Georgia's downtowns are stronger than ever but we must continue to build upon the strength and momentum that has brought us to the present day. The Georgia Downtown Association promotes the economic redevelopment of Georgia's traditional downtowns. Through advocacy, education and marketing, GDA works to focus the public's attention on the value of downtown. GDA is an independent association that supports both public and private sector efforts targeted at enhancing Georgia's downtowns.
 
As the 2017 Georgia Downtown Association President, I am looking forward to working with downtown development professionals throughout Georgia. As a volunteer association we strive to provide excellent networking opportunities, a Mentoring Program to support newly engaged downtown professionals, an educational Georgia Downtown Conference, and a Professional Development Certificate Program second to none. 
 
Amanda Glover, President
Downtown Development Authority Director, Bainbridge
National Main Street Conference Scholarship Application
 
Don't miss a chance to apply for a Scholarship to attend the 2017 National Main Street Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. 

In order to encourage continued growth and development of downtown revitalization programs throughout the state, GDA will award TWO deserving downtown professionals with a registration and travel scholarship.  The scholarship will take the form of reimbursement for conference registration, airfare, and lodging costs associated with the trips, with a maximum reimbursement of $1000.  Scholarship funds are made available by funds raised from the Silent Auction during the annual Georgia Downtown Conference.  Applications must be received electronically by GDA no later than
March 1, 2017. 

Learn more >   National Main Street Conference Scholarship Application

A call for session proposals will be sent out at the beginning of February.
Georgia Downtown Development Professional Certification Program
 
The Georgia Downtown Association's professional development program is designed to elevate the practice of community and economic development in downtown districts.  The benefits of achieving each level of the certification programs:
  • Provides a system of progressive, structured improvements in professional practice and receive peer recognition for distinct levels of achievement.
  • Provides evidence of the employee's professional growth.
  • Increased level of expertise that a successful, longer-term professional brings to the dynamic challenges of downtown development.
Application deadline is April 1 and the exam date is scheduled for May 17.

Learn more >  Professional Development Program
Get Involved!

The Membership/Marketing committee is charged with coordinating membership recruitment and development, networking opportunities, and maintenance of the GDA website (through the assistance of GMA).  When you have interesting projects and/or events in your downtown, the committee encourages you to submit that information so it can be added to the association's Facebook and/or Instagram pages.  Please send information to Carlee Schulte.

  Check it out- Georgia Downtown Association website



Craft Breweries' Direct Sales:  GMA staff has received a lot of positive feedback from city officials and legislators around the state about creating an additional exception to the three-tier alcohol sales system to allow craft breweries to sell their beer directly to visitors of the brewery.  Below is a link to an article about discussion of the craft brewery proposal at the Macon Hometown Connection meeting. Macon Hometown Connection discussion