The deadline to apply for funding through the Employee Safety Grant is quickly approaching. The Employee Safety Grant Program was created to provide financial assistance to members for the purpose of reducing employees’ injuries through additional training, equipment, and services.

Policy committee meetings have officially begun! All county officials are encouraged to attend these virtual meetings and be actively engaged in the ACCG policy development process. These meetings are designed for the association's seven standing policy committees to develop their positions on particular issues for incorporation in the 2021 ACCG Policy Agenda. 

Did you know if you build awareness of the hazards and controls of firefighter cancer within your department, you could win a reimbursement up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a washer extractor for your department? 

Summer interns, Alison Kaye, Julianna Isbitts, and Evan Long, have the distinction of being the first ACCG intern team to complete a totally virtual internship with the association. Learn more about each intern and the invaluable role they played over the summer.

The August spotlight is shining on Emory University student, Jacob Adam and his experience as an intern for Fayette County. Learn more about this month's intern to find out how your county can encourage the next generation of public servants to pursue a career in county government.

The Census Bureau recently shortened the Census response period, making it extremely important for counties to use every opportunity to promote census participation. Aside from social media, one of the easiest ways to promote the census is to include it with an existing event planned for August or September.

OMNIA Partners has created a task force to help counties address their evolving needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the resources available through the cooperative purchasing organization.

Now, more than ever, counties are celebrated for their tireless work on behalf of their communities. Help ACCG highlight those efforts by sending in your photos for Georgia's Local Lens, the newsletter that provides a weekly snapshot of Georgia's counties. Visit the ACCG website for more information.

Does your county have a story to tell? The Georgia County Spotlight will allow counties to share with ACCG, and other counties throughout the state, what great things are taking place in their communities. Visit the County Spotlight page to get started. Once on the page, share your news by clicking the "Submit Your News Here" button in the top right corner.

The US Census Bureau announced on August 3 that they would be cutting short the collection period for the 2020 Census by ending it on September 30 instead of October 31, as previously advertised. This decision was made to allow the Bureau to submit the finalized census data to the president by the federally mandated date of December 31. While the Census Bureau had asked Congress in April to extend the presentation date to the president and the states due to operational delays from COVID 19, this has not happened.

Interested applicants may now submit pre-applications for grant or loan funding through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP). The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program is a grant and loan program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and authorized by The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is offering a free webinar series throughout the month of September that will provide an overview of the WaterFirst Program.

Have you tested your internet speed lately? The Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI) recently launched the Speedtest by Ookla® pilot project statewide through August. This project is designed to equip school leaders with the clearest picture possible of internet connectivity for Georgia’s students and teachers for the upcoming school year.

On Thursday, August 6, join Georgia Smart for a special virtual announcement. During the event, the winning communities and researchers for the 2020 Georgia Smart Communities Challenge will be announced! Be sure to tune in and help celebrate the communities accepted into the program.

USDA is encouraging rural communities to apply for funding under the Community Facilities Loan and Grant program. This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. 

USDA is conducting a series of virtual listening sessions to seek feedback on the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative Final Rule before it becomes effective in October.