At the December 5, 2019 Mayor and Council Meeting, the Georgia Main Street program recognized the City of Acworth as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street community. Georgia’s Exceptional Main Street communities, also known as GEMS, represent some of the best Main Street Programs that the state has to offer. These Main Streets have gone above and beyond expectations by making a strong and positive impact in their communities. Acworth is now one of eighteen Georgia cities recognized with the GEMS distinction.
The Director of the Office of Downtown Development with Georgia Department of Community Affairs Jessica Reynolds addressed Mayor and Council at the December meeting to relay the mission of the Georgia Main Street program and the significance of Acworth’s GEMS recognition. Ms. Reynolds congratulated Acworth on the “commitment to excellence and stable leadership” that led to this designation. Over the past three years, Downtown Acworth has seen $21 million in private and public investment, with 13 new business openings with 43 new jobs created, and Main Street events have attracted over 140,000 visitors to Downtown Acworth. Ms. Reynolds presented the city with a gateway sign to recognize the GEMS designation. The sign reads, “Welcome to Downtown Acworth, a Georgia Exceptional Main Street City!” These signs will be displayed throughout Historic Downtown and the Parkside Redevelopment.
Acworth’s GEMS designation would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Acworth Parks, Recreation, and Community Resource Assistant Director of Operations and DDA Director Jeff Chase, and all of the other boards and commissions that contribute their time and energy to the city.