The Regional Partners Network is dedicating the month of February to grant readiness , because strong organizations are built before the funding opportunity appears, not after. Grant readiness is more than having a good idea, it is about systems, documentation, leadership alignment, and the capacity to manage funds responsibly. As part of this focus, we need your participation before our February 18 meeting to ensure the discussion is practical, targeted, and responsive to real needs across the region. Please Complete These Two Quick Steps 1️⃣ Register for the RPN Meeting Wednesday, February 18 This meeting will center on how we can collectively strengthen grant readiness across our region, identify common challenges, and share practical strategies that help organizations move from interest to implementation. ➡️ Register for the February 18 RPN Meeting 2️⃣ Take the Grant Readiness Survey This short survey is a critical part of our preparation. Your responses will help shape the meeting discussion, guide panel insights, and ensure we address the areas where organizations need the most support. ➡️ Click here to complete the Grant Readiness Survey Why This Matters Funders increasingly expect organizations to demonstrate financial controls, governance structures, program clarity, and evaluation capacity before awards are made. Organizations that invest time in readiness are more competitive, more sustainable, and better positioned to steward public and private funds responsibly. Your participation helps us elevate not just individual organizations, but the overall funding strength of our region. We look forward to engaging with you on February 18 and building a stronger, more grant-ready network together.

Reminder: DCA Virtual NOFO Webinar & Q&A — Today at 1:00 PM

Communities seeking to improve safety, walkability, and accessibility in their downtowns should take note, the GM on Main Street Grant Program is nearing its application deadline. This competitive opportunity supports innovative road safety and traffic calming projects designed to enhance Main Streets and neighborhood commercial districts in eligible communities near General Motors facilities. What the Grant Is For The GM on Main Street Grant Program funds physical road safety and traffic calming projects that make downtowns safer and more inviting for pedestrians, residents, and visitors. Projects should focus on measures such as traffic calming installations, pedestrian safety improvements, and creative approaches that improve quality of life in publicly accessible downtown or commercial areas. Each selected community will receive $60,000 to implement an eligible project. Who Is Eligible Applicants must meet the following criteria: Be a local government entity or a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization Be located in an eligible county (selected based on proximity to GM facilities across multiple states, including Georgia) Submit one application per organization Previous GM on Main Street grantees may reapply if prior projects were successfully completed Eligible funding is limited to physical project costs, such as construction materials, equipment, installation labor, and limited engineering or design fees. Key Timeline Applications Opened: November 19, 2025 Applications Due: February 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT Award Notifications: Late April 2026 Project Implementation Period: May 1 – November 30, 2026 Projects Must Be Complete and Publicly Usable By: November 30, 2026 Communities selected for funding will have seven months to complete their projects and will participate in brief progress reporting and cohort learning sessions. Why This Matters This program prioritizes projects that are innovative, feasible, inclusive, and replicable, making it a strong fit for downtowns looking to pilot creative safety solutions that can be scaled or modeled elsewhere. ⏰ With the February 13 deadline quickly approaching, eligible communities are encouraged to act now. Review eligibility requirements carefully and submit applications as soon as possible to avoid missing this opportunity.

