Growing Business, Preserving History.
The Georgia Main Street Program began in 1980 as one of the original pilot state coordinating programs of the National Main Street Initiative launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program launched with five local communities and has grown to serve 100+ communities statewide. Georgia Main Streets represent some of the strongest central business districts in the Southeast.
Fast Facts
Number of Georgia Main Street Cities
Number of Businesses Opening or Expanding in 2023
Number of Net New Jobs Created in 2023
Number of Building Rehab Projects Completed in 2023
Total Amount of Private and Public Investment made in Georgia's Downtowns in 2023
Main Street of the Month
Cedartown, GA
“Tucked away in the Appalachian foothills, Cedartown is a charming little city that’s home to roughly 10,000 residents. Over the last decade Cedartown has made great strides in revitalizing their historic downtown. Most recently, they were awarded a one million-dollar Appalachian Regional Commission grant for enhancement of their downtown corridor. This grant funding will be used to improve three public parking areas, specifically selected to create accessibility, enhance pedestrian safety, support existing and future businesses, and create a unified and consistent streetscape — all with a goal of attracting new businesses to the town. Another Appalachian Regional Commission funded project that’s already underway is the construction of Lankford Corner at the Silver Comet. Using $750,000 from grant funding, coupled with an additional contribution from a private foundation, Lankford Corner will be a thoughtfully designed, 300-plus capacity indoor and outdoor event venue. The building will be located on land located across from the Cedartown Welcome Center on South Main Street and will run parallel to the Silver Comet Trail, a heavily traveled tourist attraction. In 2022, Cedartown was designated as a rural zone. The designation is part of a collaborative program between the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. This initiative provides tax credits to individuals creating jobs and making qualifying investments within historic downtown areas that have been designated as rural zones. Cedartown’s Main Street program is dedicated to preserving their rich history, while boosting the local economy through education and economic development efforts.” – Ramona Ruark, Cedartown Main Street Manager
