GDA Advocacy Agenda
Purpose: The official purpose of the Georgia Downtown Legislative committee is to educate elected officials about the impact of downtown development and to keep the membership abreast of bills in the state legislature, laws, government requirements, and other issues that affect favorable downtown development.
2025 GDA Advocacy Topics
OFFICE OF DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) unwaveringly supports the Office of Downtown Development and Georgia Main Street program as the signature program for community development and revitalization in Georgia’s historic downtowns. Furthermore, GDA supports additional funding for the Office of Downtown Development for the reestablishment of the Design Studio, in partnership with the University System of Georgia.
HISTORIC TAX CREDITS
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) has identified the Georgia Historic Preservation Division’s Tax Credit Program as a transformational rehabilitation incentive for historic properties, that promote economic development, encourage heritage tourism, and support the sustainability and vitality of historic downtowns. The continuation and increase of these credits is supported by GDA. Likewise, GDA supports alternative funding programs to fill any “gaps” created, if this program sunsets in 2029.
HOUSING
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) supports policies and programs aimed at addressing the National Housing shortage. Furthermore, the Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) prioritizes policies and programming that enhances the overall total number of housing units in close proximity to downtowns. These units bolster the overall health and economic viability of downtowns. Programs such as the Governor’s Rural Workforce Housing Initiative (RWHI), can be modified to support these activities.
Tourism-HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
In 2023, Georgia travel and tourism generated a $79.7 billion statewide economic impact and supported more than 463,400 jobs, an increase of more than 20,000 jobs over the prior year. The tourism industry also generated a record $5 billion in state and local tax revenues. The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) supports legislation that expands usage of Hotel/Motel Tax monies to support downtown development projects via a Downtown Development Authority or Main Street Program.
TRUCK WEIGHTS
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) staunchly rejects any proposed increases to truck weight figures on both state and locally managed routes. Public Safety, overall walkability, and small business development are all negatively impacted by heavy trucks using roadways that pass-through communities’ historic downtown cores. Alternatively, GDA supports any federal legislation aimed at increasing truck limits on the Interstate Highway System.
CPACE
The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) vehemently support additional funding mechanisms, such as CPACE, that can be utilized for downtown development projects. These types of funding programs can improve financial viability of these projects, ultimately leading to more sustainable development and redevelopment efforts of downtowns across the state.