Fourteen Georgia communities have been selected for the PlanFirst designation by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for the 2026-2028 program cycle. The newly designated communities are Brookhaven, Brunswick, Bryan County, Cedartown, Cochran, Covington, Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville, Oconee County, Sugar Hill, and Woodstock.
According to the DCA, these local governments have been recognized for their efforts in community engagement and implementing Local Comprehensive Plans. “The PlanFirst designation brings significant recognition and rewards, including eligibility for a package of incentives,” the department stated.
Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, and Gwinnett County have each achieved PlanFirst status four times.
To be eligible for this designation, communities must maintain Qualified Local Government status. They are also required to have an approved Service Delivery Strategy and stay current on all reports to the DCA. These include Government Management Indicators and financial reports. Additionally, they must meet Minimum Performance Standards set by their regional commission.
Communities applying for PlanFirst must address four key criteria: goals, leadership, community engagement, and implementation.
The designation lasts three years starting January 1, 2026. Designated communities receive statewide recognition and can access incentives such as bonus points on Housing Tax Credit applications and reduced interest loans. They are also eligible annually for Community Development Block Grants. Other benefits include bonus points on various DCA programs like the Redevelopment Fund and Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP), Employment Incentive Program, or Downtown Revolving Loan Fund.
For more information about PlanFirst and its incentives offered by the DCA to support local governments in planning efforts across Georgia communities can be found on the department’s website.
