Callaway Foundation, 2007

The Callaway Foundation was selected as the recipient of the Georgia Cities Foundation's "Renaissance Award." The Callaway Foundation accepted the award at the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Convention in Savannah on June 24.

The Renaissance Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the revitalization of one or more of Georgia's cities. In choosing the Callaway Foundation, the selection committee noted how Callaway not only committed more than $12 million to downtown LaGrange, but also encouraged others to invest in the area, resulting in a significant revitalization of the downtown. 

The Callaway Foundation has provided funding for the City's community master plan with a special emphasis on the central business district as well as providing a $4.5 million grant to the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority that aided in acquiring and rehabilitating the Belk building that now houses 3 business and has generated 42 employees in the downtown district. Additionally the organization helped to create the Promenade, a pedestrian walkway that connects businesses with one another and a 300 space parking deck downtown.

"What the Callaway Foundation has done for downtown LaGrange is phenomenal," said Georgia Cities Foundation President Mike Starr. "The commitment that the Callaway Foundation has provided for the city is something we wish every city in Georgia could have. Through a successful partnership with the city of LaGrange, the Callaway Foundation has helped to make downtown LaGrange a destination."