The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC) is proud not only to support our local governments but also to celebrate their accomplishments. We extend our congratulations to the City of Albany , which has been named one of nine Georgia cities recognized as 2026 Visionary City Award Honorees by the Georgia Municipal Association in partnership with Georgia Trend. This statewide recognition honors cities that turn thoughtful planning into measurable results for their residents. According to Georgia Trend, the 2026 honorees demonstrate that visionary leadership is rooted in listening to residents, working collaboratively, and following through with purpose-driven action. Why Albany Was Recognized Albany was honored for the reopening of the Charles Driskell Park Community Center , a project shaped by resident input and focused on neighborhood-driven revitalization. The City transformed an aging facility into an ADA-compliant community hub offering after-school programs, wellness activities, technology access, and welcoming gathering space. Outdoor enhancements, including an accessible playground, further expand the center’s role as a place for education, health, and connection. This investment reflects Albany’s continued commitment to inclusive planning and community-centered outcomes. For readers interested in learning more about Albany’s project and the other 2026 Visionary City Award honorees, full details are available through the Georgia Municipal Association’s feature article: Nine Georgia Cities Named 2026 Visionary City Award Honorees (GMA). SWGRC applauds the City of Albany and all honorees for their leadership and dedication to building strong, resilient, and forward-looking communities across Georgia.  References: Georgia Municipal Association. (2026, January 27). Nine Georgia cities named 2026 Visionary City Award honorees. https://www.gacities.com/articles/nine-georgia-cities-named-2026-visionary-city-award-honorees Georgia Trend. (2026). Visionary City Awards. Georgia Trend Magazine.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is offering multiple no-cost virtual training opportunities in 2026 to support preparedness, resilience, and threat awareness across public and private sector organizations. These trainings are open to eligible participants nationwide and are designed to strengthen organizational readiness for evolving security challenges. Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Format: Virtual (Webinar) Cost: Free Registration Limit: 600 participants (no waiting list) CISA’s Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar is a two-hour, non-tactical training focused on enhancing organizational readiness and response planning in the event of an active shooter incident. The session emphasizes prevention, preparedness, and recovery, recognizing that these incidents are often unpredictable and escalate rapidly. Key objectives include: Understanding elements of active shooter incident response planning Identifying common behaviors and potential violence indicators Reviewing best practices, communication protocols, and available resources Introducing Emergency Action Plan development concepts Note: This webinar will proceed as scheduled even in the event of a federal government shutdown. 👉 Registration is required and space is lim ited. [Register for the March 12 Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar] ASWeb_12-MAR-26_R4-Invitation Additional Active Shooter Webinar Dates (11:00 a.m. EDT): April 8, 2026 June 10, 2026 August 20, 2026 Surveillance Detection Principles Course (SDPC) CISA is also offering the Surveillance Detection Principles Course (SDPC) , a four-hour virtual instructor-led training delivered through the Office of Bombing Prevention’s Virtual Training platform. Course Dates & Times: February 9, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET February 20, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. ET Registration: Limited to the first 350 participants per session This course supports national preparedness efforts related to major upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and America250 celebrations. Topics include: Hostile operations and surveillance behaviors Identifying hostile surveillance indicators Conducting vulnerability assessments Surveillance detection “red zones” and positions Elements of an effective surveillance detection plan Participants will gain foundational knowledge to recognize hostile surveillance at facilities and events, as well as introductory skills for planning and response. Who Should Attend: Critical infrastructure owners and operators Public safety officers and emergency managers Law enforcement personnel Security professionals and officers Private sector partners involved in facility or event security How to Register: Participants must register using their FEMA SID and password . If technical issues arise, assistance is available at OBPTraining@cisa.dhs.gov . Why This Matters Preparedness training is a critical component of organizational resilience. These CISA-sponsored opportunities provide practical, accessible guidance to help communities, agencies, and organizations anticipate threats, plan effectively, and respond with confidence. We encourage local governments, public safety partners, and private sector stakeholders to take advantage of these no-cost training opportunities and share them widely within their networks. References Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2026). Active shooter preparedness webinar [Flyer]. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov/active-shooter-preparedness Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2025). Surveillance detection principles course (SDPC). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.cisa.gov

 The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has opened registration for its Spring 2026 Community Planning Institute (CPI), scheduled for March 19–20, 2026, in Brunswick, Georgia. DCA is asking Regional Commissions to help share this opportunity with local governments across the state. Hosted in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association (GPA), CPI is a highly regarded, 1.5-day intensive training designed for professionals who need high-quality instruction without extended time away from their communities. Why Attend the Community Planning Institute? For more than 21 years , CPI has supported Georgia’s communities by equipping local leaders with practical planning tools and real-world examples. The Spring 2026 institute continues this tradition by combining expert instruction, peer learning, and on-the-ground project exposure. At $300 per attendee , CPI offers one of the best values for local government training in Georgia , pairing: High-quality planning resources Exposure to transformative housing and downtown development projects A compressed, efficient agenda tailored for busy local officials Who Should Attend? This training is ideal for: Planning commissioners Elected officials City and county staff Regional commission staff Local government professionals involved in planning, housing, and community development Topics Covered Participants can expect sessions focused on: Comprehensive planning fundamentals Affordable housing strategies, including combating NIMBYism Using CDBG funds to implement local plans Downtown revitalization approaches Success stories from communities across Georgia A housing tour of a Rural Workforce Housing Grantee And more Location & Lodging The institute will be held in Brunswick, Georgia. DCA has secured a discounted group rate of $139 per night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brunswick (138 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525). Hotel booking information will be provided after registration. Registration & Scholarships Local governments are encouraged to register early. Full details and registration are available on DCA’s Community Planning Institute webpage: 👉 Community Planning Institute Information & Registration https://dca.georgia.gov/community-assistance/coordinated-planning/local-planning/community-planning-institute Attendees may also be eligible for scholarship support through the Denise Abboud Memorial Fund via the Georgia Planning Memorial Foundation. Additional information is available through the Georgia Planning Association.

