Definitions

As used in this article, the term: (1) “Department” means the Department of Community Affairs. (2) “Fund” means the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund, a 787 50-8-261 revolving loan fund originating low-interest loans for qualified investments in a downtown district. History. Code 1981, § 50-8-260, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 300, § 1/HB 128. 50-8-261. Short title; establishment; director; application for assistance; fees; rules and regulations. (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund Act.” (b) The Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund is established within the department for the purpose of assisting local governments, downtown development authorities, urban redevelopment authorities, special districts, and nonprofit organizations with financing and technical assistance to encourage economic and small business development, historic preservation, private investment, public improvements, leadership development, training, design assistance, and financing in the effort of improving downtown districts. (c) The commissioner of community affairs shall serve as the director of the fund. (d)(1) Using such funds as may be appropriated, the office may provide assistance to eligible local governments, urban redevelopment authorities, development authorities, or downtown development authorities in the form of technical assistance, loans, loan guarantees, or any combination thereof. (2) Appropriated funds by line item in any appropriations Act for the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund shall be used for project financing and be disbursed through rules and procedures promulgated by the Office of Downtown Development. (3) The initial investment into the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund shall be capped on an annual basis of $5 million per year for up to four years, not to exceed $20 million. (e) The department may apply for, receive, administer, and use any grant, other financial assistance, or other funds made available to the department from any government or other source for furthering the purposes of the fund. (f) Each municipal corporation in this state may make application to the department for assistance in downtown district development. A major criteria to be used in determining the amount of any financial assistance granted by the department from the fund may be the local commitment to the redevelopment of the downtown district. 788 50-8-280 (g) The department shall be authorized to charge reasonable application or service fees to offset administrative costs incurred in the administration of the fund. (h) The department shall be authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this Code section. History. Code 1981, § 50-8-261, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 300, § 1/HB 128. ARTICLE 12 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS FOR ATLANTA URBANIZED AREA AND ATLANTA AIR QUALITY REGION 50-8-280. Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process established; determination of regional air quality planning area; participating governmental units; funding; policy boards; conflict of laws. (a) Contiguous local governments within which lie designated portions of the Atlanta Urbanized Area, as defined in 23 U.S.C. Section 101(a) (37), or air quality nonattainment areas, as identified under the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq., shall participate in a metropolitan transportation planning process through a metropolitan planning organization established by one or more units of government, or through a metropolitan planning process established through their area regional commission. (b) The metropolitan transportation and air quality planning area for each regional commission established pursuant to Code Section 50-8-32 and metropolitan area planning and development commission established pursuant to Code Section 50-8-82 shall be defined by paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of Code Section 50-8-4. (c) Any unit of government that is participating as a limited member of a metropolitan area planning and development commission for transportation purposes and is located outside the planning area defined by paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of Code Section 50-8-4 shall be authorized, on or after July 1, 2015, to designate the local area regional commission to serve as the metropolitan planning organization. (d) Any unit of government that is not participating as a limited member of a metropolitan area planning and development commission for transportation purposes shall continue to perform metropolitan planning in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Section 134. (e) Regional commissions and metropolitan area planning and devel789 50-8-301 opment commissions shall be provided funding by the appropriate state and regional entities to develop a comprehensive transportation and air quality plan for affected local governments within the Atlanta Urbanized Area as defined by the United States Census Bureau and further defined by paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of Code Section 50-8-4. (f) Each regional commission established pursuant to Code Section 50-8-32 and metropolitan area planning and development commission established pursuant to Code Section 50-8-82 shall establish a policy board that shall govern the transportation and air quality planning process for all affected areas, approve plans, and have equal voting representation from affected local governments. (g) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of law governing metropolitan planning and development commissions and those governing regional commissions, the laws defined in this Code section shall control and shall govern the metropolitan transportation planning area funding and planning responsibilities. History. Code 1981, § 50-8-280, enacted by Ga. L. 2015, p. 1329, § 9/SB 4. ARTICLE 13 GEORGIA GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL 50-8-300. Definitions.