will be the first on the road to help.
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June 4, 2021
By: Amanda C. Coyne
Eatonton has its eye on the future. That’s not limited to safe roads and up-to-date infrastructure. With the Eatonton Youth Leadership Council, the city is also investing in human infrastructure, training local leaders of tomorrow.
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For many years, GMA has worked with city officials to document the scope of municipal infrastructure needs for water, sewer, transportation, public safety, parks and recreation and other priorities.
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June 4, 2021
By George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director for the Trust for Public Land and Commissioner
"Early in the pandemic, it became clear that the outdoors was the safest place to exercise, play and interact with friends and family. In fact, green spaces have seen record usage over the last year. One year into the pandemic, all signs indicate they will stay that way." - George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director for the Trust for Public Land and Commissioner, City of Decatur
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June 4, 2021
By Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director
"The journey to success may be long, but the intentionality of planning will ensure we take the right road to reach a destination of accomplishment, as opposed to our destination being “somewhere” or “anywhere.” - Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director
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June 4, 2021
By Vince Williams, GMA President
"And as we navigate our intergovernmental system, it is incumbent upon us to always hold high and respect what we as cities and city officials bring to the table. Without our own self-respect and support of each other, we will not succeed." - Vince Williams, GMA President
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June 4, 2021
By Cheryl Hargrove, Cultural Heritage Tourism Specialist Based on St. Simons Island
"As we enter a post-pandemic “reopening” phase, visitors still want many of the same experiences as pre-COVID: to feel welcomed and safe and experience unique shops and activities they cannot find at home." - Cheryl Hargrove, Cultural Heritage Tourism Specialist Based on St. Simons Island
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T-Mobile partnered with Smart Growth America and Main Street America, two consulting partners with a combined experience of over 60 years working to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities. The Hometown Grant program is committing up to $25 million over the next 5 years to support community projects in up to 100 small towns a year with project funding of up to $50,000 each.
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June 1, 2021
The Trust for Public Land
This past year has proved that parks are not just a nicety - they are a necessity. As Americans endured the health and economic challenges brought on by a global pandemic, the outdoors became a lifeline.
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June 1, 2021
Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE)
The Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) has conducted an annual workforce survey since 2009. This survey of human resource professionals tracks key challenges facing state and local governments in the recruitment and retention of talented employees and the strategies being employed to manage and compensate those staff.
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June 1, 2021
U.S. Small Business Administration
The American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2, § 5004) authorizes SBA to establish the Community Navigator Pilot Program to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, private nonprofit organizations, SBA Resource Partners, States, Tribes, and units of entities.
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During this webinar on May 26, 2021, GMA provided the latest updates on Treasury guidance for the ARPA Local Fiscal Relief Fund. This was open to all elected and appointed city officials, and if you missed it, you can watch it here.
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May 26, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies, building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes, and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.
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May 25, 2021
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA announces the release of three Local Government Solutions Guides for COVID-19 and Beyond (Local Solutions Guides). The intention of these guides is to provide background on the various solutions communities are pursuing to provide local government services in the face of COVID-19 related budget shortfalls and public health considerations. The guides cover the topics of adaptive design, grants management capacity, and alternative public service solutions. They offer general guidance and link to resources to provide readers an opportunity to dive further into solutions that best suit their community.
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Today's youth face a litany of challenges on their way to adulthood. In addition to peer pressure, kids also face mental health and disconnection challenges. The good news is that there are things adults can do to help – both individually and through organizations and programs – to address and alleviate these challenges.
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GMA held a webinar on May 19, 2021 to update city officials with the latest information on Treasury guidance for the use of funds in the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
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May 19, 2021
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative is awarding grants on a competitive basis to small law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices in rural locations. These grants will support improved training and technology, expanded community-based crime prevention programs, and partnerships with victim services providers.
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May 19, 2021
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
The Broadband Infrastructure Program makes grants on a competitive basis to covered partnerships for covered broadband projects.
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The pandemic and social unrest this past year exacerbated many existing inequities, including differences in health outcomes for Georgians. While cities are usually not direct healthcare providers, they can influence their residents’ quality of life in many ways.
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Thank you for attending the 2021 Newly Elected Officials Institute. This page contains the recorded videos from the March 2021 Newly Elected Officials Institute clourse. We hope these videos can be a continued resource to you in your career as a municipal elected official.
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Public Square
May 14, 2021
Robert Steuteville, Congress for the New Urbanism
Trilith in Fayetteville, Georgia, is built around the idea that well-designed public space contributes to individual happiness and community well-being.
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May 14, 2021
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
The Choice Neighborhoods program leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with distressed public and/or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation.
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What can your town or city do instead of waiting for the cavalry? Here are a few “do it yourself” cybersecurity best practices that can help you prevent ransomware and cyberattacks while keeping your costs and resource utilization low.
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GMA and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) offered this webinar on May 5, 2021, for city officials to explore the way that cities, schools, and summer learning programs can partner to plan for an impactful summer and combat COVID learning loss.
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On April 30 and 23, Governor Kemp issued extensive and detailed Executive Orders. This is a summary prepared by GMA’s Legal Department explaining these orders and their impact on local governments.
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While there is not yet formal guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department on final allocation amounts, information on when funds will be available and how they can be used, this webinar provided a “lay of the land” for city leaders and appointed officials to obtain an overview of the ARP and learn what actions you can take now to prepare for these resources.
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April 29, 2021
Georgia Power Company
Georgia Power Company's charitable giving management coordinates efforts to give back to communities. Strong preference is given to Georgia-based organizations and programs that seek to improve the quality of life for the state's residents.
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The Georgia Cities Foundation is currently accepting Nominations for the 2021 Renaissance and Starr Awards.
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