Revitalization Area Strategies

1. Revitalization Area Strategies Partnering for Neighborhood Progress

2. Revitalization Area Strategies (RAS) Purpose Encourage local governments to build strategies for redeveloping “blighted” areas Revitalization Area Strategy

3. Remember • Revitalization applications must be turned in separately from CDBG applications. • Applications accepted throughout the year prior to April 1st • Additional documentation WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 1ST Revitalization Area Strategy

4. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Benefits • Can apply for CDBG every year • Provides up to 20 bonus points on CDBG Annual Competition applications • Five points on CHIP Annual Competition and Set-aside (if available) for projects in RAS areas • Small amount of money may be available for planning Revitalization Area Strategy

5. Scoring Criteria • Threshold Criteria • Economic Development tools • Investment Partnerships • Collaboration Revitalization Area Strategy

6. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Threshold Criteria – 5 points • Eligible census block group(s) 20% or greater poverty rate • Urban Redevelopment Area (O.C.G.A. 36-61) • CDBG Public Participation process Revitalization Area Strategy

7. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Economic Development tools – 5 points • Tax Allocation District (O.C.G.A. 36-88) • Community Improvement District • Business Improvement District • Enterprise Zone (O.C.G.A. 36-88) • Other locally designated, geographically targeted strategies Revitalization Area Strategy

8. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Economic Development tools – 5 points • Enterprise Zone (O.C.G.A. 36-88) EZ Incentives for Tifton business: -Waiver of building permit fee -Waiver of business license fee 1.5 years -Property tax abatement worth $11,412,760 over 10 years Revitalization Area Strategy

9. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Economic Development tools – 5 points • Other locally designated, geographically targeted strategies Washington: Developed Nuisance Ordinance and Non-Conforming Use Ordinance as a way to handle properties that contribute to blight Revitalization Area Strategy

10. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Economic Development tools – 5 points • Other locally designated, geographically targeted strategies Washington: Using Brownfield Grant to take care of blighted property Revitalization Area Strategy

11. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment Partnerships – up to 5 points • Includes funding partners such as: • Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority • Small Business Administration • U.S. Treasury • Tennessee Valley Authority • U.S. Department of Agriculture • Georgia Housing Finance Authority Revitalization Area Strategy

12. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment Partnerships – up to 5 points Toccoa: GA Carolina Radiocasting: $240,000-built 1 house $60,000 and 3 additional houses, Habitat for Humanity—built 1 house, another planned CCC Services: $1,300 raised for classes USDA: letter of qual. for 2 homeowners GA Dream: DCA--One loan ReMax: $1,200 1st time homebuyer classes NE GA Housing Authority: invested $830,900 in adjacent area First Citizens: $500k for home loans Revitalization Area Strategy

13. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment Partnerships – up to 5 points Tifton: Workforce Center, Developed by Partnership: Rural Development Center, Moultrie Tech, City, DDA Revitalization Area Strategy

14. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Collaboration – up to 5 points • Stakeholders may include: • Local lending institutions • Community or neighborhood housing organizations • Community based development organizations • Community development corporations • Community development entities Revitalization Area Strategy

15. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Collaboration – up to 5 points Washington: Homebuyer Education workshop--DCA Rusher Street Memorial Park--Committee Credit Counseling /Financial Literacy classes with area banks Housing Expo—now an annual event Home Buyer Ed, 1 on 1—with DCA Partners—WashingtonHousing Expo Revitalization Area Strategy

16. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Collaboration – up to 5 points • Toccoa: • TICH: housing fair, inspection, demolition costs • GA Baptist MERGE: 5 home repairs during summer program • Hill Street Baptist—Youth set up free clothing “Boutique” in area Revitalization Area Strategy

17. Urban Redevelopment Plan • Establish an Urban Redevelopment Plan • Cities • Counties • By simple resolution. • No referendum required! Revitalization Area Strategy

18. 2005 City of Waycross City of Ocilla (Denied 2008) City of Thomson/McDuffie County Hall County 2006 City of Barnesville City of Hartwell City of LaGrange 2007 City of Fitzgerald City of Valdosta City of Hinesville 2008 City of Colquitt City of Darien City of Griffin City of Tifton City of Toccoa City of Washington 2009 City of Brunswick City of Cuthbert City of Thomasville 2005-2009 Approved Revitalization Area Strategies Revitalization Area Strategy

19. City of Barnesville Homes face tracks Vacant industrial City of Barnesville Substandard Housing Poorly maintained RAS Projects City of LaGrange Street Connections Revitalization Area Strategy

20. City of Hartwell Drainage Improvements Hall County- Substandard Housing RAS Projects City of LaGrange Safe, Affordable Rental Housing Revitalization Area Strategy

21. RAS Projects City of Hartwell - Residential Blight Hall County - Drainage Revitalization Area Strategy

22. RAS Projects City of Toccoa - Residential Blight Revitalization Area Strategy

23. RAS Projects City of Washington – Rusher Street Residential Blight Revitalization Area Strategy

24. What They Did Well • Consulted with DCA staff during drafting • Long-term vision for the area • Well-defined area that included comprehensive activities • Grassroots involvement from area residents • Commitment from other funding partners • Documented commitment from funders and stakeholders Revitalization Area Strategy

25. Fix the Problems Understand the rules: • RAS Form 1 checklist is just a reminder • Read Applicants’ Manual instructions for Revitalization Strategies • Use the DCA Guidebook to URA • Read O.C.G.A. 36-61-1 et seq. on the Urban Redevelopment Law Revitalization Area Strategy

26. RAS Area CDBG or CHIP Application Maps • Projects must be entirely within RAS boundaries CDBG/CHIP maps must make clear RAS boundaries Revitalization Area Strategy

27. Report & Certification • Yearly Annual Progress Report – RAS Form - 2 • Three-Year Re-designation Certification Revitalization Area Strategy

28. Questions: Michelle Lewis – 404.679.0659 michelle.lewis@dca.ga.gov Glenn Misner – 404.679.3138 glenn.misner@dca.ga.gov Steed Robinson - 404.679.3168 steed.robinson@dca.ga.gov Revitalization Area Strategy