Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 110 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Chapter 110-7 - REGIONAL ECONOMIC BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
Subject 110-7-1 - REGIONAL ECONOMIC BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Rule 110-7-1-.04 - Eligible Activities

(1) All applicants for Community or Economic Development Assistance Projects must submit an application to the department, in a format prescribed by the department. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a viable community or economic development project and clearly identify the proposed use of the funding. Eligible uses of funds for this category include community or economic development improvements such as, but not limited to, rail access; road improvements; water and sewer improvements; site acquisition and development; drainage improvements; utilities; construction projects; capital outlay projects; infrastructure projects; planning services; technical assistance; agriculture, and agribusiness; purchase or lease of equipment or other assets; or any other community or economic development and business assistance activity or purpose identified in O.C.G.A. § 50-8-3(b)(5) or O.C.G.A. § 50-8-8. It is important to note that the proposed use of REBA funds will dictate whether the funds can simply be granted to the applicant, or whether they will be granted to the applicant but require a lease agreement between the applicant and the participating businesses or private user.

(2) All applicants for Regional or Multi-Jurisdiction Community or Economic Development Implementation projects must submit an application to the department, in a format prescribed by the department. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a viable regional or multi-jurisdiction community or economic development implementation project and clearly identify the proposed use of the funding. Eligible uses of funds for this category include, but are not limited to, items such as regional industrial parks; regional facilities; studies; plans; specialized training or educational programs for regional specific industries; coordinated and comprehensive planning; marketing and promotional projects to encourage tourism and to develop, promote, and retain trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities; or any other community or economic development and business assistance multi-jurisdictional activity or purpose identified in O.C.G.A. § 50-8-8.

(3) In general, public acquisition or improvements of public facilities such as water and sewer can be paid for by the applicant with REBA funds and do not require a lease agreement with the participating businesses. Where REBA funds are expended for the public acquisition and/or improvements of privately used land, buildings, machinery and equipment, or other private assets, such land, building, machinery and equipment, or other private assets must be owned or leased by the applicant and leased or subleased to the participating business or private user. REBA funds may also be loaned by the applicant to a participating business or private user for the purchase of land, buildings, machinery and equipment, or other private assets, the terms of which loan shall be determined by the department. Repayment of such a loan would be made to the department and used for other economic development projects and programs.

It is important to note that the department may require the applicant to recapture some or all of the REBA grant if ownership of the project assets are transferred to an entity other than the applicant. The department also reserves the right to require the recapture of grant funds upon transfer of project assets to an entity other than the applicant or upon any event that violates state law, the public purpose of the grant program, or any of the grant conditions. All recaptured funds must be returned to the department.