The OneGeorgia Authority held its quarterly board meet-ing on December 7, 2009 in Thomasville, Georgia. At that award ceremony, Governor Perdue announced awards across the state including four in the area. RVRC staff were actively involved in the development of three of these awards.

The Randolph County Devel-opment Authority received a

$500,000 loan f r o m t h e OneGeorgia Au-thority. This loan will be used by A.G. Daniels C o m p a n y (formerly known as AgPro Indus-tries) in the start-up of their cotton gin reclamation business. This project will cre-ate 70 jobs with a private

investment of over $5 mil-lion.

The City of Vienna re-ceived a grant of $500,000 as part of a major effort to upgrade the city’s sewer system. The sub recipient for this grant

is Tyson Foods located in Vienna. This project will re-tain 600 jobs with a private investment of $5 million. Sumter, Crisp and Dooly Counties were a co-applicant on this project.

Story continued on Page 3

RE G I O N RE C E I V E S AWA R D S FRO M ON EGE O RG I A AU T H O R I T Y

December, 2009

•

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Christmas in the Valley

2

Georgia for a Lifetime

3

WIA Success Story 4

Medicare Part D 4

Staff Spotlight 5

TMDL Update 5

Regionally Important Resources Map

6-7

2010 Census 8

Macon County Housing Rehabilitation Program

8

Cordele Intermodal Facility

9

Staff Achieves Certification

10

International Walk to School Day

11

NEWS IN THE VALLEY

F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S D E S K :

The Holiday Season is upon us which makes us all take time to count our blessings.

At the River Valley Regional Commission we are thankful for our staff of dedicated pro-fessionals who consistently go the extra mile. We are also

thankful for the elected offi-cials in all sixteen counties for their hard work and commit-ment. The newly formed Re-gional Council has worked hard to provide leadership for the Regional Commission and we appreciate all that they do.

I encourage you to take time to count your blessings. We all have much to be grateful for, even in these difficult economic times.

My wish for you this season is a safe and happy holiday.

Pictured: Albert Glass Jr. (A.G. Daniels Co.), Katie Howard, (RVRC), Paul Langford, (Randolph County Development Authority), Sonny Perdue, Albert Glass, III (A. G. Daniels Co.), Patti Cullen (RVRC), Robert Wiltse (Land of Lakes Purina)

Pictured: Andrea Brooks (Sumter County Commis-sioner), Eddie Daniels (Vienna Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman), Gail Bembry (Vienna City Administrator and Clerk), Gov. Sonny Perdue, Buddy Strength (RVRC), Emerson Lundy (Mayor), Sen. George Hooks, Patricia Cullen (RVRC)

Season’s Greeting!

Each issue of News in the Valley a different develop-ment authority will be spot-lighted. These volunteers and paid staff provide critical ser-vices to existing businesses as well as working to recruit new businesses to the region. This month Cordele-Crisp County is the featured Devel-opment Authority.

Cordele’s industrial parks are booming. Bruce C. Drennan, Executive Director of the Cor-dele-Crisp Industrial Develop-ment Council, attributes Cor-dele’s success to two key elements: A strategic plan and being designated a fed-eral empowerment zone. The Cordele-Crisp County Industrial Development Coun-

cil is a strong Economic De-velopment Engine in Crisp County. Bruce Drennan, Ex-ecutive Director of the Cor-dele-Crisp County Industrial Development Council (IDC), has been an aggressive and effective economic tool for the region and State of Geor-gia. He worked efficiently to bring new jobs and private investment to the region while effectively retaining and ex-panding local businesses. One example of his success is Crisp Power’s number one customer for electricity, Cor-dele’s Norbord Inc., a Canada-based manufacturer of ori-ented strand board used in roofing and a tongue-and-groove flooring material, both used in the construction of residences. Norbord finished

a $135 million expansion of its Cordele plant earlier this year, essentially doubling its floor space and adding 120 workers to bring total employ-ment to about 250. The ex-pansion came as Norbord was shutting down two other locations in the South, mak-ing the company’s growth here especially significant. The IDC was founded in 1987 by the City of Cordele, Crisp County Board of Commission-ers, and Crisp County Power Commission to promote, de-velop, and expand industry, agriculture, trade, and com-merce for the citizens of Cor-dele / Crisp County, Georgia.

