Blairsville - A Better Hometown
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News Release
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FOR RELEASE: 1/10/2008 |
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CONTACT: Kimberly King, DCA Communications (404) 679-0615
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Blairsville Named Georgia’s Newest “Better Hometown” Community
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Atlanta, GA - Georgia Department of Community Affairs Mike Beatty, Commissioner
For Immediate Release CONTACT: Kimberly King, DCA Communications Thursday, January 10, 2008 (404) 679-0615
Blairsville Named Georgia’s Newest “Better Hometown” Community North Georgia Community Joins Ranks of State’s Other Prestigious Main Street Programs
Atlanta, GA - Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Mike Beatty and Mayor Jim Conley recently announced the designation of Blairsville as Georgia’s newest Main Street City program participant. Blairsville was designated as a Better Hometown city. The official designation announcement was made on January 9, 2008 during a reception for Blairsville’s Downtown Development Authority. The reception was held at the historic Union County Courthouse in downtown Blairsville. “We welcome and congratulate Blairsville on joining the ranks of Georgia’s Main Street communities,” said DCA Commissioner Beatty. “Achieving Main Street designation represents the culmination of hundreds of collective hours by many individuals and organizations in these communities.” DCA’s Office of Downtown Development (ODD) coordinates three population-based programs designed to support the growth and development of Georgia’s downtowns. The Better Hometown program supports communities with populations of less than 5,000. The Georgia Main Street program supports communities with populations of 5,000-50,000. Introduced in May 2007, the Urban Main Street City program supports communities with populations greater than 50,000. The Main Street program uses a comprehensive revitalization process originated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1980, Georgia became one of six pilot states to launch a statewide Main Street program of downtown economic development. Its comprehensive approach seeks to integrate a locally-driven management strategy with a focus on the physical improvement of buildings and public spaces, aggressive promotion and image building and economic development of the downtown area. Stronger Downtowns Equal Economically Healthy Georgia Communities “Georgia’s downtowns often provide insight into a community’s overall health. When communities step up to achieve Main Street designation, we know that the community is committed to growing and nurturing its local economy,” added Beatty. Added Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley: “It is an honor for Blairsville and our Downtown Development Authority to achieve the Better Hometown City designation. The determination and persistent efforts of our dedicated Board of Directors, Program Manager and a great group of volunteers made it possible. We are proud of all of this accomplishment and look forward to making Blairsville an even better community for families and businesses.” Since Georgia’s programs were launched in 1980 and through 2006, the state and participating local governments have invested $561.3 million in their downtowns. This public investment has been followed by $1.2 billion in private investment. The combination of nearly $1.75 billion has revitalized these communities and helped them add or create more than 37,600 net new jobs and 8,000 new businesses. Including the newly recognized cities, Georgia continues to operate one of the nation’s most successful Main Street programs. The state is home to more than 100 communities that have committed resources to this unique and comprehensive downtown revitalization effort.
About DCA’s Office of Downtown Development (ODD): DCA’s ODD focuses on economic development through downtown revitalization, historic preservation and restoring a sense of place. The ODD staff manages the nationally recognized Main Street and Better Hometown Program, provides specialized design assistance to communities involved in downtown projects, conducts year-round training sessions and provides a variety of resource materials. The department also offers resources to Georgia’s larger communities through its Urban Georgia Network and Urban Main Street Program. These programs assist larger, urban neighborhoods with historic core commercial districts by providing ongoing networking and information sharing opportunities.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. As outlined in its mission statement, DCA seeks opportunities that support "partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses." DCA operates a host of state and federal grant programs; serves as the state's lead agency in housing finance and development; promulgates building codes to be adopted by local governments; provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments; and serves as the lead agency for the state's solid waste reduction efforts. For more information, please visit the DCA website at http://www.dca.state.ga.us. # # #
Media inquiries may be directed to DCA Communications Director Kimberly King at (404) 679-0615 or kking@dca.state.ga.us (Blackberry/ EMAIL).
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