The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) is a resource for local governments.

2022 GARC Economic Development Conference – May 1-3, 2022

March 23, 2022

The 2022 GARC Economic Development Conference will be held at Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, Georgia (www.lanierislands.com) on May 1-3, 2022. Feel free to distribute this information to Policy Members, Regional Commission staff, and others who may have an interest in attending.

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2017 GARC Annual Training Conference

August 4, 2017

[su_tabs] [su_tab title=”Welcome”] Dear Friend: On behalf of the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC), we cordially invite you to the annual GARC Training Conference.  The Conference will be held at the King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island, November 8th – 10th, 2017, with registration beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8th. This year’s program promises to be the most outstanding ever, as we continue to receive commitments from dignitaries who have agreed to participate. The fee for this year’s Conference will be $320 per person, which includes drink tickets for the opening reception on Wednesday evening; breakfast and lunch on Thursday; and breakfast on Friday morning. Spouse/guest registration is available for $125.00 per person, which includes all of the aforementioned meals and reception. You may access the registration form today on-line, or by returning the attached form with your registration fee to River Valley Regional Commission, Post Office Box 1908, Columbus Georgia 31902. Please make your check payable to:  Georgia Association of Regional Commissions. A block of hotel rooms is set aside at the King and Prince Resort, but you are responsible for making your own room reservation. You may call the King and Prince at 1-800-342-0212 for room reservations. Please state that you will be attending the GARC Training Conference to receive the discounted room rate of $174.00. This year we are unable to include a golf tournament in the GARC festivities. However, golf is still available if you are interested. Please contact the King and Prince at (912) 634-0255 for tee times and other information. We are also seeking sponsors and exhibitors for our conference. The sponsorship fee is $300.  If a sponsor desires to attend the conference, he/she may do so at the reduced registration fee of $225. GARC will recognize sponsors in its printed program and individually at specific events from the podium. The fee for each exhibitor is $725. This includes a standard six-foot table with a white tablecloth and skirting, recognition in the printed program, and one registration with tickets to all events. Access to power can be arranged upon advanced request. The GARC is an organization representing all 12 of Georgia’s Regional Commissions, including the Atlanta Regional Commission. We will have a statewide audience of approximately 250 attendees, which will be composed of RC board members, who are primarily city and county elected officials, RC staff, and many other community and state leaders interested in state and regional development and planning. Your participation is very important to us, and we hope you will be able to join your many friends at our Annual GARC Training Conference this fall. Sincerely,         [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”Date/Location”] November 8-10, 2017 King and Prince Hotel 201 Arnold Road St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522 Contact: 1(800) 342-0212 or 1 (912) 638-3631 [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”Agenda”] Click to view/download full conference agenda.   [/su_tab] [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”GIS Session”] Click to view/download full conference agenda.   [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”Registration”] Click to view/download the conference registration form. [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”Exhibitors/Sponsors”] Dear Friend: The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) cordially invites you to participate as an Exhibitor […]

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Georgia Association wins National Award for Creation of State Geospatial Information Office

February 7, 2017

The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) has received a National Excellence Award from the National States Geospatial Information Council (NSGIC) for their Outstanding Efforts to create a Geospatial Information Office for Georgia.  The Georgia Geospatial Information Office (http://gio.ga.gov/) is housed at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).  The award was presented to James Dove, President of GARC; Allen Burns, Vice President of GARC; Brent Lanford, Deputy Director of MGRC; and Hunter Key, GIS Manager for CRC. NSGIC promotes geospatial coordination activities in all states and acts as an advocate for states on national geospatial policy and initiatives, in support of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The organization is committed to efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption of geospatial information technologies. While providing a unified voice on geographic information and technology issues, advocating and supporting State interests. NSGIC is particularly focused on the creation of intelligent maps and databases that enable public and private decision makers to make informed and timely decisions in a wide array of governmental areas. Geospatial technology can affect diverse fields including: Homeland Security; Emergency Response and Management; Economic Development; Environmental Protection and Management; Education; Transportation Planning; and Natural Resource Management. GIS and geospatial data have become primary tools in government and the private sector because they provide visual, integrated, intelligent, analytical, and cost-effective solutions in support of a wide range of disciplines. In addition, GIS can reduce or eliminate redundant work within and between units of government, providing operational efficiencies and economies of scale in data collection, information handling and distribution. ###  About the Geospatial Information Office The Georgia Geospatial Information Office (GIO) was established in 2015 through an innovative initiative by the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions in conjunction with a variety of statewide partners.  The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provides office space and administrative support for the GIO.  The mission of the GIO is to coordinate and partner with local governments, State and Federal agencies to ensure the quality and availability of geospatial data to support statewide initiatives in community and economic development, transportation planning, emergency preparedness and environmental protection.  About the Georgia Department of Community Affairs The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses through community and economic development, local government assistance, and safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal resources, DCA helps communities spur private job creation, implement planning, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions, and promote volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified low- and moderate-income Georgians buy homes, rent housing, and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. For more information, visit www.dca.ga.gov.  CONTACT:           Susan Miller, State Geospatial Information Officer 404-599-0631 susan.miller@gio.ga.gov

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