Dooly County; Secretary Clin-ton Perry, Commissioner Tay-lor County; Councilor Eloise Paschal, Americus City Coun-cil, Walt Rosso, Chair Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, Harry Lange, Chair Harris County Board of Commissioners, and Andrea Brooks, Sumter County Board of Commission-ers. RVRC staff members attending were Patti Cullen,

On November 4-6, 2009 the Georgia Association of Re-gional Commissions held its 11th Annual Training Confer-ence at St. Simmons Island. The River Valley Regional Commission was well repre-sented by both staff and Council members. Council members attending included Chair Wayne Anthony, Colum-bus City Councilor; Vice Chair Terrell Hudson, Commissioner

Gerald Mixon, Rick Morris, Tif-fany Ingram, Allison Slocum and Tina Rust. The conference was attended by 300 plus peo-ple throughout the state. High-lights of the conference in-cluded presentations by Vance Smith, GDOT Commissioner; Mike Beatty, DCA Commis-sioner; Jerry Griffin, ACCG Di-rector; Lamar Norton, GMA Legislative Director and several state legislators. The 2010 conference will be held Novem-

Page 2

C H R I S T M A S I N T H E V A L L E Y

C O R D E L E -C R I S P C O U N T Y I N D U S T R I A L D E V E L O P M E N T A U T H O R I T Y

G E O R G I A A S S O C I A T I O N O F R E G I O N A L C O M M I S S I O N S A N N UA L C O N F E R E N C E

food, good company, and good music. There were 12 grandparents in attendance for this joyous event. The morning started off with ver-bally honoring the grandpar-ents for their hard work and dedication to their families and our Kinship Care Pro-

gram. Throughout the morn-ing homemade desserts were enjoyed and attendees drew names for door prizes. The celebration ended with a Kinship Care Program family picture. Happy Holidays to all!

On December 10, 2009 the Kinship Care Program in Stewart County, which consists of grandparents rais-ing grandchildren, celebrated Christ-mas time with good

Stewart County

Kinship Care Group

News In The Val ley

Georgia for a Lifetime is an initiative of the Georgia Coun-cil on Aging. Georgia, like most parts of the country and the world, is experiencing a dramatic shift in its popula-tion. In 2008, the Georgia General Assembly asked the Georgia Council on Aging to study the effects of this im-pending population shift on state and local governments, private and non-profit organi-zations and to make recom-mendations for both short-and long-term actions. The report and the recommenda-tions were presented in Macon on December 1, 2009. It is broken down into five distinct sections: Housing,

Transportation, Civic Engagement, Health and Economic Self-Sufficiency. Expert panelists discussed what is being done in Georgia. These in-cluded: Charles Kraut-ler, Executive Director of Atlanta Regional Commission, Donnie Henriques, Mayor of Woodstock, and Wal-ter Coffie, President and CEO of Aging Ser-vices of Georgia.

gram. Toward this goal, the RVRC does not intend to com-pete with local lending institu-tions or to act as a venture capitalist. Rather, by provid-ing financial assistance to development opportunities, the Revolving Loan Fund will bridge the financial gap that exists between the amount private lending institutions are willing to commit for pro-ject development and the total amount needed to bring

The River Valley Regional Commission has money to lend from its’ EDA Revolving Loan Fund. The fund was established by the RVRC and the U.S. Department of Com-merce, Economic Develop-ment Administration to en-courage new or expanded private businesses.

The creation and retention of quality jobs serves as the main objective of the pro-

opportunities to completion.

The purpose of the RLF is to support business activities for which credit is not otherwise available on terms and condi-tions which would permit com-petition and/or the successful operation of the project. For more information contact Shel-ley Montgomery in the Colum-bus office or Sarah Walls in the Americus Office.

Page 3

GE O RG I A F O R A LI F E T I M E

B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T L O A N S A R E A V A I L A B L E

bridges, and can impact the political landscape by chang-ing boundaries for State and Federal elected officials.

