"Through resources made available by Georgia Main Street, our city has become more knowledgeable of what a thriving downtown should look like. Sharing that knowledge with our merchants and Main Street partners has led to growth in economic development, an increase in foot traffic, and the awareness of how a Main Street program benefits the entire community." Qaijuan Willis, Americus Main Street
The Georgia Main Street Program began in 1980 as one of the original pilot state coordinating programs of the National Main Street Initiative launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program launched with five local communities and has grown to serve 100+ communities statewide. Georgia Main Streets represent some of the strongest central business districts in the state and in the Southeast.
Latest News
National Spotlight on Georgia Main Street Programs
Via the National Main Street Center: From the Athens Art Alley to Tybee Island’s Beach Business Bootcamp, Georgia Main Street communities have been creating and reinforcing downtown recovery through the support of the Georgia Main Street Innovation Grant Program, made possible through generous support from The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia. This program provided five Georgia Main […]
Read MoreThree additions to GEMS
The Georgia Main Street program announced Cartersville, Monroe and Athens will be added to the list of cities that hold the designation of a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community. The staff of the Office of Downtown Development with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs attended the recent council meetings of each city to relay […]
Read MoreFast Facts
Number of Georgia Main Street Cities
Number of Businesses Opening or Expanding in 2020
Number of New Jobs Created in 2020
Number of Building Rehab Projects Completed in 2020
Total Amount of Private and Public Investment made in Georgia's Downtowns in 2020
Main Street of the Month
Acworth, GA
“For over two decades the City of Acworth has utilized the Main Street philosophy to redevelop and revitalize Historic Downtown Acworth. Our partnership with the Georgia Main Street Program has been invaluable over the years, helping to provide intentional structure and purpose to our downtown development efforts. Since the beginning of our revitalization journey, Acworth has invested approximately $60,000,000 in the downtown, providing the infrastructure necessary to attract quality development in and around the Historic Downtown District. Located just 35 miles north of Atlanta and only minutes off I-75, Downtown Acworth offers a variety of exceptional restaurants and shops, downtown living opportunities, access to over 150 acres of parks and green space, and over 3 miles of walking trails in or adjacent to the downtown.” -Jeff Chase, Downtown Development Director, City of Acworth
