Strengthening Georgia's cities, one place at a time.
Founded in 2018, the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative empowers communities to transform local assets into vibrant, inclusive places that drive economic growth and civic pride. Over the past several years, the Collaborative has partnered with 21 cities across the state, equipping local leaders with the tools, expertise, and partnerships needed to create sustainable, people-centered development.
About the Collaborative
The Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative is a two-year, place-based economic development initiative designed to help cities reimagine and reinvest in their public spaces. Participating communities gain access to expert facilitation, technical assistance, and a strong peer network while identifying strategies that reflect their unique culture, history, and vision for the future. At its core, the Collaborative emphasizes equity and inclusivity, ensuring that diverse voices shape the projects that define a city’s identity.
How it Works
The Collaborative follows a two-year framework:
- Year One: Education, visioning, and planning — cities explore placemaking concepts, engage residents, and develop a shared vision.
- Year Two: Development, funding, and implementation — communities move from ideas to action with targeted projects that strengthen their downtowns and neighborhoods.
Each participating city forms a community team made up of elected officials, city staff, business and nonprofit leaders, and residents. With support from the Collaborative, these teams design and advance projects that reflect the character and aspirations of their community.
The Community Teams
Assembling a diverse community team is required for cities to participate in the Collaborative. Each community team consists of: elected officials, city staff, members of downtown development organizations, chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, local associations, business owners/operators, and residents. The Collaborative assists the community teams in identifying projects that reflect the unique cultural and historic character of the community.
Join the Collaborative
Cities of all sizes and demographics are encouraged to participate. By joining, communities gain the knowledge, resources, and partnerships to turn local ideas into transformative projects. The Collaborative provides both structure and flexibility, allowing each city to tailor its placemaking approach while benefiting from statewide expertise and peer learning.
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort. Please contact Tara Bradshaw for additional information at tbradshaw@gacities.com.
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.
