Georgia Signature Community Program
Program Description | Selected Participants | Contact Information
Signature Community Program Description
Georgia's communities are DCA's number one "customer," and the Department provides a broad array of community improvement programs to these customers. But seldom are all these programs brought together to comprehensively address local needs. The Georgia Signature Community Program is designed to do just that—to target all of DCA's tools to maximum advantage for deserving communities.
The Signature Community Program is intended to "raise the bar," helping communities reach ever higher levels of community achievement and quality of life for their citizens. It is limited to communities that are serious about improving local quality of life through effective planning, implementation and taking a comprehensive approach to addressing community improvement issues. The program recognizes these communities and gives them specialized technical and financial assistance with implementing key initiatives* identified in their comprehensive plans.
Communities selected for the Signature Community Program will receive the following package of benefits:
- Customized technical assistance to achieve key initiatives (i.e., vision elements, goals and/or implementation activities) selected from the local comprehensive plan.
- Access to a Signature Community grant. The Signature Community Program is not, however, simply a grant program; rather, a community improvement program to implement initiatives of the local Comprehensive Plan. Grant funds may be used to implement ideally a single or several related Plan initiatives.
- Assistance in identifying other financial resources for implementing the identified initiatives.
- Statewide recognition.
All general-purpose local governments (cities and counties) are eligible to participate in the program. Joint, multi–government applications are also encouraged. Each participating city or county must be in compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations, including maintenance of their Qualified Local Government certification.
The Program was officially launched July 1, 2005 (fiscal year 2006) and will be continued in future years. Interested communities should monitor this site for further as well as updated information, including application guidelines/programmatic changes, application and selection schedule and other related details. Communities compete for selection as “program participants.” After working with DCA and its partners to successfully implement Comprehensive Plan goals, as stated in the application, the community is officially designated as a Georgia Signature Community.
Applications are typically due in August. On-line submittal of the application may, in the next invitation round, be available. As previously stated, please monitor this site for the next announcement re: Signature Community Program applications.
* “Initiative” — A local initiative should be a challenging and complex activity or group of activities that will work in concert to address a pressing issue for the community (e.g., improving walkability, need for greenspace & environmental protection) or to improve a recognized geographic section of the community (e.g., revitalize a neighborhood, enliven downtown, enhance a planned character area).
Signature Community Application (2007 Sample) (Word Document)
Signature Community Schedule (Typical) (Word Document)
View a Signature Communities Press Release
FY2008 Selected Participants
FY2007 Selected Participants
FY2006 Selected Participants
Covington - Newton County
St. Marys, Kingsland, Woodbine and Camden County
Forsyth
Tifton - Tift County
Snellville
Contact Information
For more information, contact Winfred Owens by clicking here.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231
