Athens-Clarke County will be sending a limited number of brief emails to businesses with Business Occupation Tax Certificates in Athens-Clarke County with important coronavirus updates over the coming weeks.

Updated Local Business Impact Survey

The ACCGov Geospatial Information Office and ACCGov Economic Development Department have updated the Athens-Clarke County Business Impact Survey to provide updated feedback from local businesses about their needs. The initial survey went out around five weeks ago.

Updated survey link: https://arcg.is/0CfLP80

The survey link is also located in the Business & Workforce Resources area of the ACCGov coronavirus website at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.

The survey is designed to help learn how business’ needs are evolving and how Economic Development can best continue and target our responses and support.

Residents Sought for Positions on New ACCGov / Winterville Joint Development Authority by May 5

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government is seeking qualified candidates to fill terms on a joint development authority that was created on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

The Joint Development Authority of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and
the City of Winterville was established to provide a route to economic development activities that are unavailable to either local government, potentially including loan support, tax benefits, or property transfers that serve in the best interest of the establishing local governments. It includes each Mayor or designee as a member, as well as three additional residents from Athens-Clarke County and two additional residents from Winterville.

The initial appointments shall be for terms expiring on April 30, 2024.

Applicants for the Athens-Clarke County positions must be Athens-Clarke County residents and Athens-Clarke County taxpayers. Members from the City of Winterville will be appointed through a separate advertisement process.

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission is tentatively scheduled to conduct phone interviews on Wednesday, May 6 between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. This will be the only date for interviews. After the deadline for receipt of applications, individuals selected for an interview will receive notification of their interview times. Applicants who will be out of town or otherwise unavailable on this date should indicate this information on the application form.

Appointments are tentatively scheduled to be made at the Mayor and Commission meeting of Tuesday, May 12. Appointed residents will receive a letter from Mayor Girtz following this meeting.

Applications can be filled out online at www.accgov.com/clerkofcommission. The deadline for receiving applications is Tuesday, May 5.

For more information, contact ACCGov Clerk of Commission Jean Spratlin at 706-613-3031 or visit www.accgov.com/clerkofcommission.

State Guidelines for Businesses from Georgia Department of Economic Development

Looking for one location for all of the various guidelines for businesses in the state from the Governor's orders?

Check out the Georgia Department of Economic Development's COVID-19 area on Guidelines for Businesses at https://www.georgia.org/covid19bizguide.

The site includes lists of the businesses that fall into the three main categories:

Category 1: Required to Close
Category 2: Critical Infrastructure
Category 3: Non-Critical Infrastructure, Not Required to Close

The site also includes Minimal Basic Operations for businesses and industry specific guidelines grouped into:

Health Care Business Guidelines
Restaurant and Dining Service Guidelines
Food Establishment (Such as Retail and Wholesale Grocery Stores) Guidelines
Body Art Studio, Esthetician, Hair Designer, Massage Therapy & Tanning Facility Guidelines
Gym & Fitness Center Guidelines
Indoor Movie Theater & Cinema Guidelines
Bowling Alley Guidelines

For all of the details and guidelines, visit https://www.georgia.org/covid19bizguide.

Community Conversations with Mayor Kelly Girtz

Watch April 29 Community Conversations Video with Mayor Girtz on Business & Economic Impacts

In case you missed it, check out the latest Community Conversations video from the live broadcast that took place on Wed., Aug. 29. The conversation featured a discussion about business and economic impacts with:

Mayor Kelly Girtz
District 2 Commissioner Mariah Parker
Michele Pearson (Co-Founder/Vice Chair of the NE GA Business Alliance, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones)
Tim Kelly (Co-Owner of The Rook & Pawn, Part-Owner of The National)
David Bradley (President/CEO of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce)
Rhodes McLanahan (President/CEO of Athens First Bank & Trust)

The video is available on:

YouTube (www.youtube.com/accgov or directly at https://youtu.be/0izPhvoSK3E)
the YouTube app on mobile devices or TV systems by searching for 'accgov';
Facebook (www.facebook.com/accgov);
the ACCGov website (www.accgov.com/videos);
ACTV cable channel 180.

The next Community Conversations event takes place on Wed., May 6 at 6:00 p.m. and will include a discussion with the Georgia Department of Labor.

Have questions? Submit them through an online form at www.accgov.com/mayor for consideration during the Community Conversations Q&A segment.

CDC: Reopening Guidance for Cleaning & Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes

The CDC recently updated its guidance for cleaning and disinfecting of spaces:

This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home.

Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, and business will require you to:

Develop your plan
Implement your plan
Maintain and revise your plan

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces that will require careful planning.

Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing face coverings.

Read the updated CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfecting.

Georgia DOT Hosts Webinar for Small Business Owners

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) State Supported Funding Program (SSFP) will host an online webinar for small business owners interested in learning about business opportunities with Georgia DOT.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), small business owners, and veteran-owned small businesses will have the opportunity to learn about State Funded projects in the Northeast Georgia region.

During the webinar, virtual attendees will also learn about projects funded by H.B. 170 and the process of becoming eligible to apply for maintenance projects with Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) via Team Georgia Marketplace.

State Supported Funding Program - Webinar Outreach
Thursday, May 7
10:00-11:30 a.m.

Virtual/Online Event - Register Here! (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2259382452421009932)
FREE for DBEs, Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
Anthony Miles, amiles@mhm-cpa.com, 678-420-5500

The State Supported Funding Program conducts events and workshops across Georgia. To find an upcoming event near you see our event calendar at http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Business/SSFP.

For information about the Georgia DOT State Supported Funding Program, visit www.gdotstateprojects.com.

Reminder: Athens Business Support Email at BusinessSupport@accgov.com

If you have questions related to coronavirus concerns for your business or seeking help with business / workforce / non-profit resources and opportunities, send an email to BusinessSupport@accgov.com and have your questions answered by ACCGov Economic Development or a local partner organization.