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

NOTICE: GARC Economic Development Conference registration

March 14, 2024

2024 GARC Economic Development Conference – Click HERE to register This year’s conference will be held May 5-7, 2024 at the Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort located at 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518. This conference is a unique training opportunity for Regional Commission staff and policy members; it may also be beneficial for other partners.   Please share this information on registration, sponsorships, hotel accommodations and speakers with others as needed.  The GARC Economic and Community Development Committee is hard at work planning a robust agenda with notable speakers, conference sessions, and evening events. Please check back to the GARC website  for conference updates including the agenda (when available).  All Regional Commissions are responsible for at least three registrations.  Payment for three registrations will be required regardless of attendance at the conference. The Board of Directors will have a planning session on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2pm. Registration Costs: FULL REGISTRATION – $350.00 per person Full registration includes all conference sessions, receptions, meals and breaks. SPOUSE/GUEST REGISTRATION – $250.00 per person The Spouse/Guest rate is for a guest accompanying any registered attendee and includes all conference sessions, receptions, meals and breaks. MONDAY ONLY REGISTRATION- $175.00 per person  Monday Only registration includes breakfast, lunch and breaks on Monday.  It does not include the reception or dinner. *Upon receipt of this Registration Form, the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission will send an invoice for payment. * *Any cancellations for conference registration must be received by April 25, 2024, to receive a refund (minus a $50.00 administrative fee).  Cancellations received after April 25, 2024, will not be eligible for a refund. * Hotel Reservations: A block of hotel rooms (Reference GARC Economic Development Conference) is reserved at Lake Lanier Islands Resort with a GARC Conference rate of $179.00 plus a $20.00 resort fee and applicable taxes (13%). Room reservations can be made online at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort website, by calling 1-800-840-5253, or by emailing reservations@lanierislands.com before April 4, 2024 Speakers: Speakers who exclusively participate in their session will incur no charges and are invited to partake in refreshments throughout their presentation. Speakers who wish to attend the entire day or conference are invited to register at the appropriate level.  Speakers are also requested to provide their bio on the registration portal.   Sponsorship Opportunities: There are three $750 sponsorship opportunities:  Sunday night reception, Monday lunch, and Monday night reception.   Sponsors will have the opportunity to speak briefly at the sponsored event.  Interested sponsors can complete the Select Sponsor on the online registration form.  Upon receipt of the Sponsorship Form, the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission will send an invoice to the Sponsor for payment.  Sponsorship deadline is April 15, 2024. Sponsors are also requested to provide their logo on the registration portal.   FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  please contact Laura Mathis (GARC President) or Jim Livingston (GARC Conference Committee Chair) To register, click HERE.

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NOTICE: upcoming Community Faciliator Training

March 7, 2024

GARC-Fanning Institute will be conducting a ‘Community Faciliator Training‘. This 4-day series is designed for Regional Commission staff who facilitate community-based meetings with varied stakeholders. Dates:  April 22, April 23, May 13, May 14 (4 days) Time:  Each training day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Location:  Training will be held at Middle Georgia Regional Commission office located at 175 Emery Highway, Suite C, Macon, GA in the Nix Conference Room. Cost: $500 per person for 4 days. Registration cost includes breakfast, lunch, & snacks. HOGARC will invoice directly upon registration submission Please limit 3 attendees from each Regional Commission.  More slots may become available if an RC does not use their 3 attendee limitation. You can register online HERE.

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NOTICE: GARC Conference Registration

August 24, 2023

On behalf of the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC), we cordially invite you to the 23rd Annual GARC Training Conference. The Conference will be held at the King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island, November 8-10, 2023, with sessions beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 and ending on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. GARC represents all 12 of Georgia’s Regional Commissions. We will have a statewide audience of approximately 250 attendees, which will include Regional Commission council members from across the state, Regional Commission and state agency staff, and many other community and corporate leaders interested in state and regional development and planning. Our conference presents a great opportunity to network with peers, share best practices and learn from practical workshops and sessions led by state leadership and subject matter experts. Click on the links below to Registration or view the Agenda: Registration Agenda

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NOTICE: GARC Annexation HUB

May 3, 2023

The GARC Annexation HUB was deployed April 26, 2023 and will be used by local governments to request GIS assistance for their Annexation and Deannexation Reporting. Georgia House Bill 1385 requires all local governments that annex or deannex property after July 1, 2022 to submit a digital GIS file of the parcels to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Office of Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment. Communities that do not have GIS capabilities can request assistance from its district Regional Commission. Please be aware that, as a result of this new legislation, statute now provides that no annexed area shall be added to the state map until such report has been properly submitted. GARC Annexation Brochure GARC ED Annexation HUB Presentation         

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NOTICE: NWGRC seeking Community and Economic Development Representative, in the Planning and Economic Development Department (FILLED)

February 15, 2023

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission also seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Community and Economic Development Representative, in the Planning and Economic Development Department. To apply, please visit www.nwgrc.org to review Employment Opportunities and to download the employment application, found at the bottom of the main page. Please submit the completed application with resume and cover letter to acarden@nwgrc.org.  Applications will be received until a suitable applicant is found.

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NOTICE: NWGRC seeking Assistant Planning Director in the Planning and Economic Development Department (FILLED)

February 15, 2023

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (www.nwgrc.org)  seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Assistant Planning Director in the Planning and Economic Development Department. To apply, please visit www.nwgrc.org to review Employment Opportunities and to download the employment application, found at the bottom of the main page. Please submit the completed application with resume and cover letter to acarden@nwgrc.org.  Applications will be received until a suitable applicant is found.

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Annual GARC Training Conference – Nov. 2-4, 2022

July 26, 2022

On behalf of the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC), we cordially invite you to the 22nd Annual GARC Training Conference.

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NOTICE: Historic Macon Foundation is seeking GIS intern

April 6, 2022

The Historic Macon Foundation (HMF) has a GIS intership opportunity.  The application deadline is April 22, 2022. For more information, click HERE.

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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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