What is a Main Street City?          

In February of 1989 Vidalia was chosen as one of Georgia's "MAIN STREET" cities, with just a few merchants having a “dream” and stepping up to the plate to accomplish goals of a “historic shopping district" now known as DVA “Main Street” Vidalia. Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1978, the MAIN STREET approach developed new methods of revitalization for maximum success in smaller cities. Today there are 120 Main Street cities in Georgia and over 1000 nationwide, bringing back the charm of our past. The National Trust designated Vidalia as a National Main Street City in 2003. Empty buildings have been filled, new businesses have opened, and existing businesses are expanding. It is true...as in our daily life, you have loss and new birth. We have been blessed and the downtown area has been turned around! We are extremely proud of our economic growth in Vidalia!

We are led by THE MAIN STREET APPROACH ~ OUR VISION, OUR MISSION.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Office of Downtown Development CONGRATULATES VIDALIA MAIN STREET

Congratulations on your successes and efforts over the last year! Your assessment review has been submitted to the National Main Street Center and the list of Georgia Accredited programs was acknowledged during the opening session of the National Main Street Conference held in Philadelphia. The VIDALIA MAIN STREET program was recognized at Mayor's Day in Atlanta in January 2010 as being designated 20 years.We would like to commend the program for the professionalism exhibited. The program presentation reflects the passion and sincere commitment of the organization to positively impact downtown development in Vidalia.

MAIN STREET/BETTER HOMETOWN ~ Assessment of 9 Standards

1) Has broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process with active participation for both the public and private sectors

2)  Has developed vision and mission statements relevant to the community conditions and to the local Main Street program's organizational stage

3)  Has an annual comprehensive Main Street work plan based on the 4 Point Approach

4)  Possesses a historic preservation ethic

5)  Has an active board of directors, committees, and volunteers utilizing the 4 Point Approach

6)  Has an operating budget with income from a variety of sources

7)  Has a paid professional program manager

8)  Participates in or provides on-going training for staff, board, government officials, and volunteers

9)  Reports key statistics in a timely manner

If a program meets the above 9 criteria and is a current member of the National Trust's Main Street Network, the program can be nominated to be certified as a National Main Street Community.

Vidalia has achieved the nomination and designation since 2003, when the program was implemented.

 Downtown Revitalization Benefits

(Statistics taken from STATE MAIN STREET)

1st...City government

2nd...Building owners

3rd...Financial institutions

4th...Merchants

5th...Customers

6th...Total community

7th...Utility companies