Being counted is the first step towards making a difference in your community. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that they count but they can only be counted if they fill out the survey. It will be coming out soon.

Undercounted communities are under-funded communi-ties. The survey is only 10 questions so it doesn’t take much time.

Take the first step towards making your community bet-ter by being counted and helping others in your com-munity be counted.

It is up to you!

What does the 2010 Census mean to the average person? It can mean more money for education in their community, improvements in roads and

A representative from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s office discusses the recommendations with Katheryn Fowler, GA COAGE Executive Director and Walter Coffie, President of Aging Services of Geor-gia

Businesses located in the following counties are eligible to apply for RLF funds:

Talbot

Taylor

Chattahoochee

Marion

Stewart

Quitman

Randolph

Clay

Sumter

Dooly

Crisp

Webster

Macon

Schley

RVRC Bicycle and Pe-destrian staff visited Flournoy Development during their employee Health Fair. At this fair, RVRC staff promoted the Bike to Work Day event, which is sched-uled to take place on Friday, May 22, 2010. Also, health and safety information as well as inner city cycling maps

were handed out to partici-pants. If your organization is hosting a health and fitness event, green fairs, lunch and learns, etc. the RVRC would like the opportunity to talk to your employees about riding

their bikes to work and how they can do this safely as well as all the health benefits from engaging in this activity. For more information contact J u l i o P o r t i l l o a t jport i l lo@riverval leyrc.org (706) 256-2910 or visit www.activevalley.org

RVRC Bicycle and Pedestrian staff kicked off their health and safety campaign titled: SAME ROADS, SAME RULES, SAME RIGHTS at the Colum-bus, GA Veterans’ Day Pa-rade. RVRC staff and other community volunteers wore their yellow safety T-shirts to

raise awareness on the impor-tance of sharing the road with cyclists and respecting pedes-trians. This safety campaign will be an ongoing effort to educate motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on the impor-tance of following basic traffic rules and sharing the road with other users. If you or your organization would like to know more about this cam-paign and how the RVRC can help raise awareness for bicy-cle and pedestrian safety within your organization, please contact Julio Portillo at jport i l lo@riverval leyrc.org (706) 256-2910 or visit www.activevalley.org

if they are unhappy with their current plan. Notifications in changes should have been received by all beneficiaries in October. Beneficiaries will be able to make changes to their Medicare health and drug coverage during the open enrollment period, which be-gins on Nov. 15th and ends Dec. 31st.

Prescription drug and health plans change each year, as do each beneficiary's individ-ual coverage needs, so all people with Medicare are

The River Valley GeorgiaCares office is available to assist Medicare beneficiaries with their choices for Plan Year 2010.

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D, or Medicare’s Pre-scription Drug Plan will end Dece mber 31 , 2009. Changes will become effective January 1, 2010. This enroll-ment period is for beneficiar-ies to enroll in a plan, if they have not already done so, and give an opportunity for current beneficiaries to change plans

encouraged to take advantage of the 2010 enhanced online tools and review their coverage options. Changes in premiums and coverage may mean the plan in 2009 is not the best one for 2010.

The 2010 tools will make it easier for beneficiaries and all partners to get the information they need about plan options for the coming year. Beneficiar-ies who wish to enroll for the first time or change their cover-age for 2010 should do so by early December to ensure a

Page 4

W I A S U C C E S S S T O R Y

B I K E A N D P E D E S T R I A N S A F E T Y P R O G R A M U P D A T E

M E D I C A R E P A R T D — O P E N E N R O L L M E N T

youth. Lonniqueka continues to work at Dooly DFCS and is also enrolled in college pursu-ing a Nursing field of study.

Lonniqueka has been an ex-cellent worker under this pro-gram. The worksite Supervi-sor has given Ms. Sutton ex-cellent evaluation ratings on her work skills, attitude and attendance at the worksite.

Staff would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the Dooly County DFCS office for hosting a worksite for these programs. “The program would not be able to sponsor these activities with-out the help from local area agencies to serve as work-sites,” said Janice West, WIA Director.

