Unlocking the Potential of Public-Private Partnerships in Atlanta, Georgia

The potential of public-private (P) partnerships to drive development projects in Atlanta, Georgia is immense. With the right guidance and expertise, these collaborations between public entities such as the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) and private companies can be used to supplement traditional and innovative delivery methods of the Georgia DOT. To get started, a local government must adopt a rule, regulation, or ordinance to affirm its participation in the P3 process established by new legislation. After this is done, a private entity can submit an unsolicited proposal for a proposed project to the local government for review and determination that it is a qualified project. The new legislation also established a committee called the Association for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act Guidelines Committee (the “Guidelines Committee”).

This committee is responsible for preparing recommended model guidelines for local governments interested in receiving unsolicited proposals from private sector projects. After receiving and reviewing an unsolicited proposal from a private entity, the local government can approve the project as a “qualified project”.The P3 process set out in the new legislation is slightly different for projects at the state level compared to projects at the local level. Before implementing a comprehensive agreement for the development or operation of a project that qualifies in accordance with an unsolicited proposal, the local government is required to adopt either (i) the model P3 guidelines prepared by the Guidelines Committee; or (ii) its own guidelines prepared by that local government. The legislation also states that no public entity or local government, nor any official or employee of them, will waive sovereign or official immunity with respect to the P3 project, including the interconnection of the qualifying project with any other infrastructure or project. The organization aims to define Georgia's business identity as a national leader in research, development, and implementation of technology.

The legislation broadly defines a “qualified project” as any project that satisfies a purpose or public need, selected in response to a request from a local government, or presented by a private entity as an unsolicited proposal and reviewed and approved by the local government. In addition to submitting the unsolicited proposal to the responsible state public entity, the private entity must submit its unsolicited proposal to each “affected local jurisdiction” which is defined as any county, municipality, or school district in which all or part of a qualifying project is located. The determination by the local government of a qualified project does not oblige either party to continue with the qualified project. As an expert in SEO, I can confidently say that public-private partnerships are an effective way to drive development projects in Atlanta, Georgia. With careful consideration and adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, these collaborations between public entities and private companies can be used to supplement traditional and innovative delivery methods of the Georgia DOT.

By leveraging these partnerships, organizations can unlock their potential for success and create lasting positive impacts on their communities.