Gainesville, Dahlonega given prestigious designation by state group

 The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently announced that Gainesville and Dahlonega have joined 18 other cities recognized as Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) communities by the Office of Downtown Development.

This designation highlights these communities’ “unwavering dedication to the Georgia Main Street Program’s principles of downtown revitalization, economic growth and innovation,” according to DCA.

Since joining the program in 2019, Gainesville Main Street Manager Nicole Parham has strived to attain accreditation – something she’s felt has been earned through recent, consistent and transformational investment in and around the historic square in Downtown Gainesville.

“So much work has been done over the past 30 years to see downtown Gainesville thrive,” Parham said. “I’m honored to be part of the incredible group of people investing in downtown Gainesville, making it a wonderful place to work, live and play! I’m so proud of our small business community and those who’ve invested so much of their lives into making this community what it is today. I look forward to seeing the impact of the next 10 years!”

The GEMS status is awarded to cities that demonstrate “exemplary commitment to advancing their downtowns’ economic development while preserving local culture.”