reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 50-8-122 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 5 - Rural Economic Development|§ 50-8-122. Studies for Proposed Projects

  The regional commission of each rural economic development area provided for in Code Section 50-8-121 may conduct a study for proposed major economic development projects within its respective rural economic development area. The study shall utilize the most recent economic information available.   The proposed economic development projects must have a major impact on the economy of the area and particularly on the counties within each such area which have a per capita income of less than 70 percent of the United States average or a level of unemployment which is 35 percent or more higher than the state average.   Funds for studies provided for in this Code section shall come from funds appropriated to the Department of Community Affairs specifically for such purpose. The department, in consultation with state agencies, local governments, regional commissions, local development organizations, and others, shall establish guidelines for the distribution of funds to carry out the studies provided for in this Code section and shall establish guidelines for the preparation of economic development project studies. Such guidelines shall be approved by the Board of Community Affairs.     (Code 1981, §50-8-122, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 1142, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1317, § 6.25; Ga. L. 2008, p. 181, §§ 18, 24/HB 1216.)
GA Code § 50-8-123 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 5 - Rural Economic Development|§ 50-8-123. Recommendation, Approval, Funding, and Implementation of Projects

  Each rural economic development area may submit to the Department of Community Affairs proposed economic development projects by January 1, 1989. All proposed projects shall be endorsed by the appropriate local government and shall be evaluated for funding based upon rating and selection criteria prepared by the department in consultation with state agencies, local governments, regional commissions, local development organizations, and others. Such criteria shall be approved by the Board of Community Affairs.   The department shall be authorized to expend funds available to the department under subsection (c) of this Code section to assist in the implementation of projects approved under the procedures outlined in this Code section. In carrying out the intent of this Code section, the Department of Community Affairs, state agencies, regional commissions, local governments, local development organizations, and other agencies or organizations receiving funding from the department are authorized to incorporate other public or private funds into project budgets needed to assure the feasibility of proposed economic development projects authorized under this article.   The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section shall come from funds appropriated to the Department of Community Affairs specifically for such purpose.     (Code 1981, §50-8-123, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 1142, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1317, § 6.26; Ga. L. 2008, p. 181, § 24/HB 1216.)
GA Code § 50-8-190 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 8 - Regional Economic Assistance Projects|§ 50-8-190. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Adjacent facility" means any facility adjoining a project that meets the requirements of a subparagraph of paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 50-8-191 which is not met by the project and that is the subject of a reciprocal use agreement executed by the project developer and the owner or operator of the adjacent facility.   "Certification of compliance" means a determination by the commissioner that the project meets all criteria to be designated a REAP.   "Commissioner" means the commissioner of community affairs.   "Full-service restaurant" means a restaurant which regularly serves two or more meals on each day it is open for business and is open for business at least six days weekly.   "Notice of noncompliance" means a notice from the commissioner that the Department of Community Affairs has determined that the project has failed to comply with all requirements for designation as a REAP.   "Regional Economic Assistance Project" or "REAP" means a project, including any adjacent facility covered by a reciprocal use agreement, which meets the criteria specified in Code Section 50-8-191 and which receives a certification of compliance from the commissioner.     (Code 1981, §50-8-190, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 1206, § 2.)
GA Code § 50-8-192 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 8 - Regional Economic Assistance Projects|§ 50-8-192. Certification of Compliance; Notices of Noncompliance

  Upon submission of a project after approval by the local government or governments, the Department of Community Affairs shall determine whether the project meets the criteria set out in Code Section 50-8-191 for designation as a REAP and complies with any rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Community Affairs to implement this article. If the project meets such criteria and complies with such rules, the commissioner shall issue a certification of compliance. If the project does not meet such criteria and comply with such rules, the commissioner shall issue a notice of noncompliance.   Each certification of compliance shall include a summary of the project's expected economic benefits for the short term and the long term and any recommendations for adjustment of the project based upon local land use and comprehensive plans and infrastructure needs.   Each notice of noncompliance shall include a list of deficiencies of the project. A developer of a project which has received a notice of noncompliance may resubmit an initial application for designation as a REAP to the local government or governments involved; such a resubmitted application shall include a copy of the notice of noncompliance and a detailed explanation of the project modifications designed to remedy the deficiencies.     (Code 1981, §50-8-192, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 1206, § 2.)
GA Code § 50-8-193 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 8 - Regional Economic Assistance Projects|§ 50-8-193. State Agencies Encouraged to Give Certified Projects Priority in Licensing and Processing Grants and Loans

 The Department of Community Affairs shall certify that a project has received a certificate of compliance as a REAP to the Department of Natural Resources; the Department of Economic Development; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Revenue; the Department of Labor; the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; and any other state department, agency, or instrumentality which requests such certification. All state agencies, departments, and instrumentalities are encouraged to give priority in their permitting and licensing and in the processing of grants and loans to local governments for projects which have received a certification.    (Code 1981, §50-8-193, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 1206, § 2; Ga. L. 2004, p. 690, § 40; Ga. L. 2008, p. 363, § 3/HB 1280; Ga. L. 2010, p. 949, § 1/HB 244.)
GA Code § 50-8-194 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 8 - Regional Economic Assistance Projects|§ 50-8-194. Annual Report by Project Developer

