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“Downtown Decides!”, the participatory budgeting program created by Council member Amir Farokhi with the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) – is officially open for voting.
Atlanta residents who live, work, or visit Downtown can visit www.downtowndecides.com and take part. Participants are given a digital ballot featuring 33 submissions and have a budget of $1 million to select their favorite proposals. Polls are open through the end of May. The winners will then be declared, and dollars earmarked for construction projects to help improve the city’s infrastructure.
“I am excited to see the vote get underway,” Farokhi said. “My office and our partners have been hard at work on this for well over a year. Atlantans now get to directly decide how some of your tax dollars are spent. This is direct democracy and I hope it becomes a norm for our city.”
Last fall, Atlantans submitted 116 ideas and the Atlanta Department of Transportation analyzed the data and filtered ideas that were ineligible for reasons such as cost or location. The $1 million in funding comes from unspent Transportation Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (or T-SPLOST) dollars allotted to ADID in 2017. Committed to the guidelines of the financing source, all eligible projects are focused on transportation.
Farokhi was happy with the assortment of ideas that made the final cut.
“There’s something for everyone on the ballot,” he said. “People were creative and thoughtful with their submissions. However you interact with downtown and its transportation infrastructure, there’s going to be something on there that directly impacts you. I look forward to seeing folks make the same hard decisions that government has to in deciding which projects are most popular.”
Farokhi is particularly happy that the process is moving ahead as planned against the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“From the day we launched in November, we had always said we’d have the vote in May. Certainly recent events made that a heavier lift, but we met our deadline. I believe it’s important that as a city government we show that on this and many other things, it’s business as usual. I hope too that this opportunity comes as a welcome distraction to many as we all navigate this challenging time together.”
The post Downtown Decides: Public can vote online for infrastructure improvements appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s evening report shows confirmed COVID-19 case have increased to 30,738 and the death toll to 1,327.
The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the State of Georgia is significant, according to figures released by Gov. Brian Kemp’s office today. Georgia’s April net tax collections totaled nearly $1.84 billion for a decrease of $1.03 billion, or -35.9 percent, compared to April 2019 when net tax collections totaled $2.87 billion. Year-to-date net tax collections totaled $19.23 billion for a decrease of nearly $680 million, or -3.4 percent, compared to the previous fiscal year (FY) when net tax revenues totaled $19.91 billion.
Atlanta Public Schools will host a virtual event on Thursday, May 7, at 9 a.m. for its valedictorians, salutatorians and STAR students as well as their families, STAR teachers and principals. The event will be held on Facebook Live and include messages from Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen, Atlanta Board of Education Chair Jason F. Esteves and Georgia Power Regional Manager Audrey King, as well as a special video tribute honoring each student. After the Facebook Live event, the celebration will be available on APS Channel 22 and the district’s YouTube channel.
The post Coronavirus Update – May 6: Cases near 31k; state tax revenue falls; APS to virtually honor top students appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.
Lisa Herring, the finalist for the Atlanta Public Schools superintendent position, said she has more to learn in response to questions from about 120 participants in a May 5 virtual town hall for the North Atlanta Cluster.
Additional town town halls are ste for today, May 6, and tomorrow, May 7. For details see the school board website here.
Herring’s answers on such topics as charter schools and Title I funding were lengthy, but specifics were few, as she sidestepped taking controversial stances and deferred to the Atlanta Board of Education and its strategic plan.
One controversy she did address specifically was her transition coming in the midst of the pandemic, with its district closure and virtual processes. “I understand that there are still questions tied to making a transition during a pandemic and how individuals might have angst — could and should have angst — and questions,” she said. “…“I’ve said, I sometimes find myself pushing in as if I want to push in and jump through the computer screen, and that’s all we have right now. There will be more opportunities.”
Herring was picked by the school board to replace current Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, whose contract ends June 30. Herring is scheduled to take over July 1, but will be “onboard” before that under a separate transition contract, according to school board chair Jason Esteves.
Pandemic issues loomed large among audience questions. Asked about the possibility of in-person classes resuming in the fall, Herring said the idea was “to be in a space of preparedness” based on expert public health advice. On the likelihood of budget cuts, she said, “To be detailed at this point would be irresponsible.”
