The Senoia Downtown Development Authority and the city have struck a deal to have volunteers staff the city’s welcome center on a part-time basis.

Under an agreement approved by the City Council Monday night, DDA will enter the lease for the facility and be responsible for utilities. If the DDA operates the center a minimum of 20 hours per week, the city will reimburse DDA up to 50 percent of the rent.

Previously the center’s lease and utilities had been paid for by the city. Under new budget constraints this year, city officials had proposed to close the welcome center.

The deal is viewed by the DDA as crucial to promoting downtown business interests.

The welcome center had previously been staffed by the city’s downtown development coordinator but the position is currently vacant and will remain so due to budget constraints. So DDA is using volunteers to man the facility from Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers will greet visitors, give directions and hand out written materials.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Suzanne Helfman at (770)599-8182.

DDA has also recently contracted the design of a new web site at a cost of up to $1,500. The DDA board also voted this month to revise its mission statement to a more concise format as follows:

“The mission of the Senoia DDA is to revitalize, enhance, promote and stimulate the economic development of Senoia while maintaining its historical integrity and charm.”

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