Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Award topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gainesville earns Georgia DCA 'Plan First' designation for 2026–2028
Summary
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs presented Gainesville with a Plan First designation — one of 14 communities in the state for 2026–2028 — recognizing its comprehensive plan and public engagement; the designation brings program benefits including preferred consideration for certain loans and grant bonus points.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs presented the City of Gainesville with a Plan First designation on Dec. 16, recognizing the city’s comprehensive planning work and public engagement.
Daniel Gattis, speaking for the department, told the council the designation runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2028, and noted Gainesville is one of 14 local governments to receive Plan First status for that period and one of four communities to have the designation four times. He said the program highlights communities that match long-range planning goals with tangible investments and public involvement and that Plan First recognition can confer practical benefits, including reduced interest rates on certain Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) water and sewer loans and bonus points on select grant applications.
The award highlighted projects and programs cited by reviewers, including local land-bank and land-trust work, the Athens Street project, Harrison Village housing tax credit development and the Midland Greenway. Gattis said reviewers praised local leadership and training, the city’s stated goals for housing affordability, economic development, historic preservation and transportation connectivity, and partnerships with state and university reviewers.
Mayor (addressing the council) thanked staff for their work on the application and credited city employees for the accomplishment, saying the recognition reflects the staff’s and leadership’s investment in planning and training.
City officials said they will use the designation to pursue financing and grant opportunities tied to Plan First communities while continuing implementation of the comprehensive plan through the next three years. A photo opportunity followed the presentation.