On the topic of dual-language immersion programs, Herring raised a broader issue of parental input and mentioned one technique she has used in her previous jobs, which currently is superintendent of Birmingham, Alabama’s public schools.
“I’ve always had a parent advisory council, so that there is space for a voice for parents to be right in the face or in the ear of the superintendent,” she said. That council included a parent representative from every school in the system, she said.
On some other controversial topics, Herring said she saw both sides, such as charter schools, which are a widely debated component of APS under Carstarphen. “I’ve seen the success of charter schools and I’ve also seen the challenges, across — not just Atlanta Public Schools, but across the country,” said Herring.
One questioner asked about the loss of Title I funding in the North Atlanta Cluster. Title I is federal funding directed at schools where at least 35% of the student population is low-income. Herring answered broadly by praising APS for having an equity policy and saying that previous districts where she worked still don’t have them, despite lengthy discussions. That idea of equity would guide her thinking about how individual schools get resources, she said.
Divisions between haves and have-nots exist, Herring said: “In public education, that is simply a reality, depending on the construct of the district.” Her concept of equity, she said, is providing resources to ensure success, “whether that success is grounded in accelerating the lowest-performing or accelerating the accelerated.”
The school board will see an election in 2021. One question asked about dealing with possible board member transition shortly after a superintendent switch. Herring said she had that situation in Birmingham, with two-thirds of the board that hired her replaced, and they nonetheless completed a strategic plan in less than a year.
The post Atlanta Public Schools superintendent finalist answers questions in first virtual town hall appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) State Supported Funding Program (SSFP) will be hosting 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.
This is a great opportunity for (DBEs), small business owners and veteran-owned small businesses to establish themselves as qualified contractors with the State and learn about Supportive Services available to them.
WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Virtual/Online Event – Register Here! (LINK)
COST: FREE for DBEs, Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
CONTACT: 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.
First Community Mortgage (FCM) has named Atlanta mortgage veteran and serial entrepreneur Dan Smith as its new President. Nationally recognized as a mortgage industry leader and sales solutions expert, Smith has been consulting with FCM for the past 8 months. Tennessee-based First Community Mortgage does business nationally, including in Georgia.
“We are excited to welcome Dan as an official part of the First Community Mortgage family,” said FCM CEO, Keith Canter. “He has long been a friend – and sometimes a friendly competitor – to FCM and has been helping us strategize toward our next phase of growth, bringing even more value to our team, our referral partners and our customers. I look forward to working alongside Dan and know you will too.”
Prior to joining FCM, Smith was President of Mortgage for National Bank of Commerce, which originates mortgages in 50 states and is now part of CenterState Bank. He co-founded Atlanta-based PrivatePlus Mortgage, a division of Private Bank of Buckhead, recognized as one of the 100 fastest growing companies by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and named to the 2016 Inc. 5000, recognizing it as one of the fastest growing businesses nationally.
“I have long known and admired Keith and FCM and look forward to being part of the team taking First Community Mortgage to its next stages of growth and innovation,” Smith says. “It’s rare to have an opportunity to help lead such a healthy company full of great people; I am excited to contribute and be part of that winning team.”
Smith has grown multiple companies with annual origination volumes ranging from $500mm to $6 Billion. He is Chairman and was principal investor of Insite Managed Solutions, which provides Sigma-based analytics strategies, training, and consulting services to Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
He is a 1989 graduate of the University of Miami School of Business, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He is Chairman-elect of the University’s President’s Council and served on the Advisory Board for The Launch Pad, a collaboration between the University of Miami, Blackstone Charitable Foundation and The Kauffman Group, which promotes entrepreneurship for students and alumni. He also is an Aspen Institute Leadership Moderator and member of The Aspen Institute’s 2012 Class of Henry Crown Fellows and served on the Advisory board of Junior Achievement of Georgia.
Leslie Sharp, associate vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development, has been named dean of the Georgia Tech Library. She will officially assume the role on July 1. Since March 2019, Sharp has served as the interim chief executive officer for the Library.
“Leslie Sharp has been an outstanding administrator during her time at Georgia Tech and I thank her for her service to the Library over the last year,” said Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs and K. Harrison Brown Family Chair. “She is a trusted collaborator and leader, and a passionate and compassionate educator. That leadership will be critical as the new dean of the Library and as we realize the full potential of the Library Next initiative.”
