The Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative empowers cities to shape people-centered spaces that drive economic vitality and civic pride. Through a two-year, cohort-style program, communities work with peers and experts to define their vision, identify assets, and launch placemaking strategies that spark long-term impact.
To support interested cities, we will host a Zoom information session to walk through the application process and answer questions on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET.
The Heart and Soul Downtown Workshop is a hands-on training experience hosted in a Georgia community, where participants learn directly from local leaders about the challenges and successes that shaped their downtown. Through expert-led sessions, peer learning, and practical tools, attendees gain strategies to identify assets, engage stakeholders, and create a clear path for implementation. The next workshop will be held in November 2025, with full details to be announced soon.
Georgia Cities Foundation Loan Programs
The Georgia Cities Foundation offers two loan programs—the Revolving Loan Fund and the State Small Business Credit Initiative fund—that provide critical subordinate gap financing for projects across the state, with a strong focus on rural communities. The Revolving Loan Fund, established over 20 years ago, supports downtown development projects, while the SSBCI fund, made possible through U.S. Treasury resources, allows GCF to lend as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Each program has its own terms, but both provide sub-market rates and flexible financing to help projects succeed that might not otherwise reach their funding goals. For more information, contact GCF staff at gcfloans@gacities.com
Foundation News
Placemakers from across the state convened in Gainesville on August 25th to celebrate GEPC and offer input on the future of the program.The Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative hosted its first-ever Placemakers in Action Alumni & Partner Summit in Gainesville on Monday, August 25. The event brought together alumni cities and statewide partners to reflect on lessons learned, share community success stories, and celebrate the growing impact of placemaking across Georgia. Keynote speaker Bryan Lackey highlighted the importance of strong teams, thoughtful planning, and continued momentum, while alumni presenters from Bainbridge, Fitzgerald, and Adel shared inspiring examples from their downtowns. The Summit strengthened connections among leaders and reinforced the Collaborative’s mission of building vibrant, resilient communities.
The Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) recognized transformative leadership and community revitalization efforts during the 2025 Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Convention Awards Ceremony, held Monday, June 23, at the Savannah Convention Center.
Two awards were presented to individuals whose dedication has significantly impacted their communities and contributed to the betterment of cities across Georgia.
Renaissance Award
Jesup Mayor Ralph Hickox and Wayne County Commissioner Jamie Hickox were named recipients of the 2025 Georgia Cities Foundation Renaissance Award. This honor recognizes individuals or organizations that have made substantial contributions to downtown revitalization in Georgia communities.
Starr Award
Sugar Hill City Manager Paul Radford is the recipient of the 2025 Starr Award. Named in honor of Mike Starr, GCF's first president, it is the foundation's highest recognition for exceptional leadership and innovative urban development. Radford was recognized for his visionary guidance in transforming Sugar Hill into a destination city with a downtown focused on entertainment, dining and connectivity.
Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership
Downtowns are the heart of Georgia’s communities and essential to the long-term prosperity of our cities and state. The Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership was created to strengthen these vital centers through planning, visioning, and community-led development.
Formed from the recommendations of a 2011 statewide task force, the Partnership brings together the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Cities Foundation, and the University of Georgia—working in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Downtown Association. Together, these organizations help cities build capacity, engage local leaders, and create downtown plans that reflect community priorities and have the support of both elected officials and the business community.