Georgia DCA redesignates Oconee County a Plan First community — benefits include loan-interest reductions and annual CDBG eligibility

At the Nov. 25 Elk County Board meeting a planning outreach coordinator from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) presented that Oconee County has been redesignated a Plan First community for the third time.

The coordinator said the designation — one of 14 across the state in this application period — recognizes strong implementation of a comprehensive plan, public engagement, leadership and project alignment with county goals. "This Plan First designation will last for three years," the coordinator said, and highlighted that the county can access program benefits such as reduced interest rates on certain GEFA water and sewer loans and an additional 1% interest-rate reduction on economic development loans administered by DCA. The county also becomes eligible to apply annually for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds rather than on a multi-year cycle.

The DCA presenter detailed the competitive review process and cited local outreach numbers that supported the designation: 12 public open houses, focus groups and an online survey that drew over 1,400 responses. The presentation credited elements including broadband expansion and the county's administration building as strengthening the county's application.

The board received a certificate from the DCA representative at the meeting. The designation does not itself appropriate funds; the coordinator noted that selected Program First communities may gain improved access to financing incentives and invitations to planning events at the state capital.