The Georgia Main Street Program, part of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, announced on May 6 that its network of 101 designated communities reported more than $1.01 billion in public and private reinvestment for the year 2025.
This milestone highlights continued efforts to revitalize downtown areas across Georgia. The program’s latest figures show significant economic activity, with communities adding 1,386 new businesses and creating 5,463 jobs over the past year. Other reported outcomes include the construction of 979 new housing units, completion of 1,402 rehabilitation projects, and implementation of 773 public improvement projects. Local programs also hosted over 24,000 promotional events attended by more than ten million people. Volunteers contributed nearly 153,000 hours valued at $4.9 million.
“These numbers tell a powerful story about what’s happening in downtowns across Georgia,” said Cherie Bennett, Director of the Office of Downtown Development. “Surpassing $1 billion of investment in a single calendar year is a remarkable milestone and proof that Georgia’s downtowns are powerful economic engines.”
According to the announcement, these results demonstrate how downtowns serve as active community centers while supporting local economies through investment attraction and job creation.
Georgia Main Street communities are part of the Main Street America Network and use an approach focused on Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization to strengthen business districts while preserving historic character.
Since its founding in 1980, the program has supported more than one hundred communities throughout Georgia by helping them build on their unique qualities for both current residents and future growth.