- General Information
Learn a little more about the Office of Downtown Development - Better Hometown/
Main Street
A host of information about cities and towns within our two flagship programs. - Selection Process
How can my city or hometown apply for these programs? - Design Services
Find out how our Design Services team can help you. - Downtown Success
See examples of downtowns on the move. - Other Downtown Programs
For communities that do not fit the Main Street or Better Hometown Profile, the Downtown Affiliate program or the Urban Georgia Network may be the way to go. - Upcoming Events:
Conferences and Events in your hometown
Welcome to Georgia Main Street & Better Hometown Programs
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Office of Downtown Development (ODD) coordinates the Georgia Main Street and Better Hometown programs. These programs assist Georgia cities and neighborhoods in the development of their core commercial areas. Assistance provided by the Office of Downtown Development emphasizes community-based, self-help efforts grounded in the principles of professional, comprehensive management of core commercial districts. Communities are expected to work within the context of historic preservation and the National Main Street Center's Four-point Approach to Downtown Revitalization™: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring and Promotion. As of 2007, over one hundred cities have joined these programs.
Downtown Development Levels of Service and Program Descriptions [pdf]
- Office of Downtown Development – Service Delivery Teams
- Main Street / Better Hometown Program Minimum Standards
- Steps to Become an Official Main Street / Better Hometown Start-up Community
- Main Street / Better Hometown Start-up Community To-Do Checklist
- Affiliate Program
- Services Offered by the Office of Downtown Development
- Main Street / Better Hometown Inactive Status
Enhanced Minimum Standards [pdf]
History and Overview of the Georgia Main Street / Better Hometown Program [pdf]
Georgia Main Street Communities Map [pdf]
Downtown Development Resource and Program Guide [pdf]
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Downtown Development Resource and Program Guide is a compilation of DCA’s resources and programs that can be utilized in downtown development programs across Georgia. Although in no way a complete list of State resources for the redevelopment of downtown areas, this guide is a starting point for local government officials, downtown development authority boards and staff, not-for-profit downtown development entities, developers interested in developing downtown projects, and other individuals or groups interested in investing in Georgia’s downtown areas.