The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC) recently recognized RMS with a Transit Services Award during a Council meeting, honoring the organization’s continued commitment to providing reliable and accessible transportation services across the region. The award was presented by Donnie Baggett, SWGRC Chairman, alongside Suzanne Angell, Executive Director. Accepting the award on behalf of RMS were Tim Pinson, RMS President, and Holly Polluck. Also in attendance were Dorothy Worden, Amanda Barfield, Shannon Robinson, and Amanda Nava‑Estell, Director of Transportation. The recognition highlights RMS’s ongoing partnership with SWGRC and its essential role in supporting mobility and access to services throughout Southwest Georgia.

The Partnership for Innovation (PIN) has issued a regional call to action as the application deadline approaches for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, which closes on February 1. Local governments, regional organizations, and community partners across Southwest Georgia are being encouraged to help promote internship projects to ensure a strong and competitive pool of applicants. PIN, housed at Georgia Institute of Technology, connects college students with applied, real-world projects led by public and community-based organizations. The 12-week paid internship program places students on high-impact initiatives that support innovation, problem-solving, and workforce development at the local level. The PIN Summer Internship Program is open to technical college, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students of all majors, providing broad access to experiential learning opportunities. Selected interns receive professional mentorship, networking opportunities, and a total stipend of $8,000, paid biweekly over the course of the summer. Community partners interested in supporting recruitment are encouraged to repost official PIN internship announcements and tag Partnership for Innovation on LinkedIn and other platforms. Customized outreach language is available to make promotion easy and consistent across regions. Students and interested applicants can review available project descriptions and apply directly through the official PIN application portal. Organizations seeking additional guidance on recruitment or outreach strategies may contact KeAndrea Rivers with the Partnership for Innovation team. Key Dates and Links Application Deadline: February 1 Program Length: 12 weeks (Summer 2026) Stipend: $8,000 total Apply Here: Summer PINternship Application Project Listings: PSI 2026 Project Job Descriptions By expanding outreach efforts over the coming weeks, Southwest Georgia partners can help ensure that local projects attract talented students while strengthening the region’s innovation and workforce pipeline.

Local governments across Southwest Georgia are encouraged to apply for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Safety Equipment Purchase Program, which currently has more than $1 million in available funding remaining for the current fiscal year. This program has a strong track record of delivering quick, high-impact safety improvements at locations with documented safety needs. Program Overview The Safety Equipment Purchase Program is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and is designed to support local agencies by purchasing safety equipment, while the local government installs and maintains the equipment. Projects may be located on or off the state route system, making this a flexible opportunity for cities and counties addressing pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety concerns. Eligible Safety Equipment Eligible equipment includes, but is not limited to: Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) Flashing Yellow Arrows Signal backplates and visibility enhancements Other traffic safety devices Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) may also be considered; however, due to their higher cost, these requests must include strong justification and demonstrate that the local agency has the capacity to install and maintain the equipment. Key Application Requirements Applicants should be prepared to provide: A clear safety justification, supported by crash data or other relevant studies An installation and maintenance plan Location details, including whether the equipment is on a state route Supporting analysis, which may be completed using existing pedestrian or bicycle planning contracts Please note that any signal equipment installed on a state route will be required to go through the GDOT signal permitting process. GDOT staff are available to assist local agencies with this step. Timeline and Next Steps Applications are being accepted through March, and GDOT strongly encourages eligible local governments to identify priority locations and submit requests as soon as possible. This program has consistently proven to be an effective way to implement safety improvements without long project delivery timelines. A Safety Equipment Request Form is available below. Applicants are also welcome to attend upcoming VRU Task Team meetings, where GDOT staff will walk through the application and answer questions. Call to Action: If you are aware of intersections, corridors, or crossings in your community that would benefit from enhanced safety measures, now is the time to apply. [Button: Safety Equipment Request Application]