GMA Headlines
Governor Kemp has provided an update on Georgia’s COVID-19 response, which includes extensions to the statewide public health state of emergency and shelter in place order.
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April 8, 2020
PeopleForBikes
The PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program supports bicycle infrastructure projects and targeted advocacy initiatives that make it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to ride.
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April 8, 2020
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Acres for America is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) premier land conservation program and was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. This RFP will collect pre-proposals, from which NFWF will select a small number of applicants to submit a full proposal.
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April 8, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program will provide funding to assist eligible states, local units of government, and tribes in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus.
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On behalf of GMA and our 538 member cities in Georgia, we are calling on Congress to advance a fourth emergency appropriations package to address the immediate need for local budget relief by making direct emergency funding available to every city in need, regardless of population. Moreover, we call on Congress to include targeted programs focused on the intermediate and long-term needs of residents, households, and small businesses on the economic margins to ensure an economic rebound.
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With the COVID-19 crisis evolving rapidly, GMA has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for our members.
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April 6, 2020
Georgia Department Of Natural Resources
The Hurricane Irma Disaster Assistance Grant program is a one-time subgrant program to assist Georgia historic property owners with recovery from Hurricane Irma by addressing historic property needs unmet through other funding sources.
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Public Square
April 3, 2020
Robert Steuteville, Congress for the New Urbanism
The way the virus has hit states and regions of the country differs greatly. The State of Coronavirus in America looks at divergent health impacts, including varying acceleration and hotspots.
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City officials across Georgia are continuing to provide critical services to residents and businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In a state where 75% of cities have a population of less than 5000, that often means cities are operating with a limited number of staff. Water is one of the most basic and essential public services, yet small cities that provide water service often have a limited number of water department employees. In Georgia, there are 286 cities with a population below 5,000 that provide their own water distribution, water supply, and water treatment.
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April 1, 2020
Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
This year’s Census Day is one for the record books. For the first time ever, Georgia is completing the majority of our self-responses to the Census online.
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Dr. Kathleen Toomey, MD and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, shared an overview of the current status of the novel COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s ongoing response from her medical perspective. In the call, she also answers some frequently asked questions from city leaders about the virus.
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Find detailed information on the updated programs, application deadline extensions and more.
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April 1, 2020
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA)
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act (ASADRA) provides low-interest financing for water and wastewater resiliency projects for Georgia cities, counties, or water authorities that were impacted by Hurricane Michael.
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April 1, 2020
National League of Cities (NLC)
It’s Census Day! The National League of Cities is excited to support municipal leaders with information and tools to best implement Get–Out–The Count (GOTC) plans.
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March 31, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
This program provides funding for state, local, and tribal community corrections agencies to improve supervision capacity to prevent recidivism and reduce crime in their jurisdictions.
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March 31, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applications for funding state, local, and tribal community supervision agencies to develop and test new or enhanced applications of the swift, certain, and fair (SCF) principles of intervention to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for people under community supervision.
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March 31, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
This program will help jurisdictions assess their reentry system, identify strengths and gaps, and then build capacity for either improving reentry systems generally or improving service delivery by implementing or expanding a reentry program.
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Find detailed information on the updated programs, application extensions and more due to COVID-19.
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March 30, 2020
Georgia Institute of Technology
The 2020 Georgia Smart Communities Challenge (Georgia Smart) is now accepting applications from all Georgia communities. GMA, along with other organizations, is a partner with Georgia Tech in this effort.
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March 30, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted 2020 Census operations, but local officials can continue to provide information and encourage communities to complete their census questionnaires now.
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March 30, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
To help slow the spread of coronavirus, census field operations are suspended until April 15, 2020. The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also respond by phone or mail.
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March 27, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
This opportunity supports funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies for costs associated with the investigations and prosecutions of cold case murders suspected of having been racially motivated, including support for victims’ families and stakeholders impacted by these cases.
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March 27, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Justice Reinvestment Initiative enables criminal justice systems to improve their business management and operations processes by addressing the complex factors that drive crime and use of criminal justice system resources.
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March 27, 2020
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.
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March 27, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (STOP School Violence Act of 2018) gave the COPS Office authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, or Indian tribes to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs.
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On March 27, the U.S. House is expected to approve the approve the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, intended to bring financial relief to Americans and businesses impacted by the coronavirus.
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One great benefit of the online video explosion is the ability to easily stream videos live. As a city, you’ve probably already tried live streaming or want to explore this content option more. If so, we’ve got a few tips and best practices to keep in mind as you get those video cameras recording.
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GMA is urging municipal leaders in all of Georgia’s 538 cities to declare public health emergencies with guidance from the model ordinance created by the association. These public health emergencies will slow the rise of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Georgia and establish a uniform measure aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.
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March 23, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
This program assists state, local, and tribal jurisdictions in reducing crime and improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, specifically through support for innovative and evidence-based policing practices, more effective information sharing, and multi-agency collaboration.
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March 23, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
This program provides funding to support multidisciplinary community response teams to inventory, track, and expeditiously test previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.
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March 23, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) Integration Initiative is a competitive grant program that provides funding to state, local, and tribal government entities that are experiencing precipitous increases in gun-related violent crime.
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March 20, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program supports Department of Justice priorities to reduce serious and violent crime, including gun violence, dismantle gang activity, and strengthen local capacity to combat drug abuse.
