Thanks to a grant from the Georgia Planning Memorial Foundation (GPMF), there is a free planning & zoning training opportunity for appointed Board members (Planning Commissioners, Board of Zoning Appeals members) on November 14 in Calhoun.

The event is a partnership between GPA, GPMF, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC). The event, to last from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, will be held at the Gordon County Agricultural Service Center, 1282 GA-53 Spur, Calhoun.

The idea for this initiative, intended to serve as a test event for possible future trainings for Planning Commissioners and Board of Zoning Appeals members, originated with GPA and GPMF Board members. The intention is to offer affordable one-day training events for community decision-makers who review proposed rezonings, variances, special use cases, and other matters. Future events may be held in locations such as Augusta and Columbus and would be reasonable in cost (less than $50 per person).

This effort is not intended to compete with existing planning & zoning training programs such as the Community Planning Institute, Community Planning Academy, Carl Vinson Institute classes, conferences of GAZA and GPA, etc.

The November 14 event will include sessions on Planning 101; Zoning 101; Legal Info for Board members; and Making Sound Decisions in Planning & Zoning.

Space is limited to 50 participants – if you know of a Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals member who may be interested, please email Richard Osborne, GPA Planning Officials Development Officer, or call 706-253-8852.

If you are interested in learning more about the Georgia Planning Memorial Foundation (GPMF), which also offers scholarships to GPA conferences and Community Planning Institute training events, please visit the GPMF webpage,