Council Releases 2015 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Priorities 


As the Georgia General Assembly prepares to kick off the 2015 Legislative Session, the Council for Quality Growth is releasing our 2015 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Priorities, as approved by the Council's Board of Directors.

The Council held a Legislative Reception in December with members of the Board and the Georgia General Assembly to highlight the 2015 priorities. We will continue to play an active role at the State Capitol and invite all Council Members to join us at the State Capitol on March 11th for the 3rd Annual  "Council for Quality Growth Day at the Capitol" for discussions with state policymakers and legislators.  The previous two years have proven very successful in advocating the Council's Mission and Legislative Agenda.  

Be on the lookout next week for the first edition of the Council's Legislative E-Update, "Under the Gold Dome" which will run every Friday until the General Assembly adjourns.

Click HERE for a more readable version of our legislative priorities. 

Council Presents 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule and Speakers
HERE
The Council for Quality Growth Announces the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule. 

The Council hosts about 80 advisory committee meetings each year featuring guest speakers such as:
 
  • Congressman Rob Woodall 
  • Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell
  • Cobb Chairman Tim Lee
  • Georgia House of Representatives Minority Leader Stacey Abrams
  • DeKalb County Int. CEO Lee May
  • Cherokee County Chairman "Buzz" Ahrens
  • Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash
  • County Commissioners Region-Wide
  • Mayor's Region-Wide
  • City Councilman Region-Wide
  • and many more local, county and state leaders can view below by expanding your screen or clicking below to view the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule. 

Advisory Committee meetings are for Council members only. Please click HERE for more information about joining the Council for Quality Growth. 

Click HERE to view the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule. 

Click HERE to view the January 2015 Advisory Council and for Registration as a Council Member.


The 2015 Calendar is updates weekly with new Speakers.  Be sure to go to the Council's Website at www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org and click on the Events Calendar link for the most up-to-date 2015 calendar.

Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding Releases Final Report
The Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding released its final report earlier this week. 

Click HERE to read the AJC's coverage of the report. 

Click HERE to read the report. 


Atlanta Streetcar Takes Inaugural Ride 
The Atlanta Streetcar opened for public use on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at its grand opening ceremony at Woodruff Park. The new form of public transit will feature 12 stops throughout its 2.7 mile track, connecting various neighborhoods, entertainment venues and tourist attractions around the city. The streetcar will run from 6a.m. until 11p.m., and until 1a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. In an effort to encourage people to use the new transit system, the city will offer free fares for the first three months. The streetcars will cost $1 per ride after the first three months end. 

Georgia Department of Economic Development Releases Governor's High Demand Career Initiative Report 
Last week, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in collaboration with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, released the Governor's High Demand Career Initiative Report. Over the course of 13 meetings with various companies throughout Georgia, GDEcD was able to detect several key trends among Georgia's most prominent industries. 


Council Submits Comments to EPA on "Waters of the United States"

This fall, a coalition of interests, representing Georgia's Regulated Communities and Conservation Organizations, met at the Georgia State Capitol before a Joint House and Senate Committee to discuss the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal of new regulations expanding regulatory jurisdiction over waters throughout the United States.  The proposed rule by the EPA, changes the definition of "Waters of the United States" under the "Clean Water Act" (CWA) and has caused much debate throughout Georgia's various industries.

 

Read More 

January 9, 2015

What are Council Members saying about their investment in the Council for Quality Growth?


 
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
2015 DeKalb County State of the County Address
January 22


Click 

2015 Cherokee County State of the County Address
February 11



Click HERE
2015 Gwinnett County 
State of the County Address
February 19 


Click 

In the Loop: Transfer of Development Rights: An Opportunity for Growth and Economic Development 

Local government organizations have implemented a variety of mechanisms for the preservation of the natural environment. In fact, many local governments have collaborated with the development community to establish programs that consider all vantage points on such matters. In response to sprawling conditions of the post-World War II suburbanization movements, many communities find it more desirable to allow larger numbers of units in smaller spaces than to have fewer units spread out over a larger space, increasing density in certain areas while preserving nature in others. The desirability of increased density stems from its promotion of a healthier and walkable lifestyle through the attraction of mixed use facilities. This results in reduced infrastructure costs due to the compactness of development, which promotes higher property values because of its proximity to urban centers. As more Millennials migrate to vibrant urban environments rather than sprawled suburban neighborhoods, the market demand for city centers and high density developments will only increase.