The Work Experience activity is funded by the Middle Flint Workforce Investment Board and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Lonniqueka Sutton, a Dooly County youth, began working under the WIA Summer Youth Work Experience in June 2009. Lonniqueka was as-signed to work at the Dooly County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) as a clerical assistant. The Work Experience activity was extended through December 2009 for out of school older

Lonniqueka Sutton is

an example of how the Workforce

Investment Program

is at work.

smooth transition in the new plan year.

If you did not sign up for a Medi-care Prescription Drug Plan when you were first eligible, please enroll. There is a penalty of 1% of the monthly premium for every month that you wait to enroll and the penalty is for life. The next enrollment period is November 15, 2010 through December 31, 2010. For more information contact Shameika Averett at 706/256-2910 or saverett @rivervalleyrcaaa.org

RVRC staff and members of the Bike/Pedestrian Committee participated in the Veterans Day Parade in Columbus

News In The Val ley

Tiffany Ingram is the director of the River Valley Area Agency on Aging in Columbus, Georgia. Seven years ago she felt like “life had come full circle” when she accepted this position because her first job out of college was with Family and Children Services working with the elderly and disabled. Prior to AAA she worked as the Executive Di-rector of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development through the Department of Community Affairs in provid-ing leadership classes throughout the state. Prior to that position Tiffany was the director of Economic Develop-

ment for the Lower Chatta-hoochee RDC. She also worked many years in her home county, Talbot, as the Board of Commissioners clerk .

Tiffany has a BS in Social Services from Columbus Col-lege and has completed the Certification for Local Govern-ment Finance Officer through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, UGA.

Janice West has worked for the APDC/RDC/Regional Commission for over 22 years. She began employ-ment in the Job Training de-partment which is now known as Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Services. Janice has

worked in every position within her department prior to becoming the Workforce Di-rector in 2006. Responsibili-ties include the daily opera-tions, planning and service strategy development, and implementation, and program services management of Workforce Investment ser-vices.

Originally from Moultrie, Geor-gia, Janice resides in Ameri-cus with her husband Jimmy and son Tyler. Hobbies in-clude cooking, gardening and reading.

Both Mountain Oak Creek in Harris County and Penna-hatchee Creek in Dooly County will undergo the sec-ond and final year of the plan-ning process in order to re-duce the TMDL (Total Maxi-mum Daily Load) of fecal coli-form present. The RVRC will also begin the first year of a two year plan to mitigate the pollution levels of a stream yet to be determined. Poten-

The River Valley Regional Commission will be complet-ing several Watershed Im-provement Plans throughout 2010. These plans will target impaired watersheds through-out the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins with the intent to mitigate pollution levels in our running waters.

tial parameters to mitigate in-clude high fecal coliform counts, low dissolved oxygen, and pH.

Page 5

O N E G E O R G I A A W A R D S

S TA F F S P O T L I G H T

T M D L

with a private investment of $7,960,648. Dooly, Crisp, and Wilcox Counties were co-applicants.

The Harris County Develop-ment Authority received $1 million in EDGE funds from OneGeorgia to assist in the location of Hoover Universal in the county.

The City of Cordele received a $500,000 OneGeorgia equity loan as part of a major effort to upgrade the city’s streets to recruit business near Inter-state 75 and State Route 300. The beneficiaries of this grant include McDonald’s, Flash Foods, and three (3) other local businesses. This project will create 68 jobs

Mountain Oak Creek

Janice West

Tiffany Ingram

Pictured: Jarrod McCarthy (RVRC), Jeanie Bartee (City of Cordele)), Steve Fulford (City of Cordele), Gov. Sonny Perdue, Edward Beach (City of Cordele), Jean Burnette (City of Cordele), Patti Cullen (RVRC)

Pictured: Becca Hardin (Valley Partnership), Sonny Perdue, Harry Lange (Harris County Commission) and Ken Napier (Harris County Development Authority)

