1. #gamainst What is Georgia Main Street? Presented by: Billy Peppers Director, Office of Downtown Development Department of Community Affairs

2. #gamainst Why is downtown important? Highest concentration of small businesses Sense of place Largest public investment Yardstick of community support Heritage

3. #gamainst DCA’s Approach to Downtown Development Tiered services to impact all Georgia communities regardless of population, socio- economic status, staffing, region, experience level Every community can improve its central business district

4. #gamainst About Us … Office of Downtown Development Community Development Division/DCA 2 Offices (Atlanta/Athens) 5 Downtown Team Staff 7 Support Staff in Other Offices – 6 Regional Staff – 1 DD RLF Program Manager

5. #gamainst Team O.D.D. Atlanta Office DCA Headquarters 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 404-679-3101 Athens Office Design Studio 675 Pulaski Street, Ste. 900 Athens, Georgia 30601 706-425-3079 mainstreet@dca.ga.gov

6. #gamainst Downtown Team Billy Peppers, EDFP State Director Economic Development Organizational Development Special Tax Districts Local Authorities Intergovernmental Relations State Policy 404-679-3101 billy.peppers@dca.ga.gov

7. #gamainst Downtown Team Jessica Reynolds Communications & Training Coordinator Promotions & Marketing Board Development Social Media & Technology Events & Sponsorship Program Compliance 404-679-4859 jessica.reynolds@dca.ga.gov

8. #gamainst Downtown Team Carmine Fischetti, ASLA Design Studio Manager 706-425-3079 carmine.fischetti@dca.ga.gov

9. #gamainst Downtown Team Julien de Rocher, PLA Community Design Specialist 706-425-3078 julien.derocher@dca.ga.gov

10. #gamainst Downtown Team Evan Thibeault Main Street Design Assistance/GA Trust 706-425-2926 ethibeault@georgiatrust.org

11. #gamainst What We Do Organization Building Staff & Board Training Community Assessments Monthly Reporting Services Design Assistance – Preservation – In-Fill Development – Corridors – Space Planning Marketing Strategies Program Networking Financial Structuring Best Practice Library Branding Assistance Work Plan Development Partnership Development Hand-Holding

12. #gamainst THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM? So What is

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14. History of GA Main Street Started in 1980 96+ Programs 3 Billion dollar impact 59,000 net new jobs (3,300 in 2013 alone) 370 building rehabs in 2013 4.6 Million people attending downtown events in 2013

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16. The Breakdown 87 Nationally Accredited Main Street Communities 19 Communities in the Start-up Program 5 Communities awarded GEMS status

17. #gamainst Levels of Service OURTown Start-up Program Classic Main Streets GEMS- Georgia’s Exceptional Main Streets Downtown Affiliate Network

18. #gamainst The Four Points™ Organization Design Promotion Economic Restructuring

19. #gamainst The Eight Guiding Principles 1) A sustainable downtown requires a comprehensive approach. 2) The best revitalization strategy occurs incrementally. 3) Redevelopment is a self-help project. 4) Partnerships create the momentum for success. 5) Unique assets are the cornerstones for a great district. 6) Build quality, not quantity. 7) Change is the underlying engine to make things sustainable. 8) Plans don’t work, they have to be implemented.

20. #gamainst Quick Logistics Lesson National Main Street Owns the name Creates the standards Accredits Local Programs Pushes the brand Coordinates national efforts Monitors/Assesses the Coordinating Programs Georgia Main Street Coordinates the State- wide program Contracts to License the name Designates Local Programs Assesses Local Programs based on Standards Interpretations Recommends Accreditation

21. #gamainst 10 National Standards 1.Has Broad-based Community Support for Commercial District revitalization process with active participation from both the public & private sectors 2.Has developed vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and to the local Main Street program’s organizational stage

22. #gamainst 10 National Standards 3.Has an annual comprehensive Main Street Work Plan based on the 4-Point Approach™ 4.Possesses an historic preservation ethic 5.Has an active board of directors, committees and volunteers utilizing the 4- Point Approach™ 6.Has an operating budget with income from a variety of sources

23. #gamainst 10 National Standards 7.Has a paid professional manager 8.Participates in or provides on-going training for staff, board, government officials and volunteers 9.Reports key statistics in a timely manner and is in good standing with critical state mandates 10. Is a current member of the National Main Street Center

24. #gamainst Questions For additional information please contact the Office of Downtown Development at mainstreet@dca.ga.gov