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Celebrating the presentation of the City of Lavonia as an Accredited Main Street America are (from left) Kathy Papa of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Ellen Hill of Georgia Main Street, Jessica Worthington of the Downtown Development Georgia Main Street, Lavonia DDA Director Barbara Busby, Lavonia Main Street Director Ashley Rose Dodd, Lavonia DDA Chair the Rev. Dr. Hugh Hendrickson and Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant.
LAVONIA – The City of Lavonia has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America.
Being designated as an Accredited Main Street America program is a prestigious recognition that highlights a community’s dedication to preserving its unique character and fostering economic growth through the Main Street Approach.
This designation is awarded to programs that have demonstrated excellence in meeting rigorous performance standards set forth by Main Street America and its partners.
Each year, the list of accredited programs is announced to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional commitment shown by these communities towards preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
Overall, the designation of Accredited Main Street America program is a testament to the dedication and passion of the communities involved in preserving their heritage and fostering economic development.
By following the Main Street Approach, these programs not only revitalize their downtown areas but also create a sense of place and community pride that is essential for sustainable growth and prosperity.
In 2023, Lavonia Downtown had a growth of six new jobs created, 81 events occurred in the Downtown district, 780 volunteer hours and more than $2.3 million invested downtown.
Downtown Lavonia is designated as a Rural Zone.
The Rural Zone designation can bring about various advantages for the area.
One significant benefit is the opportunity to receive tax credits that aim to stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
The credits can incentivize businesses and investors to contribute to the development and revitalization of the community, ultimately fostering a more vibrant and prosperous local economy.
Since 2022, there have been notable developments in Downtown Lavonia, with a total of 16 properties being acquired within the district, amounting to $960,000 in investments.
On Feb. 27, Lavonia Main Street and DDA presented in front of Georgia Main Street and the Department of Community Affairs to achieve their National and State Main Street Accreditation.
The Rev. Dr. Hugh E. Hendrickson, who served as Downtown Development Authority chair, and Mayor Courtney Umbehant joined the team to represent Lavonia.
“It was so great to hear them share the exceptional things happening in downtown Lavonia,” Hendrickson said. “The state agency representatives were excited at the progress we reported. You both work really hard to make Lavonia a better place for citizens, businesses, and visitors.”
“Lavonia’s Main Street and Downtown Development programs continue to thrive and find new ways to bring value to our downtown,” Umbehant said. “Barbara Busby and Ashley Rose Dodd do an amazing job leading these programs. The City of Lavonia is blessed to have them.”
“I appreciate the work done by Barbara and Ashley on behalf of our Downtown Development Authority and Main Street program,” Lavonia City Manager Charles Cawthon said. “Their efforts have strengthened the overall vitality of our downtown. Lavonia is a much more welcoming and business forward location because of their work. I am proud of the energy and efforts they bring to their roles daily.“
The City of Lavonia Main Street and DDA’s performance is annually evaluated by Georgia Main Street which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards.
Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
Lavonia’s Main Street Program began in 1998 and is housed in the Historic Depot which also serves as the Welcome Center.
The Mission of the Main Street Program is to create, implement and evaluate a systematic plan of work specifically designed to stimulate and sustain downtown economic growth and viability, protect, and preserve our historic resources and downtown character, and enhance the overall quality of life for the citizens of Lavonia.