The City of Camilla was Recognized by DCA at the State Capitol
Pictured (left to right) Kelvin Owens-Camilla Mayor, Barbara Reddick-SWGRC Deputy/Planning Director, Suzanne Angell- SWGRC Executive Director, Raimond Burley- Camilla City Councilman, Corey Morgan - Camilla City Councilman
and DCA commissioner Christopher Nunn (In the back).
The DCA Planning Day at the Capitol is an event hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to recognize PlanFirst Communities at the Georgia State Capitol. PlanFirst is a program that acknowledges cities and counties in Georgia for their excellence in community planning and implementation of their comprehensive plans.
During this event, representatives from newly designated and re-designated PlanFirst Communities are honored by state leaders, including DCA officials and Georgia legislators. The event provides an opportunity for these communities to highlight their planning successes, network with state officials, and discuss policy initiatives that impact local planning and development. It also serves as a platform to emphasize the importance of strong, proactive planning efforts in fostering sustainable growth and economic development in Georgia.
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Receives 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations
Five Southwest Georgia Communities Awarded CHIP Housing Grants
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Staff Participate in 2026 GARC Economic Development Conference
SWGRC Staff Attend HUD Healthy Homes Program Manager Training
Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Cycle
RRP Lead-Based Paint Certification Training Coming to Camilla
Miller County Transit Development Plan (TDP) in Development
The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is currently developing a Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Lee County. This effort aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration while supporting local planning and informational needs. The plan is funded through a planning grant from GDOT (5304) and is intended to serve as a guiding resource for the county and its municipalities. This plan is prepared with data compiled from several sources, including U.S. Census Bureau data, American Community Survey results, the community’s most recent Comprehensive Plan, GDOT’s adopted Regional Transit Development Plan, GDOT’s Statewide Transit Plan, community input survey results, community websites, and Southwest Georgia Regional Transit trip data. Lee County, its municipalities, and GDOT, will be encouraged to use this plan to help inform future decisions related to rural public transit services. Community Input Meetings Two meetings are scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the Leesburg Library 1:00 PM-2:00 PM at the Oakland Library Download the flyer which includes a QR code for easy access to the survey. The survey does not have to be completed at the scheduled meetings. The survey can be completed at any time, and a direct link to the survey is also provided here . Additionally, I encourage anyone to reach out to me by phone if they do not have internet access or cannot attend the meeting using the contact information below: Amanda Nava-Estill Director of Transportation (229) 552-3552 x108
BJA FY25 De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, and sheriff’s departments in developing, implementing, or expanding de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education with on-campus police departments, public or state-controlled hospitals with on-campus police departments (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- BJA FY25 Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative This funding opportunity seeks to support local law enforcement in rural jurisdictions to prevent, respond to, and reduce violent crime. The goal is to equip rural law enforcement agencies and prosectors’ offices with the resources necessary to implement a violent crime reduction strategy to solve a specific violent crime challenge. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- OJJDP FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program This funding opportunity supports the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and violence and promote public safety. These strategies will help to prevent youth from joining gangs, discontinue involvement in gangs, and prevent and reduce additional youth gang violence. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 21, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 1, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.
Bainbridge, GA October 28-29, 2026 In-Person: 2-day conference The DCA Office of Planning, in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association, offers a series of classes called the Community Planning Institute to Georgia’s planning commissioners, elected officials and local government staff. The Institute provides information about planning for land use, growth and development. This is especially helpful for those communities that will be updating their local comprehensive plan in the coming year. Registration opens in June. $300
