Fourteen Georgia communities have received the PlanFirst designation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for the 2026-2028 program cycle. The recognized communities are Brookhaven, Brunswick, Bryan County, Cedartown, Cochran, Covington, Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville, Oconee County, Sugar Hill, and Woodstock.
Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, and Gwinnett County have each achieved PlanFirst status for a fourth time. This recognition is awarded to local governments that demonstrate effective community engagement and successful implementation of their Local Comprehensive Plans.
To be eligible for PlanFirst status, communities must hold Qualified Local Government status. They are also required to have an approved Service Delivery Strategy and be current on all necessary reports to DCA. These include Government Management Indicators and the Report of Local Government Finances. Additionally, they must meet the Minimum Performance Standards established by their regional commission.
Applicants for PlanFirst must address four main criteria: goals, leadership, community engagement, and implementation. The designation is valid for three years starting January 1, 2026.
PlanFirst communities receive statewide recognition and can access several incentives. These include three bonus points on Housing Tax Credit applications and reduced interest loans. They also gain annual eligibility for Community Development Block Grants and may receive bonus points on other DCA programs such as the Redevelopment Fund and Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP), as well as the Employment Incentive Program or Downtown Revolving Loan Fund.
“These communities join an esteemed group of local governments recognized for their outstanding efforts in community engagement and the successful implementation of their Local Comprehensive Plans,” according to the DCA announcement.
To learn more about PlanFirst, click here.
