DDA History

Blairsville's Better Hometown Program

Priority Lists and Updates

Revitalization Survey

Get Involved/Committees

DDA Board

Get Involved

You're invited! Come help plan the future of Blairsville. If you're interested in helping with Downtown Blairsville revitalization efforts, there are many ways to get involved. The Downtown Development Authority is experiencing some exciting times with projects divided up among four main committees.

Our five committees - Organization, Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and Web Design are made up of interested community members that want to see Blairsville reach its full potential. We have volunteers utilizing their individual talents in many ways.

Organization Committee - builds consensus for the downtown revitalization program; provides an appropriate organizational framework; manages the overall program; raises funds. Projects include:

• Develop a mission statement
• Publish a newsletter
• Develop printed informational pieces about the Better Hometown Program
• Hold educational events about the program
• Secure funding sources for local program

Design Committee - creates an attractive, pedestrian-friendly downtown by capitalizing on the unique assets and heritage of the community; promotes improvements that are compatible with the community's historic and cultural heritage. Project include:

• Conduct a survey of downtown buildings and parking
• Identify assets and detractors in the downtown
• Develop design guidelines publication
• Provide information on design services
• Provide information on facade grant program
• Identify priorities for public improvements
• Promote storefront improvement and building renovation projects
• Assist owners with National or State Register nominations

Promotion Committee - celebrates the downtown through marketing, events and image; markets a unified, quality image of the downtown business district as the center of activities, goods, and services in the community; markets to retailers, shoppers, investors, and visitors. Projects include:

• Identify the special character of the downtown
• Develop a logo and "image"
• Publish an events calendar
• Create a business directory
• Organize advertising opportunities
• Install banners in downtown
• Co-sponsor historic tours

Economic Restructuring Committee - develops a market strategy that results in an improved retail mix, a stronger tax base, increased investor confidence, and more stable economy in the downtown; recruits and retains businesses. Projects include:

• Inventory businesses in the downtown
• Inventory buildings in the downtown
• Survey downtown customer base and trends
• Develop a color-coded map showing building usage in the downtown
• Develop a business recruitment packet
• Identify potential business prospects
• Identify sources for business and real estate development
• Locate building rehabilitation financing
• Educate realtors and others about the revitalization program

Web Design Committee - develops and maintains a professional website with information available for tourists, local residents, and DDA committee members. The Web Design Committee ensures that the DDA web site delivers best possible "first impression" of Downtown Blairsville to the world via the internet. Projects include:

• Gathering new content
• Posting regular updates
• Gathering statistical information
• Utilizing available Search Engine Optimization techniques
• Usability testing
• Photo and image optimization

Get Involved! Join one of our committees today. For more information please send an email to ddaofb2005@windstream.net or call (706) 994-4837.

Site Design By Janice Boling