Marvin Price

The official HUD 80% AMI (area median income) for 2024 for the Atlanta metro (recently posted) is now up to $86,000 for a family of 4. While families at this income level will have difficulty affording housing in many parts of the metro, they are *much* less likely to be severely cost-burdened or at risk of instability, eviction, or homelessness than those at, say, 30% AMI (about $32k/year). We need more attainable housing for folks at 80% AMI, and need to work for that through things like zoning reform, financing missing-middle, and inclusionary housing. But very scarce *subsidy* dollars should be focused on those below 50% AMI, and especially 30% AMI. So when mayors of cities (like Atlanta) announce broad goals for X-thousand units over Y years, and don't specify how many will be *deeply* affordable, we need to push for more detail, and for subsidy to be focused on such units.

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The top 5 counties in terms of % of single-family homes owned by large institutional owners in the US are in metropolitan Atlanta. And these counties are either majority-Black or have some of the fastest-growing Black populations in the metro. (Note that these %s are of SF homes. The share of SF rental properties would be considerably higher, and is a more useful measure for measuring power in the SF rental market.)

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Step by step we continue to build the support and momentum for big change to happen…

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Apply by July 26th for a 2025-2026 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions & Equity Grant. This year's grants will fund up to five, two-year grants of up to $100,000 per year to advance equity and scale 10 climate solutions: - Alternative Transportation - Climate-Smart Agriculture - Composting - Energy Efficiency Improvements - Food Waste Reduction - Large-Scale Solar - Plant-Based Diet - Rooftop Solar - Tree Planting - Wetlands Protection Learn more and find out how to apply: https://lnkd.in/gerdBHkb #drawdowngagrants #climatesolutions #climatejustice #equity

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In another sign that North Carolina's CON law is not containing costs but rather reinforcing incumbent's market power. A "boomlet" of freestanding EDs are opening in higher income urban and suburban areas already well-served by big hospital systems Mission/HCA, Atrium, and Novant. The NC CON law restricts freestanding EDs (FSEDs) to those operated by acute care hospitals, who have already invested in dozens of health system-branded urgent care clinics in these same metropolitan areas of NC. Urgent care and freestanding EDs may help relieve hospital EDs of some low-acuity visits and demands on EMS, but evidence indicates they don't lower overall spending. It's hard to imagine new FSEDs will be easy to staff. A freestanding ED is another hospital department that levies facility fees and has higher lab, imaging, and professional costs compared to urgent care. Even worse, UCs and FSEDs undermine the viability of community-based primary care practices dedicated to preventing and managing chronic disease and establishing relationships built on trust and accountability. Michelle Crouch The Charlotte Ledger North Carolina Health News https://lnkd.in/eHndrKpp

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Flagging another useful quick read. In it Raphael Bostic writes: “…we know how qualitative research can help seed deeper study and eventually yield tools for those on the front lines of promoting economic inclusion.” He goes on to point to Advancing Careers for Low-Income Families as an example. “[It] evolved out of listening to families and career counselors and from research showing that benefits cliffs constitute barriers to economic mobility by hindering low- and moderate-income workers trying to ascend a career ladder.” Today, grounded by that listening, there are a host of tools and partners to help individuals navigating benefits cliffs and to help program administrators and policy makers explore ways to address barriers to family self-sufficiency and foster an economy that works for everyone. https://lnkd.in/gn9n9vaA

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Come see what all the #AirUPro hype is about and learn how you can help make your city smarter! #SCCSpring2024 #TELLUS #smartcitiesconnect #airqualitymatters

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Authored by yours truly.

