Looking for a colorful Georgia road trip? Take the scenic route through Middle Georgia on the Rural Mural Trail! 🎨🚗
Through the Flint Energies Rural Mural Program, 15 murals across 10 cities and 8 counties are turning downtown buildings into vibrant works of public art that celebrate local history, culture, and community pride. Each stop offers a chance to slow down, explore a historic downtown, snap a photo, grab a local meal, and discover the stories that make rural Georgia special.
Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or just looking for a new place to explore, the Rural Mural Trail is a great way to experience Middle Georgia one mural at a time.
📍 Plan your route, visit the murals, and make a few downtown stops along the way!
Learn More Here: https://ruralmural.com/plan-your-visit/
Georgia Main Street Program
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Founded in 1980 and comprised of over 100+ nationally certified Main Street cities. The Main Street program was launched in Georgia in 1980.
The Office of Downtown Development serves as the state coordinating partner with the National Main Street Center to oversee the Georgia Main Street Program. Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Main Street initiative blends historic preservation and downtown revitalization through a 4 Point Approach that involves organization, design, promotions and economic development. Pa
06/15/2026
Join Main Street America for an encore presentation of a powerful Main Street Now 2026 session featuring an intimate conversation with the founders of the Main Street movement.
Led by Dr. Bethany Rogers, this webinar brings together Mary Means, Clark Schoettle, and Scott Gerloff as they reflect on the tools, strategies, and ideas that helped shape the Main Street Approach. The conversation also celebrates the legacy of fellow co-founder Tom Moriarity and the lasting impact of the movement on communities across the country.
This is a great opportunity for Main Street managers, board members, volunteers, and downtown leaders to hear directly from the people who helped build the foundation of the work we continue today.
📅 July 15, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM ET
💻 Online
🔗 Registration required: https://shorturl.at/JZE25
The webinar will be recorded and available for replay at mainstreet.org.
06/11/2026
Georgia Exceptional Main Street communities, better known as GEMS, represent downtowns that have demonstrated strong impact through local leadership, community investment, historic preservation, economic development, and the Main Street Approach. 💎
These communities are setting the standard for what downtown revitalization can look like across Georgia — from thriving small businesses and beautiful public spaces to creative events, preservation projects, and strong local partnerships.
Current GEMS communities include:
⭐️Acworth, ⭐️Athens, ⭐️Bainbridge, ⭐️Brunswick, ⭐️Canton, ⭐️Cartersville, ⭐️Dahlonega, ⭐️Gainesville, ⭐️Greensboro, ⭐️Hartwell, ⭐️Macon, ⭐️Madison, ⭐️Milledgeville, ⭐️Monroe, ⭐️Moultrie, ⭐️Newnan, ⭐️Rome, Statesboro, ⭐️Suwanee, ⭐️Thomasville, ⭐️Tifton, and ⭐️Toccoa.
Where to Wednesday: Day Trip to Downtown Monroe ✨
Looking for your next Georgia downtown day trip? This month, we’re heading to Downtown Monroe, our June Downtown of the Month!
Start your morning with coffee from Coffee Camper, Pot Luck Café, or Holy Grounds, then spend some time strolling downtown, browsing local shops, antiques, boutiques, and specialty retailers.
For lunch, take your pick from 20+ restaurant options in and around downtown Monroe — whether you’re craving something casual, classic, or a little more elevated, there’s plenty to choose from.
After lunch, explore Monroe’s historic downtown district, visit the iconic Walton County Historic Courthouse, check out local art, or enjoy a self-guided walk through the heart of the community.
Wrap up your day with dinner downtown, then make one more stop at The Roe, Elixir Brew Co., or Grizzle Beer Co. for a laid-back evening before heading home.
From coffee and shopping to history, dining, and local flavor, Downtown Monroe is an easy summer day trip full of small-town charm and Main Street energy.
📍 Make Monroe your next downtown destination!
Training Tuesday ✨
Promotion is one of the most visible parts of the Main Street Approach — but it’s more than events, flyers, and social media posts.
This week’s featured Main Street America Academy course, "What is Promotion and Why Does It Matter?" explores how Promotion helps communities amplify what makes their downtown special — including local businesses, history, culture, people, and the built environment.