Sharp has more than 25 years of administrative experience in both academic and history-related organizations, and has been at Georgia Tech since 2006. Her time here includes service as the assistant dean for Academic Affairs and Outreach for the College of Design and, most recently, as the associate vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development, a position she has held since 2013.
As associate vice provost, Sharp has managed operations across the organization, including communications, human resources, finance, and general administration. She also oversaw an expanding organizational mission and operations, including growing personnel and services that offer enhanced graduate student support, professional development for graduate students and postdocs, postdoctoral services, and more intentional faculty development. Additionally, she authored new procedures for the Regents Professor and Researcher processes, resulting in more representative and inclusive practices for nomination, selection, and reappointment, and helped put in place a transparent and consistent promotion path for lecturers and academic professionals, which included adding a principal level to both.
In the role of interim CEO of the Library, Sharp was responsible for overseeing all personnel, financial, and operational decisions. She also began to craft a long-term vision for the human resources, technology, space, and culture of the Library, including strengthening integration of the Library with the academic and research mission of the Institute.
“I am proud to have served alongside the faculty and staff of the Library over the last year and am honored to be named the next dean of an incredible organization,” said Sharp. “The Library is the true scholarly heart of our community and I am excited to steer the vision of Library Next and continue my work.”
Sharp is a Georgia Tech alumna, earning a Ph.D. in the history and sociology of technology and science, with a doctoral minor in architectural history. She holds a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a B.A. in history from the University of Georgia.
Sharp was one of four finalists in the search for the next dean of the Library. The search committee was chaired by Jason Freeman, professor and chair in the School of Music. Members of the Office of the Provost who served on the committee included Michael Toney, director of Academic Administration, who served as the search administrative lead, and Mary Thomas, senior program manager. Representatives from outside search firm Isaacson Miller assisted.
“The candidate pool yielded a field of impressive finalists, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to the search committee and the Georgia Tech community for their support and counsel throughout this important search,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Dr. Sharp’s long and deep history at Georgia Tech make her uniquely suited to lead our Library into a new chapter of partnership with all academic units, service to our learning and research missions, and innovation in how we access and leverage information. I very much look forward to continuing to work with her.”
Sales Xceleration Inc. conducted a Quick Pulse Survey to Sales Leaders to see how their sales organizations are functioning through the uncharted territory of COVID-19. The results confirmed that 93.4% have been overwhelmingly impacted.
77.14% of the survey respondents were small to mid-size businesses under $100M in revenue, and the key findings were:
54.72% do not have a plan-ahead strategy or plan to create one for their post COVID-19 sales efforts
47.17% have either executed sales layoffs/furloughs or plan to in the near term
34.9% adjusted quotas or compensation plans for sales reps
23.58% have not adjusted compensation plans despite sales being significantly impacted
Additionally, the survey revealed the biggest challenges companies are facing during this crisis. Key themes emerged from the data, including:
Loss of revenue
Prolonged sales cycle
Pipeline standstill
Travel restrictions
Inability to gain facetime with prospects
Employee safety
Supply chain roadblocks
Staffing struggles for essential businesses
Time and resources to focus on creating a viable re-entry strategy
Download the infographic for a full picture of the effect COVID-19 has had on sales.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the SMB community hard. Our Advisors have the expertise to help businesses navigate the current situation, while making the necessary changes to be successful as we all emerge into a new business world,” said Mark Thacker, President, Sales Xceleration, Inc.
Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the largest shipment of personal protective equipment to date has been distributed by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).
“We know that protecting our frontline workers is critical to our success in the fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Kemp. “GEMA/HS and DPH are leaving no stone unturned to acquire and distribute PPE, and the shipment is reflective of the priority that we are placing on keeping these workers safe.”
More than 600 orders, equaling 150 pallets of PPE and supplies, left the Georgia DPH warehouse bound for hospitals, healthcare facilities, and test sites throughout the state. Additionally, the team delivered four urgent PPE resupplies to the Department of Agriculture, Georgia Tech CVS test site, and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Altogether, GEMA/HS shipped 38,420 face shields, 423,000 gloves, 432,150 surgical masks, and 81,120 coveralls to frontline healthcare workers.
GEMA/HS and DPH continue working together to provide any requested resources needed by Georgia communities to effectively respond to COVID-19.