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FAQS

FAQS

1 What is a Regional Commission?

A Regional Commission is a quasi-governmental regional planning organization created and managed under Georgia law by their member local governments. Georgia's RCs perform many functions, but essentially develop, promote, and provide comprehensive planning and development services that seek to make Georgia and its many local communities better places to live and work. They provide professional technical assistance to state and federal agencies as well as quality growth and development.

2 Do Regional Commissions constitute a separate
layer of government?

No, RCs serve their local governments. They depend on variety of funding sources and have no taxing, legislative, or regulatory authority.

3 How were Regional Commissions created?

The State of Georgia allowed local governments to voluntarily join together and assess themselves local dues for hiring of professional staff for their mutual benefit. These new groups were called Area Planning and Development Commissions (APDCs). The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 reconstituted the APDCs as Regional Development Centers (RDCs). The Planning Act of 1989 gave RDCs the responsibility for developing, promoting and assisting in the establishment of coordinated and comprehensive planning in the state. RDCs underwent yet another transition in 2009 as a result of House Bill 1216, when they became Regional Commissions.

4How are Regional Commissions funded?

RCs are funded by per capita dues from county members, State and Federal funds, grants, and special projects.

5Who determines the Regional Commission program of work?

The member local governments drive the RCs programs but the RC is mandated to carry out certain efforts in order to receive federal and state funds. Local governments determine the final program of work by approving a slate of projects and programs that include locally requested projects as well as state and federal programs. Annual Work Program is adopted by the RCs Council in concert with the annual budget.

6What types of contracts do RCs receive and with what types of agencies?

A primary function of RCs is to create partnerships with state and federal agencies for funds that benefit the member local governments. The following are a few examples of some existing partnerships:

• Georgia Department of Community Affairs - Planning
• Georgia Department of Human Resources - Workforce Investment, Census Studies
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Historic Preservation
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division - Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
• Georgia Department of Transportation - Planning, Transit Programs
• Economic Development Administration - Economic Development Strategies
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Local Security
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Hazard Mitigation.

7Do other states have Regional Commissions?

Yes, according to the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) , there are more than 500 regional planning and development organizations operating under a variety of different names in 47 states.

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Name

Department

Position

Email

Phone

Position

Name

Chris Strom

Administration

Assistant Executive Director

Assistant Executive Director

Amy Martin

Regional Transit

Transportation Director

Transportation Director

James Horton

Planning

Planning Director

Planning Director

Kelly Schultz

Finance

Finance Director

Finance Director

Kimberly Hobbs

Administration

Executive Director

Executive Director

Lance Wilcher

Lending

Director of Lending

Director of Lending

Rachel Strom

GIS

GIS Program Director

GIS Program Director

Roberta Lovett

Workforce Development

Deputy Executive Director

Deputy Executive Director

Scott Courson

Area Agency on Aging

Director Of Aging Services

Director Of Aging Services

Tonia Hendricks

Community Econ Development

Community & Economic Development Director

Community & Economic Development Director

Amy Jones

Workforce Development

Business Services Program Manager

Business Services Program Manager

Angie Swinford

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Ben Singletary

GIS

GIS Analyst

GIS Analyst

Bonnie Howard

Workforce Development

Workforce Program Monitor

Workforce Program Monitor

Christy Joyner

Area Agency on Aging

Dementia Care Specialist

Dementia Care Specialist

Dominique Richardson

Finance

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Donna McIntosh

Area Agency on Aging

Aging Fiscal Specialist

Aging Fiscal Specialist

Dorothy Miles

Administration

Admin Assistant

Admin Assistant

Ella Lahmann

Community Econ Development

Fiscal Specialist

Fiscal Specialist

Evi Estep

Workforce Development

Fiscal Officer

Fiscal Officer

Greg Nazworth

IT

PC Tech Support

PC Tech Support

Haylee Metts

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Jackie Bennett

Administration

Admin Assistant

Admin Assistant

Jennifer New

Finance

Finance

Jill Cunningham

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Judy Gary

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Justin Jacobs

GIS

GIS Regional Project Manager

GIS Regional Project Manager

Kacey Lee

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Assistant

ADRC Assistant

Kim Vining

Administration

Admin Assistant

Admin Assistant

Kimberly Meeks

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Kristi Hames

Area Agency on Aging

Aging & Disability Assistant

Aging & Disability Assistant

Laura Smith

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Program Manager

ADRC Program Manager

Linda Gail

Area Agency on Aging

GeorgiaCares Coordinator

GeorgiaCares Coordinator

Lindsay Ray

Community Econ Development

CED Grant Specialist

CED Grant Specialist

Lu Danforth

Regional Transit

Transportation Analyst

Transportation Analyst

Lynn Lee

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Marcus McConico

Planning

Planner

Megan Fowler

Regional Transit

Regional Transit Manager

Regional Transit Manager

Michael Jacobs

Community Econ Development

Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Michael Rivera

GIS

GIS Regional Project Manager

GIS Regional Project Manager

Mykaela Brown

Planning

Planner

Nancy Cherubini

Workforce Development

Program Assistant

Program Assistant

Roy Guy

Community Econ Development

Grants Specialist

Grants Specialist

Sabrina Boatright

Area Agency on Aging

Screening Specialist

Screening Specialist

Sabrina Carver

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor

Savannah Bennett

Workforce Development

Business Services Program Coordinator

Business Services Program Coordinator

Shawn Taylor

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Program Manager

ADRC Program Manager

Susan Bowen

Area Agency on Aging

ARDC Counselor

ARDC Counselor

Tasha Bell

Workforce Development

Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Tiffany Lasecki

Lending

Assistant Loan Officer

Assistant Loan Officer

Torrence Weaver

Regional Transit

Planner

Tyler Hayes

Area Agency on Aging

ADRC Counselor

ADRC Counselor