2017 Annual Georgia Downtown Conference 
August 22-25, 2017

Don't forget to submit ideas for sessions at the annual conference.   The deadline is May 1, 2017.  Click here: Call for Session Proposals. 

Conference registration and Award Nomination information will begin in May.
Georgia Downtown Development Professional Certification Program 
 
The Georgia Downtown Association's professional development program is designed to elevate the practice of community and economic development in downtown districts.  Each level demonstrates varying degrees of knowledge based upon years of on-the-job experience.  Deadline to apply is April 1, 2017. 
  • Level 1:  Georgia Downtown Development Professional
  • Level 2:  Senior Georgia Downtown Development Professional
  • Level 3:  Master Georgia Downtown Development Professional
Download application > Downtown Development Professional Certification
National Main Street Conference Scholarship Application: 
Deadline is March 1, 2017
 
Apply today for a scholarship to the National Conference in Pittsburgh!  A $1000 value.  Applications must be received electronically by GDA no later than March 1, 2017. 

 

Learn more >   National Main Street Conference Scholarship Application
Annual Achievement Awards

One of the many benefits of being a Georgia Downtown Association member is recognizing your community's downtown development efforts through the Annual Achievement Awards. 


Have you completed a downtown project in your community this year?  Do you want to recognize an outstanding volunteer from your community?  Did you create an event in your downtown that superseded your expectations?  We want to hear about it!

Nomination information will be sent out in May so start brainstorming now!
HISTORIC TAX CREDIT IMPROVEMENT ACT (HTCIA) INTRODUCED

On Thursday, February 16th, legislation was introduced in Congress that would make important changes to the historic tax credit.  The bipartisan Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (HTCIA -H.R. 1158 / S.425) closely resembles legislation introduced in the last Congress that would improve access to the credit for smaller rehabilitation projects that will help revitalize our small towns and our inner cities.
On Thursday, February 16th, legislation was introduced in Congress that would make important changes to the historic tax credit.  The bipartisan Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (HTCIA -H.R. 1158 / S.425) closely resembles legislation introduced in the last Congress that would improve access to the credit for smaller rehabilitation projects that will help revitalize our small towns and our inner cities.

The Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act encourages redevelopment of smaller, income-producing properties by:
 
  • Increasing the credit from 20 to 30 percent for projects with rehabilitation expenses of less than $2.5 million.
  • Simplifying the application process for small developers by allowing a onetime transfer of the credits as a tax certificate.
  • Making it easier to meet the substantial rehabilitation test.
  • Creating greater flexibility for nonprofit organizations to partner with developers in redevelopment projects.