Press
Release
Release: Immediate
Contact: Christian
Hamilton, 706.898.5777
RE:
Toccoa Recertified as a GEMS Community
TOCCOA,
GA, April 17, 2018 – The City of Toccoa is proud to report
that Main Street Toccoa has been recertified as a Georgia Exceptional Main
Street (GEMS) community for 2018.
The Main Street Program is a downtown economic
development program run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the
State of Georgia, it is overseen by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Office of Downtown Development. To be certified as an official participating
Main Street community, a city must follow a four-point approach to downtown
development characterized by Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and
Promotions.
There are currently 114 participating Main Street
communities in the State of Georgia, of which 29 are Affiliate communities, 69
are Classic Main Streets, and 16 are GEMS communities. GEMS designation is the
highest designation awarded by the State of Georgia for participating Main
Street cities. To qualify as a GEMS community, a Main Street must participate
in a lengthy accreditation process that evaluates the effectiveness and
economic successes of that community over a large period of time.
Regarding the recertification of Main Street Toccoa
as a GEMS community, Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton said, “We are proud
once again to be designated a GEMS community by the State of Georgia. We
completed the accreditation process in December of last year, and since that
time, have continued to work toward downtown development here in Toccoa. Our
recertification as a GEMS community just goes to show the support that Main
Street Toccoa receives by residents of this great city. Every year, it seems as
if we gain a record number of visitors to our downtown district, and it
certainly shows by how thriving beautiful Historic Downtown Toccoa is today. We
encourage everyone to come downtown and shop, and, of course, to participate in
and enjoy our Main Street events downtown and at the Ritz Theatre. We are a
GEMS community because of the people we represent here in Toccoa.”
The Main Street Office is happy to answer any
questions regarding its recertification as a GEMS community. Please contact Main
Street Manager Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.
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