Resources
Home | General Information | Contacts | Resources
Georgia Downtown Association
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) is a non-profit association that 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.
GDA has a number of programs that are designed to increase the opportunities for and multiply the talents of its members. Membership in the Georgia Downtown Association includes cities, downtown development authorities, businesses, professionals and others individuals interested in downtown. The Georgia Downtown Association also annually sponsors the Georgia Downtown Conference in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Contact: Denise Brinson, President, (770) 945-8996, denise@suwanee.com.
Georgia Cities Foundation / Georgia Municipal Association
The Georgia Cities Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association. The goal of the Foundation is to promote economically sustainable projects and build public and private partnerships in order to help ensure the long-term health and economic vitality of the Georgia's downtown areas. This is accomplished through the infusion of capital via a revolving loan application. The Foundation welcomes applications from cities in Georgia, in conjunction with their downtown development authority, who are requesting financial assistance in their efforts to revitalize and enhance their downtown areas.
Loan amounts will generally be set at no more than one-third of the cost of the total project or not to exceed $250,000 per project. At its discretion, the Foundation may decide to loan an amount less or more than the amount requested in an application.
Contact: Perry Hiott, Director, (678) 686-6207 or Linda Wilkes, Manager, (678) 686-6243 or toll-free at (888) 488-4462.Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works to promote an appreciation of the state's diverse historic resources and provide for their protection and use to preserve, enhance and revitalize Georgia's communities.
The Trust has been a partner in the Main Street program since the program began in 1980 with five cities and continues to provide preservation assistance to the current 100-plus Main Street and Better Hometown cities.
http://www.georgiatrust.org
The University of Georgia
School of Environmental Design (SED)
UGA's Center for Community Design, Planning and Preservation provides several services that help protect and improve Georgia's communities. Among these are community design charrettes, Certified Local Government assistance, and historic preservation commission assistance.
www.sed.uga.edu
The University of Georgia
Fanning Institute
Faculty and staff at the Fanning Institute provide assistance with community development, economic development, and leadership development. Recognizing the interdependence of these areas, the Institute customizes its services to meet the particular needs of individual communities.www.fanning.uga.edu
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
The SBDC provides business consulting and continuing education opportunities to Georgia’s entrepreneurs. Assistance includes how to start a business, how to write a business plan, how to apply for a loan or seek out other financial resources, how to market their products and services, and how to plan for succession of the business.
www.sbdc.uga.edu
Georgia Department of Natural Resources/
Historic Preservation Division
Georgia's state historic preservation office provides a wide range of services that help communities protect their historic character. Among these are rehabilitation grants, the state property tax freeze on historic rehabs, and the federal historic rehab tax credit. The office also assists with compliance requirements established through the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal legislation, archaeology protection, and the National Register of Historic Places.
http://hpd.dnr.state.ga.us/
Georgia Department of Transportation
GDOT is an important source of funding for downtown transportation-related projects. Since 1991, its Transportation Enhancement program has provided millions of dollars for sidewalk and streetscape improvements, historic rail depot rehabs, bike trails, and other projects that enhance the movement of people downtown.
www.dot.state.ga.us
Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
www.ga-sites.com
Georgia Municipal Association
www.gmanet.com
Georgia Power Company
www.southernco.com/site/gapower
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia
www.meagpower.org
National Trust for Historic Preservation / Main Street Center
www.mainst.org
Community Developers Forum
Contact: Bobby Stevens, 404-679-4943
Georgia Department of Economic Development
www.georgia.org
