Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dublin named a Plan First community again; state official says designation unlocks financing perks
Summary
Dublin received its fourth Plan First designation from the state Department of Community Affairs, a three-year recognition that gives the city access to incentives including reduced GEFA loan rates, annual CDBG application eligibility and bonus points on competitive housing funding programs.
Daniel Gatis of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs presented Dublin with its fourth Plan First designation, telling the City Council the recognition will last for three years beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and that only a handful of communities have achieved the honor four times. "This designation recognizes the hard work of local governments in successful comprehensive plan implementation," Gatis said during the Nov. 20 council meeting.
The Plan First program evaluates applications on goals, leadership, participation and implementation and provides a suite of incentives, Gatis said. The department highlighted reduced interest rates on certain Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loans — an incentive that has in some past cases saved communities more than $300,000 on water and sewer financing — three bonus points on Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) applications and three bonus points on LIHTC housing tax credit projects if a local revitalization plan is adopted. "Additionally, you now have annual access to CDBG," Gatis said, referring to Community Development Block Grant funding that Plan First communities may apply for each year rather than every other year.
Mayor Kite and other council members said the designation has resulted in tangible projects and savings for Dublin. Council remarks cited roughly $12.5 million in CDBG and GEFA awards the city has received since 2015 that they said were directly boosted by the Plan First designation and used to support projects including street and housing work in recent years.
City staff and elected officials framed the recognition as part of an integrated approach to housing and economic development: aligning planning work with grant applications and streamlined approvals to attract investment. The council and staff thanked the DCA team and noted the recognition will be publicized through certificates and press releases.
The council did not take formal action beyond receiving the presentation and arranging a photo with the presenter; city officials encouraged residents to review the city’s comprehensive plan and upcoming projects on the city website.
