Statewide Historic Preservation Conference:  Call for Proposals

Our friends at the Historic Preservation Division will be hosting its Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Madison from May 18-20 this year.  If you  are interested in highlighting your accomplishments or projects then this conference is a great opportunity for you to tell your story and hit a new demographic.  The deadline for session proposals is Monday, February 13, 2017.  For more information about the 2017 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference or other HPD - sponsored trainings and events please visit http://www.georgiashpo.org/conferences.   Learn More > Call for Proposals for Historic Preservation Conference

Steve Foster, a Georgia Power Senior Urban Advisor, shared the above link about retail predictions for 2017.  According to the article, a few themes emerged, "Customers, Technology, Leadership." 
The Education & Training Committee has set goals within the Professional Development and Mentoring programs this year. We plan on marketing and conducting the Professional Development Exam throughout the state of Georgia. Individuals who
successfully complete a certification will be recognized at the annual state conference in Columbus. In an effort to take the Professional Development program to the next level, we also plan on researching opportunities for marketing the program nationally.

In Education, we will be doing short/informational presentations at all of the Department of Community Affairs' regional meetings. This will familiarize Main Street Managers from around the state with the services GDA offers. One of the main services we will highlight in these presentations is GDA's Mentoring program. It is our goal this year to continue connecting mentees with mentors in their region. To learn more about either of these opportunities, please contact rebeccashirley@dahlonegadda.org.

For more information about all Main Street Program trainings/meetings please visit

Professional Development Program application deadline is April 1 and the exam date is scheduled for May 17. Learn more >  Professional Development Program
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. 

Applications must be received electronically by GDA no later than March 1, 2017. 

Learn more >   National Main Street Conference Scholarship Application
The Membership and Marketing Committee has two main objectives for 2017: Marketing the organization and Connecting with members new and old. We are in the process of putting some final design touches on the Georgia Downtown Association's website, updating content to stay relevant and keep our members informed. Check it out at www.georgiadowntownassociation.org.
 
We are also working on getting scheduled and organic posts for our Facebook and Instagram pages. We hope to grow our followers on both outlets and maintain our response rate. Make sure you 'like' and 'share' to spread the word- Georgia Downtown Association - est. 1988. Have something interesting going on in your town? Email me and we can share it on Facebook!
 
The Membership Sub-Committee may be in touch with you as we reach out to new members as well as staying in touch with those that we haven't seen lately!
SB85 Breweries: Retail Package Sales
I'm pleased to announce that the anticipated that Senator Rick Jeffares (R - McDonough), chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, introduced Senate Bill 85, which will allow breweries to sell up to 3,000 barrels of the beer they manufacture to consumers visiting the brewery.  If passed, consumers will be able to enjoy fresh beer by the glass, take up to one case to go, and purchase food without the tour package that is currently required. Furthermore, the bill slightly modifies the brewpub license to reinforce local control on issues of to-go sales from brewpubs.
 
Please contact your state representatives and encourage them to support SB85. Also, encourage your downtown constituents, businesses, and board members to act as well.  For more information check out this recent article: http://beerguysradio.com/2017/01/26/georgia-beer-bill-law-sb85/.
 
HB 921 Rural Downtown Tax Credit
Rural Downtown Revitalization - HB 921 (Rep. Houston) This bill would allow the commissioners of community affairs and economic development to designate certain areas as revitalization zones, which would allow new and established businesses in those areas to qualify for an income tax credits. Local governments that had a population of fewer than 15,000 residents and met three criteria of a (1) concentration of historic commercial structures, (2) a 20 percent vacancy rate, (3) a feasibility study for the area, (4) a master plan, or (5) commitments from public or private funding would be eligible to be a revitalization zone. Each full time job created would be eligible for a $2000 annual credit, not to exceed $25,000 a year. Investors who developed property would also be eligible for a tax credit.  Status: House Ways & Means Committee.

Historic Site Preservation Study 
During the 2016 session of the General Assembly, the Georgia House of Representatives created the Study Committee on Historic Site Preservation with the passage of House Resolution 978.  HR 978 requested an assessment of state programs in their efforts to preserve historic sites in Georgia for future generations.  The assessment includes the collection of information regarding resources offered by the state, the process to obtain the resources, and the ability for private entities to utilize state programs. 

To view the final report click here:  Georgia House of Representatives Study Committee on Historic Site Preservation.