 
Council for Quality Growth Seeking SPRING 2015 Interns
It is that time of year again when many undergraduate and graduate students are finalizing their spring semester schedules.  The Council is currently seeking independent, dedicated individuals to serve in spring internships with the agency.  These internships will be structured learning opportunities geared to teach "real world applications" of public policy development.

 

Those seeking a bachelor's or master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Political Science or other Public Policy related areas of study will be most successful.  Other areas of study including Economics, Environmental Studies, Environmental Design or Engineering, Real Estate, Business Administration, and Geography are also welcome.  Interns will be expected to research various public policy issues affecting the agency, write articles for newsletters, and assist regular staff with formulating real public policies affecting our members.

 

Please Note: This is an unpaid internship.  Working schedule is flexible due to the responsibilities classes demand.

 

For a complete overview of the Council internship requirements and description, click HERE or contact James Touchton at  JT@CouncilforQualityGrowth.org.

 


Atlanta Business Chronicle Highlights Council Advisory Committees

 

 

In a special section featuring the Council for Quality Growth and its Four Pillar Tribute, the Atlanta Business Chronicle featured the work of the Council's seven advisories and the role that they play in helping to shape the continued growth of the Metro Atlanta Region. The article features examples of the types of policies that have been influenced by Council Advisory committees, as well as quotes from Council members on the benefit that Advisories provide to their businesses.

 

To read the article, click HERE.




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Join The Council for Quality Growth! Membership Benefits include:

Council for Quality Growth Policy Highlights

The Council for Quality Growth advocates for the growth and development industry with the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth in Metro Atlanta and Georgia through the platforms of Advocacy, Education and Information. We work with thousands of elected officials, administrators and staff across Metro Atlanta's more than 80 local governments plus state agencies and legislative and executive leadership. We collaborate to ensure that planning, zoning and other local, regional and state regulatory policies promote thriving communities, strong infrastructure and a prospering economy. We actively advocate and lobby in city council, county commission, regional commission and state legislative and regulatory forums. 

 

Members, in turn, receive exclusive access to the most comprehensive information about regulatory and policy issues in the region. We educate local and state elected officials and professional staff who regularly seek our policy advice and input.

 

To view the Council's Government Affairs and Policy achievements over the past 18 months, click HERE
   
Advisory Committees

Each month, the Council holds Advisory Committee meetings for members. These meetings occur at the same day and time each month and offer members the opportunity to interact with state and local elected officials, as well as county and city staff, including county and city managers, planning and zoning staff, transportation staff, economic development heads and watershed management staff.

 

Advisory Committees are one of the premier benefits of Council membership and all members are encouraged to attend. As a member, you are eligible to attend any of the Advisory Committees listed below.

  • To learn about each of our seven Advisory Committees in more detail, click HERE.
  • To see a schedule of all Advisory speakers, click HERE.
  • To see a master schedule of all meeting times and locations, click HERE.
  • To see a calendar view of this information, view the calendar below or click HERE.

 
Please contact James Touchton at JT@CouncilforQualityGrowth.org for more information or to be added to one or all of the Advisory email lists.



To view all Advisory Committee Meetings, 

Click HERE


To view the Advisory Calendar on the Council Website and Register Online for the Advisory Meeting of your choice, 

Click HERE

The Council for Quality Growth | 770-813-3370 | jt@councilforqualitygrowth.org 
http://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org
5901-C Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite 500
Atlanta, GA 30328