For the past few months the United States Census Bu-reau’s field surveyors have been working on verifying r e s i d e n t i a l a d d r e s s e s throughout the RVRC commu-nities. Some of the ad-d r e s s e s w h i c h t h e RVRC submitted to the USCB last year have been rejected for two reasons: they either were not located and verified during the canvassing proc-

ess or they were not residen-tial addresses. Recently, the USCB has allowed an appeal regarding their decision to reject part of the data. To this effect, the RVRC staff has been working in conjunc-tion with the city and county

governments in obtaining additional supporting docu-mentation verifying the exis-tence of each rejected ad-dress. The initial deadline for the appeal process was ex-tended by an additional 15 days. The extension will give staff enough time to compile additional supporting docu-mentation for the appeal. After the completion of the appeal process for the re-

jected data, the USCB will create a master address list which will be used in any fu-ture population survey and census projects as part of the count form. If for any reason a resident doesn’t receive his or her USCB population count form, the forms can be picked up at several community loca-tions. Locations will be an-nounced. After completion mailed back in the attached, pre-paid envelope. Everyone needs to work to improve the accuracy of the census count within our communities.

onstrates the benefits of considering the undertak-ing of a housing program in a community. The inside of this housing unit was significantly im-proved as well as the outside. The residents now have a decent house to live in. Jarrod McCarthy is the RC grant writer and project admin-istrator for Macon

Macon County uses hous-ing rehabilitation funds available under DCA’s CDBG Grant application process for rehabilitation of housing units. DCA and regional governmental goals are to provide de-cent housing to residents where possible. Before and after photos of the outside of one successful rehabilitated house dem-

County’s Housing Re-habilitation program.

For more information on the Macon County Housing Rehabilitation Program, contact Jar-rod McCarthy at jmccarthy@rivervalleyrc.org or call 229/931-2909.

Page 8

R E G I O N A L I M P O R TA N T R E S O U R C E S P R O J E C T S

H O U S I N G R E H A B I L I TA T I O N P R O G R A M S M A K E A D I F F E R E N C E

A nomination letter has been sent to local government o f f ic ia ls ask ing them to identify any additional valu-able natural and cultural re-sources located within the region. The first draft of the map, showing the current list of RIRs, has been created and includes:

-state parks

-wildlife management areas

-public fishing areas

-historic districts

After the Regional Resource Plan is completed, it will be submitted for review to the Department of Community Affairs and other affected parties before it is formally adopted and implemented by the Regional Commission.

A draft map of RIR is in-cluded in this issue. Please review it and send comments to the Regional Commission.

The RVRC planning staff has begun work on the Re-gional Important Resources (RIRs) project. Following the Department of Community Affairs' specific rules and guidelines, the RC staff will identify RIRs, both natural and cultural, in the

region, develop a plan for their protec-tion and manage-ment and review all activities that may impact RIRs.

Before and after pictures of a house in Macon County that benefited from a CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program.

.

Display at Montezuma Train Depot to encourage participa-tion in the census.

Before

After

News In The Val ley

The River Valley Area Agency on Aging Community Care Services Program provides an alternative to nursing home placement. Services provided include emergency response pendants, care plans with care coordinator social ser-vice workers, RN assess-ments, meals, transportation, respite, homemaker, personal care and many others. Eligibil-ity requirements are both financial and level of care that requires authorization from a doctor. Eligibility starts in our office and our Gateway

screeners can answer all your questions. Call and ask our Gateway staff how you can get help in your home.

Here are some quotes from clients that are receiving CCSP: Seventy three year old male from Marshallville: “I could not stay in my home if I didn’t get services from CCSP, I would be in a nursing home”.

Seventy five year old female from Columbus: “This pro-

gram has helped me stay independent and I can stay in my own house and don’t have to rely on my children to take care of me. I don’t want to go into the nursing home, I am so thankful for this program”.

Sixty four year old female from Columbus: “Without the CCSP services I would be-come a burden to my family. I am able to live independ-ently”.

