The City of Blairsville has been officially designated as a Better Hometown Community. Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley and DDA Chairman Kay Jones accepted the Better Hometown designation plaque from Billy Parris at a surprise presentation held in the Historic Union County Courthouse on January 9, 2008.

Wording on the plaque is as follows: "The Georgia Department of Community Affairs hereby Designates the City of Blairsville & the Downtown Development Authority of Blairsville, as an official Georgia Better Hometown Community and hereby grants all of the rights and privileges pertaining thereof - approved and recorded on the 3rd Day of December 2007."

The main objective of the Mainstreet and Better Hometown program is to assist Georgia cities and neighborhoods in the development of their core commercial areas. The DDA of Blairsville, the Mayor's office, and the citizens of Blairsville are honored to receive this prestigious designation.

Meeting deadlines for the Better Hometown designation required lots of hard work by many talented people. Immediately following the Better Hometown presentation, a Volunteer Reception was held for DDA volunteers and supporters. These dedicated individuals have ensured the success of downtown revitalization efforts.

DDA Program Manager Janet Hartman says, "The DDA would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the volunteers and supporters for their dedication and commitment to Downtown Blairsville. We could not have done it without them."