Clarkesville’s Downtown Champions

We love to see a small town with  a Downtown Development Authority (DDA). If you are not familiar with a DDA, this is a state-sanctioned, locally established, independent authority that is loaded with tools to facilitate the development and improvement of the downtown.

The members of the authority are local residents or business owners and are appointed by the city council. Technically, the Authority is empowered under state law to enter into contracts, provide loans, purchase property, receive grants, borrow revenue bonds, and borrow money.  Each DDA works a little differently within the boundaries of their designated tools.   

In Clarkesville, the DDA works with the Main Street Program, with the Main Street Program Director coordinating activity within downtown Clarkesville using historic preservation as an integral foundation for downtown economic development. This gives you an indication of what types of projects they find more important.  The DDA has been involved in various initiatives to improve and revitalize the downtown area. For instance, in 2014, the DDA facilitated plans to clean up and rebuild the downtown core after a significant fire that occurred.  Currently, they are involved in façade grants and pathways to funding for improvements.

If you are thinking about moving to Clarkesville and opening a shop or office downtown, getting to know the DDA and understanding their vision, tools and priorities is key – for where they align with your goals there are opportunities.

For more information about the Clarkesville DDA, you can visit their page on the Clarkesville city website.  We would really be excited if we were to see more of their programs on their website – and active DDA can really make a difference in driving the vibrancy and future of downtown. If you are still curious about DDA’s in the state of Georgia - try this link.