More Than 70 Georgia Communities Recognized For Downtown Development Efforts

Atlanta, GA (July 24, 2006) - Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Mike Beatty recently presented awards to 74 cities recognized for their community's downtown development programs. Sixty-nine cities received accreditation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program and five cities were designated by DCA as Georgia Better Hometown Cities. 

   The awards were given during a breakfast event on June 26, 2006 during the 2006 Georgia Municipal Association Convention in Savannah. Commissioner Beatty was joined at the event by DCA Assistant Commissioner Brian Williamson, Georgia Downtown Association President Denise Brinson, DCA Downtown Development Director Billy Parrish, numerous DCA staffers and nearly 200 attendees representing the participating communities. 

   "Downtowns Provide Barometer Of A Community's Overall Health For most communities, the downtown offers the most visible indicator of community pride, economic and social health. A downtown can be either an asset or a liability in the effort to recruit new residents, new businesses and keep those you already have," said Commissioner Mike Beatty. 

"Over the years, many of our nation's downtowns have experienced periods of decline. Some communities have allowed that decline to become disrepair. The communities being recognized today decided to take action and combine the energy of government, elected and community leaders to revitalize their downtown areas. Their hard work has paid off and we are proud to recognize and celebrate these efforts," added Commissioner Beatty. 
   
   Successful Downtown Programs Leverage Local Involvement, Technical Assistance The 69 Georgia cities recognized for achieving "National Main Street" accreditation were Americus, Bainbridge, Baxley, Bremen, Brunswick, Buchanan, Byron, Calhoun, Carrollton, Cartersville, Cedartown, Commerce, Cordele, Cornelia, Covington, Dahlonega, Dalton, Donalsonville, Douglas, Douglasville, Dublin, Duluth, East Point, Eatonton, Elberton, Fayetteville, Forsyth, Fort Valley, Gainesville, Gordon, Gray, Greensboro, Griffin, Hampton, Hapeville, Hartwell, Homerville, Jefferson, LaGrange, Lavonia, Locust Grove, Lyons, Madison, McDonough, Milledgeville, Millen, Monticello, Moultrie, Nashville, Newnan, Pelham, Plains, Rome, Royston, Sandersville, Statesboro, Suwanee, Thomasville, Tifton, Toccoa, Trenton, Valdosta, Vidalia, Vienna, Warrenton, Washington, Waycross, West Point and Winder. 

   The Main Street program uses a comprehensive revitalization process originated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1980, Georgia became one of six pilot states to launch a statewide Main Street program of downtown economic development. Its comprehensive approach seeks to integrate a locally-driven management strategy with a focus on the physical improvement of buildings and public spaces, aggressive promotion and image building and economic development of the downtown area. 

   The five Georgia cities designated as "Better Hometowns" were Cochran, Gray, Locust Grove, Sylvania and Union Point. DCA's Better Hometown program offers "self-help" community development programs to stimulate downtown revitalization in cities with populations of 5,000 or less. Including the newly recognized cities, Georgia is home to 105 Better Hometown and Main Street communities that have committed resources to a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort.

   Stronger Downtowns Equal A Stronger, Healthier Georgia "Recognition is nice, but we are most pleased that the communities involved in the Better Hometown and Main Street programs have seen and measured real change," said Commissioner Beatty. "Consider these statistics. Since Georgia's programs were launched in 1980 and through 2005, the state and participating local governments have invested $488.3 million in their downtowns. This public investment has been followed by $1.04 billion in private investment dollars." Beatty continued: "The combination of more than $1.5 billion has revitalized these communities and helped them add or create more than 33,000 new jobs and 7,000 new businesses. That is an enviable record and deserving of our continued support. We're glad that the first half of 2006 is  also off to a strong start with over 1,100 new jobs and 100 new or expanding businesses in Georgia's Better Hometown and Main Street cities."

   DCA's Office of Downtown Development (ODD) focuses on economic development through downtown revitalization, historic preservation 
and restoring a sense of place. The ODD staff manages the nationally recognized Main Street and Better Hometown Program, provides 
specialized design assistance to communities involved in downtown projects, conducts year-round training sessions and provides a variety of resource materials. The department also offers resources to Georgia's larger communities through its Urban Georgia Network and Urban Main Street Program. These programs assist larger, urban neighborhoods with historic core commercial districts by providing ongoing networking and information sharing opportunities.