"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
Cordele, GA
“Since 1987 the Office of Downtown Development and the staff at the Georgia Main Street office have assisted Downtown Cordele with renderings, professional training assistance and many other programs. The networking opportunities that the Georgia Main Street staff offers with our other communities, even during the pandemic, provides all the local managers with invaluable knowledge. Over the last 5 years the Cordele Downtown Development Authority, City of Cordele and the Cordele-Crisp Tourism Board have managed to rehab a blighted building located in downtown and opened the Cordele Rail Museum and Visitors Center. Cordele is also proud to be the home the SAM Shortline Excursion Train with the Depot located in downtown Cordele. The SAM is the only rolling State Park in Georgia and is owned by the Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority, managed by Parks and Historic Sites under the GA DNR. Downtown Cordele is honored to be a part of the Georgia Main Street community.” -Monica Mitchell, Director, Downtown Cordele