 For each project that has received a certification of compliance, the project developer shall submit an annual report to the Department of Community Affairs until the date planned for completion of all phases of the project. The developer's report shall include a statement regarding the status of private investment, job creation, and construction schedules. The report shall also include information regarding the impact of the project on the local tax base, land use control, and the local government infrastructure for water, sewer, and transportation.    (Code 1981, §50-8-194, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 1206, § 2.)
GA Code § 50-8-195 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 8 - Regional Economic Assistance Projects|§ 50-8-195. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations

 The Department of Community Affairs is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this article.    (Code 1981, §50-8-195, enacted by Ga. L. 1999, p. 1206, § 2.)
GA Code § 50-8-210 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-210. Short Title

 This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Rural Facilities Economic Development Act."    (Code 1981, §50-8-210, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-211 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-211. Legislative Findings

 The General Assembly finds that in recent years rural Georgia has undergone a severe economic recession. It is evident that an investment in the economic situation of the state's most distressed counties would result not only in an improvement in the quality of life for the citizens of those counties but also in the economic health of the entire state by increasing the state's total economic growth.There is a serious need in those less developed counties for jobs and for many fundamental community facilities which are essential to an improved quality of life and an equal opportunity for economic development.The facilities needs of each less developed county are individually specific and the citizens of each such community will as a part of the growth strategies program determine which needs are of most importance and worth to their community.Those economically distressed counties in many cases have exhausted all available funding resources in an attempt to help themselves but still do not have the economic ability to supply their facilities needs without substantial assistance from the state.It is therefore essential that the General Assembly provide funding assistance to make possible the construction of such facilities as each county may determine necessary, based on need, priorities, merit, and planning, to improve the quality of life and economic development in the most economically distressed counties of this state.    (Code 1981, §50-8-211, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-212 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-212. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Board" means the Board of Community Affairs.   "Commissioner" means the commissioner of community affairs.   "Comprehensive plan" means any plan by a county or municipality relating to the facilities needs of such county or municipality proposed or prepared pursuant to the minimum standards and procedures for preparation of comprehensive plans and for implementation of comprehensive plans established by the department in accordance with Article 1 of this chapter.   "Conflict" means any conflict, dispute, or inconsistency relating to a local plan or to the priority of the facilities needs in a local plan arising within a facilities development committee created pursuant to this article.   "Department" means the Department of Community Affairs.   "Facility" or "facilities" means a capital improvement designed to assist the less developed county in economic development including, but not limited to, the areas of transportation networks; water supply and treatment, sewer, waste-water treatment, and solid waste disposal facilities; public safety, fire protection, and emergency medical services; recreational, general government, and educational facilities; and libraries and other cultural structures.   "Less developed county" means any county designated pursuant to Code Section 50-8-213.Any area so designated shall, for the purposes of this article, be considered a less developed area for a period of not less than ten years.   "Local plan" means the plan of any less developed county and the municipalities lying therein which plan consolidates and prioritizes the facilities needs contained in the various comprehensive plans of the less developed county and the municipalities lying therein.   "Regional commission" means a regional commission created pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 of this chapter.     (Code 1981, §50-8-212, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1; Ga. L. 2008, p. 181, § 18/HB 1216.)
GA Code § 50-8-213 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-213. Designation and Ranking of Less Developed Counties

  Not later than July 1, 1992, using the most current data available from the Department of Labor and the United States Department of Commerce, the commissioner shall rank and designate as less developed counties the lower 25 percent of all counties in this state using a combination of the following factors:   Highest unemployment rate for the most recent 36 month period;   Lowest per capita income for the most recent 36 month period;   Highest percentage of residents whose income is below the poverty level according to the most recent data available; and   Average weekly manufacturing wage according to the most recent data available.     The commissioner shall be authorized to include in the designation provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section any county which, in the opinion of the commissioner of community affairs, undergoes a sudden and severe period of economic distress caused by the closing of one or more business enterprises located in such county. No designation made pursuant to this subsection shall operate to displace or remove any other county previously designated as a less developed area.     (Code 1981, §50-8-213, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-214 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-214. Membership of Facilities Development Committee

  There is created in each less developed county a facilities development committee to be composed as follows:   Three members appointed by the governing authority of the less developed county, one who is a member of such authority, and one who is from the private sector, and one who may but need not serve in the county government who shall serve as chairman of the committee; and   Two members appointed by the governing authority of each municipality lying within the less developed county, one who is a member of such authority and one who is from the private sector.     All members shall reside within the less developed county or the municipality from which they are appointed and shall serve without compensation.   Members shall serve terms of four years and may be reappointed.     (Code 1981, §50-8-214, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-215 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-215. Policies and Procedures for Facilities Development Committee