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Super inspired to see this initiative! #zoningreform "The existing Zoning Ordinance is 40 years old and no longer meets Atlanta’s current and future needs. It includes many outdated standards that do not reflect City policies or best practices, and its overall format is complicated and not user-friendly. The rewrite is an opportunity to comprehensively address these issues and create a new set of regulations that better serve Atlanta." https://atlzoning.com/

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While attending the Georgia Municipal Association 2024 Conference in Savannah, GA I have run into several elected and appointed officials for communities we have placed Interim City Managers and Department Heads over the past year. Our current clients for interim services include the City of Chamblee, City of Clarkston, GA, City of Brookhaven, Georgia, City of East Point and others... We talked a little about the value proposition that an Interim City/County Manager or Department Head can bring to an organization. We have found from experience they bring new ideas, mature and experienced leadership, courage to make difficult recommendations and changes and most importantly, they set up the organization for success when the next leader is hired. I've also talked with prospective cities who need interim leaders but have been alarmed or turned off by the cost of the service. I understand the need to be prudent with taxpayer dollars, but the longer term value proposition of Interim Services is definitely worth the short term cost. Thank you to current leaders serving as Interim heroes for our clients - Tammi Saddler Jones, ICMA-CM, Chuck Button, Howard W. Brown, Jr., AICP, ICMA-CM and Greg Walker. I know the value these folks bring every day. What has been your experience with hiring Interim leaders for your local government? If you are interested in bringing on an Interim for your organization, let's talk further. Sumter Consulting can help you build value using Interim leadership.

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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the County Department of General Services (DGS) have released a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Transition Plan to convert the County’s transit fleet of nearly 400 Ride On buses to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The Ride On bus system currently operates 14 electric vehicles.     The ZEB plan is purposely flexible to accommodate for emerging technology and relies heavily on State and Federal grants that MCDOT has so far been successful in receiving. Recent grant awards have totaled more than $30 million for environmentally friendly transportation solutions over the last two years.   “We’ve been aggressively pursuing funding opportunities made available to us on both the State and Federal level,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Often the State funds we receive are used as a match for Federal grant applications. We’ve got a long road ahead, but following the plan we have in place I believe a zero-emissions fleet is fully attainable by or before 2035. The plan is comprehensive, innovative and flexible and it will be updated regularly to reflect new funding streams and advanced technology options.”   The County has secured a contract to purchase 100 additional battery electric buses over the next three years. However, the range limitations of current battery electric vehicles present a challenge for current longer-range bus routes. Alternative technology is being sought to compensate for these longer-range needs. MCDOT secured a Federal grant last year for its first 13 hydrogen buses and a clean hydrogen fueling station at the Gaithersburg bus depot. DGS is managing the project and will break ground on that project next year.  One of the greatest challenges among zero-emission transitions is building clean energy charging infrastructure to support them.   DGS leveraged a partnership with the privately owned AlphaStruxure, a leading developer of sustainable energy infrastructure projects through an Energy as a Service (EaaS) solution. It is a long-term agreement without upfront capital expenditures. In October 2022, the County unveiled what at the time was the nation’s largest solar-powered microgrid for charging of public buses at the Brookville bus depot in Silver Spring. The Brookville microgrid can charge up to 70 battery electric buses with solar power.    DGS is heading up the implementation of an even larger microgrid that will be breaking ground at the Gaithersburg bus depot late this spring to power the future hydrogen bus project and provide additional charging infrastructure for electric buses. This solar-powered microgrid will be the sixth microgrid for the County and will be in operation next year.     For more information and to view the Zero Emissions Bus Transition Plan, visit the website here > https://lnkd.in/eTgAAtTm

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My piece in today's The New York Times outlines what's necessary from Congress & the Biden administration to make sure that rural communities benefit from the investments available in the #IIJA, #IRA, & #CHIPs. The opportunities are immense, but we have to be intentional if we are to help rural places maximize the public benefit - and we shouldn't let politics get in the way. #RuralMatters #RuralDevelopment #ReimagineRural https://lnkd.in/eSEQWztv

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The Dangerous by Design report by Smart Growth America underscores the urgent need for safer streets in Tampa Bay, particularly for communities of color who bear a disproportionate burden of danger. How many more lives must be lost before we take action? People of color, more likely to walk or bike, face increased risks of injury and death. It’s time to prioritize their safety and demand change. Let’s not wait for tragedy to strike again. We need action now to create streets that are safe and accessible for all.

