The City of Douglas has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as a PlanFirst Community for the fourth consecutive time and has received Revitalization Area Strategies (RAS) designation for the third year. These recognitions highlight the city’s dedication to effective local planning, history of collaboration, public engagement, comprehensive redevelopment efforts, and significant progress towards its established goals.
“We commend the City of Douglas on the efforts needed to gain this designation,” says Jon A. West, Georgia DCA Director of Community Development. “The City of Douglas will be recognized across the State of Georgia as a community that has created a robust vision of its future and maintains an active strategy for implementing that vision. This is a well-deserved acknowledgment of successful planning, and we look forward to working with Douglas going forward.”
Since 2017, Douglas has been recognized by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as a PlanFirst community for its implementation of the Local Comprehensive Plan. To maintain this status, Douglas must be designated as a Qualified Local Government, have an approved and adopted Service Delivery Strategy, be current on required reports to the DCA, and meet the Minimum Performance Standards for its region, as set by the Regional Commission. This designation brings rewards, including eligibility for incentives such as the ability to apply for CDBG annually during the designation period; bonus points on DCA programs such as the Redevelopment Fund, Employment Incentive Program, or the Downtown Revolving Loan Fund; hands-on assistance from DCA staff to help implement community work program activities, and other incentives that are under consideration.
The city also received its third continuation of DCA’s Revitalization Area Strategy (RAS) designation. RAS recognizes local planning and collaboration efforts and allows the city to apply annually for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and receive bonus points when applying for CDBG funds. The program rewards innovative local strategies and emphasizes collaborative redevelopment in areas with a poverty rate of 20% or higher, as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Plan. The current targeted location for the RAS is located off of McDonald Road. To view the RAS map, go to the city’s website, cityofdouglasga.gov, click under Community Development and then Planning and Zoning.
“We have very conscientious employees working on behalf of Douglas citizens in the Community Development Department,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “We have a great team working together to ensure that grant-funded projects help address needs in our community while also following the Comprehensive Plan and Urban Redevelopment Plan.”
Participation in PlanFirst and RAS designation programs lasts for three calendar years. Designated communities are encouraged to reapply to renew their designations for an additional three-year period.