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March 20, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Pay for success is outcomes-based programming that ties payment for services to reaching agreed upon goals. Under this program, services that may be purchased include permanent supportive and recovery housing, as well as other types of reentry services which are tailored to individuals leaving incarceration, particularly those with substance use disorders.
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This half-hour recorded webinar provides information on how local governments can maximize work continuity with employees working remotely.
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Georgia’s local officials have been thrust into a situation not of our making, but what is required of us is clear…open and transparent leadership grounded in the common good.
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March 17, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The purpose of the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies is to fund the purchase of body-worn cameras (BWC) that are implemented as part of comprehensive BWC programs. Funding can be used to support pilot programs, establish new implementations, or expand existing programs.
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March 17, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau launched a new online map as part of its 2020 Census Response Rate Challenge. Users will be able to track their community’s progress in responding to the 2020 Census.
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March 17, 2020
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) calls for proposals to investigate the effectiveness of state, county, and city public policies aimed at increasing housing affordability and stability, addressing racial segregation and isolation from opportunity, and increasing access to opportunity-rich neighborhoods and place-based resources.
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March 12, 2020
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) provides funding to assist a wide range of eligible activities, including housing improvement projects, public facilities such as water and sewer lines, buildings such as local health centers or head start centers, and economic development projects. All projects must substantially benefit low and moderate income persons.
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Georgia's cities are on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. With more cases occurring across the state on a daily basis, it’s important for local leaders to know where to find timely, accurate information.
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March 10, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
Although April 1 is officially designated as Census Day, 95 percent or about 143 million households in the country will receive an initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in their mailboxes between March 12 and 20.
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The Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) is presently soliciting nominations for its 2020 Renaissance and Starr Awards.
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Whether it be addressing toxic global political polarization or a win at all costs mindset held by some, this generation is not only ready for positive change but also willing to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and initiate it.
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March 5, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
The 2020 Census is just around the corner. Do you know who to count when you respond? Sharpen your census skills with this quiz.
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March 3, 2020
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
The Local Government Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement Program covers the costs of removing, transporting, and processing scrap tires cleaned up from identified, state-listed scrap tire dumps; removed from city and county right-of-ways; and collected during scrap tire amnesty events.
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March 3, 2020
National League of Cities
Home rule has historically provided a framework for local governance, but is it still meeting today's challenges? The National League of Cities (NLC) partnered with the Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) to release Principles of Home Rule for the Twenty-First Century.
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March 3, 2020
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking applications for funding of projects designed to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in confinement facilities, and to achieve and maintain compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards.
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March 2, 2020
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA will make grants to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations to provide associations technical assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs.
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Public Square
February 29, 2020
Robert Steuteville, Congress for the New Urbanism
As cities and towns plan for rapidly changing transportation technology, flexible urban design and policy solutions are needed.
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February 27, 2020
National League of Cities (NLC)
The National League of Cities’ Census Rapid Response Grant Program extends urgent financial resources for cities and their local partners to improve or increase Get Out The Count (GOTC) activities.
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"After 30 years of walking the marble halls and lobbies of Georgia’s Capitol, it’s a wonder I don’t hear the House and Senate voting bells ringing in my ears while I sleep." - Tom Gehl, GMA Director of Governmental Relations
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"I believe public officials office and a desire to serve because they have an optimistic outlook on the future—they see an opportunity to make a difference, to make things better and improve the quality of life for those they serve." - Larry Hanson, GMA Executive Director
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"I’ve been involved with GMA for 30 years now, and as much as any time in the past, exciting things are taking place." - Dublin Mayor Phil Best, GMA President
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GMA is following several issues this legislative session and keeping cities’ interests as its top priority.
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February 26, 2020
Georgia Municipal Association
While annexations are essential to the health of Georgia’s cities, they are also procedurally complex. GMA would like to inform local officials of reporting requirements associated with annexations.
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February 25, 2020
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is still recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count.
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February 25, 2020
Georgia Municipal Association
The GMA Grants & Award Opportunities page now includes a newsletter subscription to receive updates on funding opportunities.
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February 24, 2020
U.S. Department of Transportation
The FY 2020 BUILD Transportation grants are for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact.
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February 19, 2020
National Institute on Retirement Security
A new issue brief finds that Millennials working in state and local government are satisfied with their jobs and intend to stay with their employers so long as their benefits are not cut.
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February 19, 2020
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
The Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grant Program provides funding for roadside enhancement and beautification projects along Georgia’s roadsides. The funds may be used only for landscape plant material and its installation for the furtherance of roadside enhancement and beautification projects along state routes in Georgia.
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February 19, 2020
National League of Cities (NLC)
The nation’s first “digital” census presents myriad opportunities - and potential challenges - for a complete and accurate count. The National League of Cities, with partners at the Beeck Center, has created "The 2020 Census: Digital Preparedness Playbook" to help local leaders prepare.
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February 19, 2020
By East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham
A recent survey by GMA indicates that Georgia’s cities are facing $11.2B of capital needs between now and 2022. As an elected official, it is top-of-mind that property tax increases can’t be the go-to for covering the investment needs across the state.
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February 18, 2020
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education recently released the 2020 edition of the annual Top 10 Issues to Watch report, which identifies and analyzes the key education issues Georgia will be or should be addressing in the coming year.
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Taking the long-view in the decision making process can be difficult in the short term, but will always pay dividends in the long run.
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