Page 9

Living at Home, Living Longer, Living Safely, Living Well

The Cordele-Crisp County Industrial Development Council has worked diligently to create economic development opportunities in the city and county. One of their most successful efforts is identified by Bruce Drennen, Executive Director of the Cordele-Crisp County Industrial Development Council, who identifies the project as the "Cordele Intermodal Center." The main attractions for logistics is the convenient rail links and interstate highway access. Three rail lines—CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Georgia Midland Railroad (the line with direct connection to Savannah)—converge in Crisp County.

The project would provide new highway-railroad intermodal service between central and southwest-ern Georgia and the Port of Savannah. The new service would provide an alternative to trucking containers the entire route be-tween Savannah and cities such as Albany and Americus, in addi-tion to Cordele.

Containerized export products could be trucked or rail transferred to the Crisp County terminal where containers would be placed on rail cars and sent to the Savannah Port. In Savannah regional goods would be loaded on ships and distributed to the global market place. Likewise, containerized im-ports would be received and sent by rail car to Cordele for distribu-tion by trucks or rail to designated points. The increased import and export will have a significant impact on the Crisp County region. The Intermodal Center could have a significant economic impact in expected growth of related ser-vices.

Cordele Intermodal Facility

Eryn Dodds and Rochella Wright attended the SE4A (SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIA-TION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING) Conference in Charleston, S.C., Sept 26-30, 2009. While there, they took certification test. Both passed and are now CIRS-A (Certified Information and Referral Spe-cialists-Aging). Kia Morris, Gateway Coordinator, is also certified. AIRS Certification is a profes-sional credentialing program for individuals working within the I&R sector of Human Ser-vices.

Certification is a measure-ment of documented ability in the field of I&R reflecting spe-cific competencies and re-lated performance criteria, which describes the knowl-edge, skills, attitudes and work- re lated behaviors needed by I&R practitioners to successfully execute their duties. The AIRS Certification Program is operated in align-ment with the standards pro-vided by the National Organi-zation for Competency A s s u r a n c e .

Certification is available for three specializations within I&R. Individuals who success-fully pass the AIRS certifica-tion examination are awarded a certificate, lapel pin and may use the following creden-tials after their names:

CIRS — Certification for

I&R Specialists

CIRS-A — Certification for

I&R Specialists in Aging

CRS — Certification for Resource Specialists

tage of the HOPE Grant, which allows qualified Georgia resi-dents to attend South Georgia Technical College practically tuition free. He also found out that as a displaced worker, he was eligible to enroll in the Workforce Invest-ment Act program.

The Law Enforcement Acad-emy is one of the programs supported by the Workforce Investment Act, and with the help of WIA Coordinator Sandhya Muljibhai and WIA Assistant Minnie Williamson, Ariail was able to receive WIA benefits. This helped with books, uniforms, and other educational materials.

“I couldn’t have completed my courses without the WIA pro-gram. WIA gave me financial assistance, motivation for reaching my goal, and coun-seling toward my future ca-reer. I would highly recom-mend WIA to any student who is starting a new career,” said Ariail.

“When we have self-motivated students such as

Dan Ariail, of Americus, is a firm believer that dreams can be-come reality at South Georgia Tech-nical College. He graduated from South Georgia Tech-nical College’s sec-ond Law Enforce-ment Academy Class in October and began his new job as a Sumter

County Civil Deputy in the new Sumter County Courthouse the following Monday morn-ing.

“I was with Mulcoa for ten years and was laid off,” said Ariail. “While I was unem-ployed, I started looking around to see what was avail-able. On the job search you can find hundreds of jobs, but hardly any careers. That’s why I decided to go to South Geor-gia Tech and enroll in the Law Enforcement Academy. This is something that I had thought that I would really enjoy, so I enrolled and I am glad I did.”

Ariail was able to take advan-

Mr. Ariail, we get excited about helping someone like that,” said Muljibhai. “WIA helped Dan purchase his uniforms and school materials.”

Ariail believes that WIA is a valuable program for students to take advantage of. “With WIA, a student has a better chance of achieving the goal of graduation, which is the reason for going to school. I want to thank SGTC’s instructors and staff, with a special thanks to the WIA program, for all that they have done for me,” said Ariail.

