President's Welcome
It is my honor and privilege to welcome you on behalf of the Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) Board of Directors. Whether you’re new to GDA or a long-time advocate for Georgia’s downtowns, we are here to support you.
GDA’s mission is to connect communities and equip professionals through training and networking to strengthen and advocate for Georgia’s downtowns. I am thrilled to share the strides we’ve made together in support of these goals. The last few years have been nothing short of transformational. 2024 marked an exciting time for GDA as we celebrated 25 years of championing Georgia’s downtowns – the heartbeat of our state with 371 members. This milestone reminds us of the remarkable progress made from our collective revitalization efforts and fuels our passion for what is yet to come.
Through our partnerships with Georgia Power and the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, we developed and launched the Certified Downtown Professional (CDP) program. This groundbreaking initiative, introduced in August 2023, features 10 comprehensive educational courses and a capstone project designed to equip downtown professionals, elected officials, planners, administrators, or downtown enthusiasts with essential skills. Since the launch, we’ve offered 11 classes with over 200 participants.
We’ve also expanded our legislative advocacy efforts, ensuring downtown development remains a key focus at the state level. In a historic move, our very own Jason Ford and Taylor Smith addressed the House Rural Development Council, highlighting the critical role of the Rural Zone designation for small towns.
Our annual statewide conference in Downtown Thomasville was another record-breaking success, bringing together professionals from across Georgia to learn, connect, and celebrate the future of our downtowns. We can’t wait to see you in Gainesville this August for what is sure to be another unforgettable conference.
Internally, we’ve been hard at work revamping our bylaws and membership structure to better serve our members and streamline our organization’s operations, ensuring we remain a trusted resource for years to come.
In the last five years, 93 Georgia Main Street Cities (of the state’s 537 cities) reported 26,300 net new full-time jobs, 3,585 net new businesses, $518,872,642 in public investment, and $4,442,642,463 in private investment. Never underestimate the economic value of your downtown.
None of this would be possible without the dedication and passion of our members, partners, supporters, and predecessors who paved the way for this legacy. Together, we’re building stronger, more vibrant communities that enrich the lives of all Georgians.
Thank you for being a part of this important work. I encourage you to explore our website, take advantage of our resources, and connect with fellow members. Let’s make the next 25 years even more impactful!
Warm regards,
Aundi Lesley
Economic Development Manager, City of Canton