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Across the State of Georgia, arts events, conventions – and sports – are driving our economy and creating vibrant communities. It was the 1996 Olympics that took our business community’s engagement with economic development to the next level. Now, we’re looking ahead to hosting FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, including a Semifinal, and Georgia knows exactly how to do it. From Macon’s Grand Opera House to Mercedes-Benz Stadium residents and visitors alike benefit from entertainment that helps them feel connected and engaged. In fact, a report found that 77% of out-of-state attendees that were surveyed were visiting Georgia to attend a performance, event, exhibit, venue, or facility. The same qualities that define a sense of place or make a town feel like home are also factors in attracting workforce. Any move begins with a visit! These are just a few reasons why it makes perfect sense that Explore Georgia, the state’s Tourism brand and office, and Georgia Council for the Arts are both under our Georgia Department of Economic Development umbrella. And every day, we are taking more steps to deliver jobs, opportunities, and a better quality of life for Georgians. Our blog has more. #Georgia #EconomicDevelopment #ExploreGeorgia #GeorgiaCouncilfortheArts #FIFAWorldCup2026 Kristi Brigman | Mark Jaronski | Tina Lilly | Jay Markwalter, TMP

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What impact will increasing medium and heavy duty(MHDV) vehicle electrification have on North Carolina? My colleague Marilynn Marsh-Robinson breaks down a recent study by RTI International which finds that: 1) MHDV emissions reductions from electrification will more than offset increased demand on the grid, reducing overall GHG emissions. 2) MHDV pollution is concentrated in a number of communities across the state on freight corridors and reduced tailpipe emissions in those areas can reduce asthma-related emergency room visits in those areas. https://lnkd.in/gwCR5SMa

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Housing costs have dramatically increased in recent years, and while some of the increase is due to market forces, regulatory factors also have an impact. This article from Georgia Public Policy Foundation outlines some of the key areas impacting housing prices in Georgia, including: ~ Architectural & development requirements ~ Inclusionary zoning policies ~ Impact fees ~ Lot & home size requirements ~ Zoning & Land-use regulations ~ Building code changes & permitting fees ~ Administrative & compliance costs The cumulative effect of these regulatory measures is a significant increase in the cost of housing in Georgia. While many regulations may have a positive motivation — such as ensuring safety, sustainability or aesthetic quality — the combined impact can make housing unaffordable for many residents.

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The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is excited to announce a new Notice of Funds Available for bid: The Technology Education Initiative The deadline to apply for this grant is Monday, July 1, 2024. For more information on how to apply for this grant, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/ggaPigpG Question Citation of relevant section of the NoFA Questions must be directed in writing to the Operations & Contracts Director (OCD) Lisa Eaves at: lisa.eaves@gcdd.ga.gov Technology Education Initiative Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities 24DIV3: Technology Education Initiative Apply for this grant in DD Suite: https://lnkd.in/g3W9EJfS Purpose The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development of technology training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their family members, and direct support professionals throughout the state of Georgia. Schedule of Events This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule: Applications Due – July 1, 2024 Staff Application Review – July 1, 2024 – July 15, 2024 Grants Selection Committee Review – July 15, 2024 – August 9, 2024 Council Approval – By August 19, 2024 Contract Negotiations and Signed Contracts – August 20, 2024 – August 30, 2024 Start Date/Work Begins – September 1, 2024 Restrictions on Communication All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format: Organization/Individual Name 1. Question Citation of relevant section of the NoFA 2. Question Citation of relevant section of the NoFA Questions must be directed in writing to the Operations & Contracts Director (OCD) Lisa Eaves at: lisa.eaves@gcdd.ga.gov Questions must include the company name and the referenced NoFA section. From the issue date of this NoFA until a contractor is selected and the selection is announced, Applicants are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any State staff except through the OCD, or during the Applicants' conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The State reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Applicant violating this provision. All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to lisa.eaves@gcdd.ga.gov. Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State. The DD Council The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000.

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As more insights regarding the State of Black America become available to the public, new focus can be shifted towards crafting solutions based on research and analysis. Recent findings highlight a concerning trend of sluggish growth in Black-owned businesses. It’s important not to overlook these enterprises, which also belong to the small business sector, in policy-making discussions. For policymakers and advocates of change, here are six actionable steps to consider. Remember supporting Black entrepreneurship and innovation, not only benefits underinvested communities/groups but also ALL members of society. https://lnkd.in/gNf_XQtw

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