The WIA program, in addition to providing funds to pay for sup-plies and materials students may need, also offers counsel-ing and motivation. That moti-vation along with his dream of starting a new career has helped Ariail realize that dreams can become reality.

Ariail resides in Americus with his wife, Sherrie and their four children, Hannah Ariail, 21; Nicholas Ariail, 15; Ciara James, 15; and Zachary James, 12.

For more information about WIA at South Georgia Tech, contact S a n d h y a M u l j i b h a i a t 229.931.2553 or Janice West.

Page 10

STA F F AC H I E V E S CE RT I F I C A T I O N

D R E A M S C A N C O M E T R U E

Dan Ariail, center, is pictured

with SGTC’s WIA staff Minnie

Williamson, left, and Sandhya

Muljibhai, right.

Eryn Dodds

Rochella Wright

News In The Val ley

October 6, 2009 – Chat-tahoochee County Ele-mentary School, recipi-ent of a Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant, continues to dem-onstrate how they pro-mote safe cycling and walking to school by participating in the Inter-national Walk to School Day. This event had the support of local elected officials, Sheriff’s De-partment, Volunteer Fire Department and RVRC staff. The entire student body, along with faculty and staff, walked to school the day of the event.

throughout the United States. EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic develop-ment agenda by promoting innovation and competitive-ness and preparing American regions for economic growth. River Valley’s EDD, with its’ sixteen County members, realize that by sharing a com-mon workforce, a common geography, and a number of common economic factors, their fates are tied together.

In addition to being a newly formed Regional Commission on July 1, 2009, the RC be-came a new Economic Devel-opment District. Economic Development Districts (EDD) are established by the Eco-nomic Development Admini-stration and by Federal Desig-nation. By establishing the Economic Development Dis-tricts, EDA supports the eco-nomic development needs of distressed communities

The River Valley Regional Com-mission is the Administrative Agent for the River Valley EDD. The establishment of the EDD and the production of the plan-ning document known as the CEDS Five Year Plan allows the EDD region to be eligible for Federal EDA grant dollars.

The planning process for the CEDS will begin in January. A group made of up of Regional Council members will serve as

Page 11

I M P R O V E M E N T S I N V I E N N A ’ S W A S T E W A T E R P L A N B E N E F I T

IN T E R NA T I O NA L WA L K TO SC H O O L DAY

E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T D I S T R I C T

Valley Regional Commission, wrote an Immediate Threat and Danger Grant (ITAD) to fund replacement of motive pumps. The city received $41,329.63 from the Depart-ment of Community Affairs and matched it dollar for dol-lar with local funds.

The ITAD funded the replace-

ment of the motive pumps which are a very critical com-ponent in the SBR wastewa-ter treatment process. Vi-enna has also applied for funding from the Economic Development Administration, Employment Incentive Pro-gram and One Georgia Au-thority (funded) to perform other needed improvements.

Vienna has had serious prob-lems with their sewerage treatment facility. These problems have impacted both the residents and Tyson Foods, the largest employer in the county. As part of a $2 million project to make im-provements to the sewerage system Buddy Strength, of the Americus office of the River

Students at

Chattahoochee County

Elementary

School participated

in the International Walk

to School Day.

Tyson facility in Vienna, Georgia

the CEDS committee; how-ever, public input on pro-jects to be listed in the CEDS is critical. If you have any ideas or want to discuss this further, con-tact Kay Hagler at the Americus office (229-931- 2909) khagler@rivervalleyrc.org or Katie Howard (706-256-2928) khoward@rivervalleyrc.org in the Columbus office.

Columbus Office: P. O. Box 1908 1428 Second Avenue Columbus, GA 31902 Phone: 706-256-2910 Fax: 706-256-2951 Americus Office: 228 West Lamar Street Americus, GA 31709 Phone: 229-931-2909 Fax: 229-931-2745 Chairman—Wayne Anthony Executive Director—Patti Cullen Editor—Katie Howard

Working for Your future

We’re on the web! www.rivervalleyrc.org

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Staff of the River Valley Regional Commission

R. B. Holmes Photography