  Each facilities development committee shall be known by the name of the county followed by the words "Facilities Development Committee."   The commissioner shall establish policies and procedures by rule or regulation for the facilities development committees necessary for said committees to perform the duties provided by this article.   Each regional commission within which a less developed county lies is authorized and directed to assist the facilities development committee in the development of a local plan.     (Code 1981, §50-8-215, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1; Ga. L. 2008, p. 181, § 18/HB 1216.)
GA Code § 50-8-216 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-216. Preparation of Comprehensive Local Plan for Less Developed County

  Each facilities development committee, in conjunction with the regional commission in which the less developed county is located, shall review the comprehensive plans for facilities needs prepared by the less developed county and each municipality lying therein pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 of this chapter and shall consolidate such comprehensive plans and prepare a local plan which prioritizes the combined facilities needs contained in each comprehensive plan.Such local plan may be amended from time to time pursuant to procedures established pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 50-8-215 to change the priorities or add new facilities. No facility shall be added to a local plan unless it has previously been made a part of the comprehensive plan of either the less developed county or a municipality lying therein pursuant to Article 2 of this chapter.   Not later than the first day of July of the year following its creation, each facilities development committee shall provide the commissioner with the local plan of facility development developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section.     (Code 1981, §50-8-216, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1; Ga. L. 2008, p. 181, § 18/HB 1216.)
GA Code § 50-8-217 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-217. Conflicts Arising in Preparation and Submission of Local Plan

 In the event any conflict arises in or with the facilities development committee in the preparation and submission of a local plan, such conflict shall be resolved by the department in the manner provided by subsection (d) of Code Section 50-8-7.1.    (Code 1981, §50-8-217, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-218 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-218. Submission of Local Plan Required; Applications for Grants

 No less developed county shall be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to this article until a local plan has been submitted.The commissioner shall provide by rule or regulation for the submission of local plans and the administration of grant applications and shall establish criteria for the types of facilities which would qualify for a grant under this article; provided, however, that such criteria shall realistically reflect the diverse facility needs of the various less developed counties for economic development.The commissioner shall submit such criteria to the General Assembly at the next regular session following July 1, 1991, and such criteria shall become effective only when ratified by joint resolution of the General Assembly. The power of the commissioner to promulgate such criteria shall be deemed to be dependent upon such ratification.    (Code 1981, §50-8-218, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-219 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-219. Review of Local Plan by Commissioner

  The commissioner shall review each plan to determine compliance with the criteria established pursuant to Code Section 50-8-218 and within 30 days from the date of submission of the plan shall approve or disapprove such plan. If the commissioner disapproves any plan, he shall provide a detailed reason for such recommendation and may suggest such changes to the plan as he deems appropriate.   Any county may apply to the board for review of a disapproved plan. The board shall review each such plan and, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the commissioner's recommendation, shall either approve or disapprove the plan. If the plan is disapproved, the board shall provide the facilities development committee with a detailed reason for such disapproval and may suggest such changes to the plan as would result in the approval of the plan.     (Code 1981, §50-8-219, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-220 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-220. Matching Grants for Implementation of Local Plan

  Each less developed countyshall be entitled to receive from the state matching grants in an equal amount pursuant to this article for the implementation of all or part of its local plan of facilities development as approved by the board in the order of priority as established in its local plan, subject to the provisions of Code Section 50-8-222 and subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for such grants.   The governing authority of the less developed county shall be responsible for receiving such funds, which it shall maintain separate from all other county funds, and shall be responsible for implementing the plan of development.   The governing authority of the less developed countyshall be authorized to perform all functions necessary to implement the local plan of facilities development including, without limitation, purchasing or leasing property and entering into such contracts as may be necessary for such purpose.   The funds granted pursuant to this Code section may be used as received or in conjunction with funds from any other available source, and they may be used in conjunction with any leasing authority granted to the less developed county or in conjunction with any revolving loan fund, or both, and may be used as matching funds for any federal or state grant.     (Code 1981, §50-8-220, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-221 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-221. Oversight of Local Plan by Facilities Development Committee

 Each facilities development committee shall have oversight authority of each local plan of facilities development, and the governing authority of the less developed county shall submit annually to the department a detailed written progress report and full accounting of receipts and expenditures.    (Code 1981, §50-8-221, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)
GA Code § 50-8-222 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 50 - State Government|Chapter 8 - Department of Community Affairs|Article 9 - Rural Facilities Economic Development|§ 50-8-222. Distribution of Appropriated Funds; Ratio of Matching Funds; Submission of Consolidated Report and Accounting

  The department shall direct the distribution of any appropriated funds to the governing authority of the less developed county, as provided in Code Section 50-8-220; provided, however, that the less developed county and the municipalities within the less developed counties shall annually match any appropriated funds in a ratio of $1.00 local funds for every $9.00 appropriated funds.   The commissioner shall consolidate the annual progress reports and accounting of funds submitted by the facilities development committees and submit a consolidated report and accounting to the General Assembly not later than December 31 of each year.     (Code 1981, §50-8-222, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1712, § 1.)