City of Toccoa Receives Prestigous PlanFirst Designation From DCA

The City of Toccoa is the recipient of a PlanFirst Designation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

PlanFirst is DCA’s program to recognize and reward communities that clearly demonstrate an established pattern of successfully implementing their Local Comprehensive Plan.

At their meeting Monday night, the Toccoa Board of Commissioners heard from DCA representative Kathy Papa.

Papa told the Board the designation comes with a number of benefits to the City.

“The benefits include statewide recognition, also access to GEFA loans at a reduced interest rate. You also get additional points on other DCA funding programs, such as the Employment Center Program, Redevelopment Fund, and the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund, as well as free attendance at the Community Planning Institute,” she said.

Papa said the Toccoa’s responsibility is to continue to strive for planning excellence in all areas of their comprehensive plan and development.

After hearing from Papa,Toccoa Mayor David Austin signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DCA, which will be forwarded to the DCA Commissioner in Atlanta for his signature.

In other business, the City Commission also voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Stephens County Foundation.

City Manager Billy Morse said the MOU will allow the foundation to apply for tourism and product development grant funding.

“Since the City of Toccoa is the sole entity with the ability to seek tourism funding, local non-profits in this area may enter into an MOU with the City for their projects,” Morse explained. “The Stephens County Foundation wishes to do that for funding of an outdoor kitchen at the Tugaloo Bend Heritage site. The City attorney has reviewed the MOU and finds it acceptable, if you agree with the concept of the plan.”

The Stephens County Foundation manages the Tugaloo Corridor and the Tugaloo Bend Heritage site.

Foundation representative Joe Ferguson said they plan to apply for a $5,000 grant, which will be matched by the Foundation.

He said total cost of the outdoor kitchen is approximately $13,000.