The City of Forest Park has been awarded the Qualified Local Government (QLG) Status by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This status will enable the city to access special financial resources and grants for various community development projects.
What is the QLG Status?
The QLG Status is a designation given by the DCA to local governments that meet certain criteria of planning, performance, and accountability. The DCA is a state agency that partners with local governments and communities to provide programs and services that improve the quality of life in Georgia.
According to the DCA website, the QLG Status allows local governments to:
- Apply for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which are federal funds that support housing, infrastructure, economic development, and public services for low- and moderate-income residents.
- Apply for Redevelopment Fund Grants, which are state funds that support the revitalization of blighted or underutilized areas.
- Apply for Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) Grants, which are state funds that support the creation or retention of jobs and investment in the state.
- Apply for other DCA-administered grants and programs that require QLG Status as a prerequisite or a preference.
How did Forest Park achieve the QLG Status?
The City of Forest Park announced that it has been awarded the QLG Status by the DCA on January 10, 2024. The city attributed this achievement to its efforts to improve its operational efficiency, neighborhood sustainability, and economic development.
Some of the notable accomplishments that the city highlighted in its press release include:
- Adoption of the city’s $41.9 million Fiscal Year 2023-2024 operating budget
- Construction and grand opening of the Gillem Public Safety Building
- Completion of Phase II of the Main Street Redevelopment Project
- Creation of two new municipal departments (Code Enforcement and Municipal Court)
- Adoption of the city’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan Update
- Launch of the Homeowner Maintenance Enhancements (H.O.M.E.) Program
The city also credited its governing body and key stakeholder groups for their collaboration and support in pursuing the QLG Status.
What are the benefits of the QLG Status for Forest Park?
The QLG Status will provide Forest Park with more opportunities and resources to pursue its long-term community planning initiatives, infrastructure needs, and economic development projects. The city will be able to apply for various grants and programs that can help it address the challenges and opportunities that it faces as Clayton County’s largest municipality.
The city’s mayor, Angelyne Butler, MPA, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude for the QLG Status in the press release. She said:
“Achieving QLC Status is a tremendous milestone not only for city staff, but also for our residents and businesses, as a whole. Progress throughout Forest Park is not just our main focus – it is also our final destination. Our constituents deserve a government that is forward-thinking and dedicated to putting the needs of the community first. That is why we are devoted to ensuring that transparency and accountability are at the forefront of how we operate as Clayton County’s largest municipality.”
The city’s manager, Ricky L. Clark, Jr., also shared his vision and commitment for the city in the press release. He said:
“By collaborating with our governing body and key stakeholder groups, we will remain steadfast in our pursuit of providing the highest level of customer service, as well as being a fiscally responsible government that manages resources with the utmost care. Whether you live in Forest Park or do business here in the city, we want everyone to know that we are committed to attracting investments, encouraging innovation and creating a high quality of life for our constituents.”
