Last week, the Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) joined forces to recognize Georgia's downtown leaders and their efforts to promote downtown and economic development through public awareness, governmental relations and education. "Setting the Scene - The Arts Downtown" served as the 2007 conference theme. Nearly 200 downtown experts converged on Columbus from Oct. 10-12 to discuss downtown development, specifically the impact and development of the creative, or "arts"-oriented, economy and exchange ideas. Fayetteville was presented with the award for the Most Creative Marketing Piece for their submittal of their 2007 Calendar of Events.

Awards to 12 Georgia downtowns and one "above and beyond" downtown advocate were given out during the 2007 Georgia Downtown Conference. The Georgia Downtown Conference is the state's premier conference on downtown revitalization and development. The awards were presented by GDA President Niki Knox and DCA's Downtown Development Director Billy Parrish. DCA and GDA served as the conference's primary sponsors.

Fayetteville’s calendar of events was created by Main Street staff Nancy Price and Jennifer Cleland in collaboration with Dale Georgia with Happy Dog Studios. The calendar is an annual publication that is direct mailed to Fayette County residents, which along with other marketing efforts, helped to bring more than 28,000 people to downtown Fayetteville events last year. Main Street produces more than 20 events annually including the Taste of Fayette, Trick or Treat on Main Street and a Dickens Tree Lighting along with the concerts and events held at the Villages Amphitheater.

"It is important to recognize the creativity, energy and success of Georgia's downtown champions. Their efforts to work with various stakeholders to strengthen, enhance and revitalize local economic activity is significant," said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty. "Georgia's downtowns are key elements to our state's economic health and quality of life. DCA is pleased to support this conference and to partner with downtowns statewide to create stronger, more vibrant Georgia communities."

DCA data estimates that since the inception of the Georgia Main Street program in 1980 and the Better Hometown Program in 1997, more than $1.75 billion in private and public dollars have been invested in more than 100 designated Georgia Main Street and Better Hometowns. This combined investment has supported the creation of nearly 38,000 net new jobs and nearly 8,000 net new businesses.

"Georgia's downtown leaders possess the unique ability to see what can be done,” said Knox. “Today's awards confirm that working together can yield significant results. It is an honor to co-host a conference that recognizes so many of our members' contributions. Together, we are all working to make Georgia an even better place to live."

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