Georgia County Government - February 2009 - (Page 22)

ResearchCorner How to Promote Economic Development in Your Rural County I By Michele NeSmith Research and Policy Development Director The OneGeorgia Authority provides many economic development opportunities for rural counties. n the current slow economy, it is often difficult to attract or grow existing businesses in your county. It is especially hard for those counties that have modest funding to dedicate to economic development or that have little staff experience in showcasing their area of the state. Fortunately, the OneGeorgia Authority may be able to offer your county the tools necessary to bring in or expand businesses in your community. The OneGeorgia Authority is an organization dedicated to assisting the state’s most economically challenged areas by offering financial partnerships to create strong economies. It receives its funding through Georgia’s share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and anticipates spending $1.6 billion on investments over the 25-year term of the settlement. Cities, counties, government authorities and multi-county or multi-jurisdictional development authorities are eligible to participate in the grant and loans programs. There are currently seven grant and loan programs that are available to qualifying counties. Although some of the OneGeorgia programs have specific eligibility requirements, generally those counties that are “located outside the boundaries of a metropolitan area with a population of 50,000 or less and with a poverty rate of 10 percent or greater” are directly eligible. If your county does not meet this definition, it may be conditionally eligible by having a population of less than 500,000 that shares a border with a directly eligible rural county. The Airport Initiative in Rural Georgia (AIRGeorgia) Fund provides grants to integrate airport infrastructure improvements, such as runway extensions, installation of navigational aids and weather reporting stations. The AIRGeorgia Fund is intended to accelerate the completion of critical airport infrastructure improvements, thereby placing every Georgian within a 30-minute drive of an airport capable of serving 85 percent of the corporate aircraft flying today. The Broadband Rural Initiative to Develop Georgia’s Economy (BRIDGE) Fund provides grants for publicly owned infrastructure based on the number of rural counties receiving new or enhanced high-speed broadband services. Funding amounts are up to $200,000 for a single county and $400,000 for two counties. Regional projects serving three or more counties, one being a directly eligible county, do not have a maximum as based on the strategy and sustainability of the project. Approved activities primarily include technical assistance, engineering and planning services, There are currently seven grant and loan programs that are available to qualifying counties. 22 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2009

Georgia County Government - February 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters ACCG Training Programs: A Foundation for Excellence in County Government ACCG Welcomes Newly Elected Commissioners Georgia’s Trauma System: The Emergency Management System Component Demographics Program Addresses County Planning Extension News: 4-H Camping Program Benefits Georgia Youth Research Corner: Promote Economic Development in Your Rural County County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2009

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