This 30-minute course is a great introduction for Main Street managers, board members, volunteers, and committee members who want to better understand how Promotion connects residents, visitors, businesses, and investors while supporting the other three points of the Main Street Approach.
📚 Course: What is Promotion and Why Does It Matter?
⏱ Time: 30 minutes
⭐ Skill Level: Starting
🎓 Formal Learning: 100 points
Log in to the Main Street America Academy to get started!
06/08/2026
📣 Upcoming deadlines from our partners, Georgia Downtown Association - est. 1999 !
There are several important opportunities coming up for Georgia downtown professionals — from award applications and conference registration to CDP classes and the chance to host the 2028 Georgia Downtown Conference.
🏆 Awards: Applications for the 2026 Georgia Downtown Conference Awards are due Friday, June 12.
👉 https://bit.ly/2026Award
📍 2028 Conference Host RFPs: Proposals are open through July 17, 2026.
📩 Contact [email protected] for details.
🎟️ Conference Registration: Registration is now open, and early registration ends July 3. 🔗 Register here: https://shorturl.at/th1DB
📘 CDP Classes: August CDP class registration is available through the conference registration link. You do not have to attend the full conference to take these classes.
Georgia Main Street is proud to sponsor this great conference and support opportunities that help downtown professionals across the state connect, learn, and celebrate their communities!
06/05/2026
✨ Last night, DCA's Office of Downtown Development & Georgia Main Street Program had the honor of attending the Canton City Council meeting for the official presentation recognizing Downtown Canton as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community!
This recognition celebrates Canton’s continued commitment to downtown revitalization, strong local leadership, historic preservation, and creating a vibrant heart of the community.
Congratulations to the Downtown Canton team, city leaders, partners, and everyone who continues to invest in and champion Downtown Canton. We’re excited to see all that this GEMS community will continue to accomplish! 👏
📸 City of Canton GA Downtown Canton GA
06/03/2026
Summer is the perfect time to show your downtown some love! ☀️
This week, we’re spotlighting Downtown LaGrange with three simple ways to support your local Main Street this season:
🛍️ Shop local — Browse downtown businesses, pick up something special, and support the people behind the storefronts.
🎶 Attend an event — From concerts and markets to community celebrations, showing up helps keep downtown energy alive.
👯 Bring a friend downtown — Invite someone to grab lunch, explore the shops, or spend an afternoon discovering what makes LaGrange special.
Every visit makes a difference. This summer, make plans to support your favorite Georgia Main Street community!
Downtown LaGrange Visit LaGrange
Training Tuesday ✨
Volunteers are at the heart of Main Street success — from events and committees to special projects and everyday community support. But recruiting the right volunteers and keeping them engaged can be one of the biggest challenges for local programs.
This week’s featured Main Street America Academy course, Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention, offers practical tips to help Main Street leaders strengthen their volunteer pipeline, create clear roles, improve onboarding, and build lasting engagement.
Whether your program is looking to grow its volunteer base or better support the people already showing up for your downtown, this 30-minute course is a great place to start.
📚 Course: Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
⏱ Time: 30 minutes
⭐ Skill Level: Starting
🎓 Formal Learning: 100 points
Log in to the Main Street America Academy to take the course!
👉https://academy.mainstreet.org/
06/01/2026
Congratulations to Downtown Monroe, Georgia Main Street’s June 2026 Downtown of the Month! 🎉
Located in the heart of Walton County, Monroe has long been a center of community life, commerce, and local pride. From its historic courthouse square to its beautifully preserved downtown buildings, Monroe continues to honor its past while building an exciting future.
As a 2026 GEMS community, Downtown Monroe is a strong example of leadership, organization, and commitment to the Main Street Approach. Their momentum is clear: in 2025, Monroe welcomed 377,294 attendees through 54 promotional events, supported 1,273 volunteer hours, and reported more than $17 million in public and private investment downtown.
With new and expanding businesses, building rehabilitation projects, public improvements, and a strong sense of place, Downtown Monroe is where history and momentum meet.
We are proud to celebrate the people, partnerships, and progress that make Monroe such a standout in Georgia’s Main Street network! 👏
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60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, GA
30329
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| Monday | 8am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4pm |