Georgia Exceptional Main Street

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced on April 4 the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority is designated as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) Program for economic development efforts throughout 2016.

“Georgia Exceptional Main Street communities are united by common attributes that help make them the strongest commercial historic districts in the state- a commitment to historic preservation and planning, stable leadership and active municipal support,” said Jessica Reynolds, director of the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which houses the Georgia Main Street program.

Preceded by the National Main Street Center’s Great American Main Street Award in May of 2016, the Georgia Exceptional Main Street designation further demonstrates downtown Dahlonega’s excellence in economic vitality, design, promotion and organization.

Investments in downtown Dahlonega in 2016 included 16 public and private construction projects totaling more than $1 million; $12,000 reimbursed through the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority’s historic preservation grant programs; 99 events produced; 20 special economic development projects completed; and over 4,000 community volunteer hours documented.

Read the entire 2016 Activity Report HERE.