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 2022
Number of Net New Jobs Created in 2022
Number of Building Rehab Projects Completed in 2022
Total Amount of Private and Public Investment made in Georgia's Downtowns in 2022
Main Street of the Month
Thomasville, GA
“Thomasville is a GEMS Community and was designated as a “Great American Main Street City” in 1998, being the first to receive this great honor for Georgia. The downtown brick paved streets lend an old world feel to the bustling 100+ unique retail and specialty shops, restaurants, brewery and tasting rooms. In Downtown Thomasville, taste is not only something we savor, but something built by design.” – April Norton, Managing Director of Marketing & Communications + Brandy Avery, Main Street Manager