Vidalia Main Street
A Great Place to Stop,
Shop, Eat and Play
Vidalia Main Street receives 2018
National Main Street accreditation
Leading downtown to higher levels
by Paula Dees-Toole, Executive Director
Serving you is what we do
In 2018, the City of Vidalia’s MAIN
STREET PROGRAM is leading our downtown
to a great future. Our Downtown Vidalia
Association membership organization will
function as we have in the past…a Main Street
Director, Board of Directors and a voice to
city government through the MAIN STREET
office and program. Our Mayor Ronnie Dixon,
city council and city manager Nick Overstreet
is on board and excited about the future of
our “Sweet Onion City”. We invite you to
stay connected and let us serve you as we
grow together. Excitement is in the air as we
approach the grand opening of our historic
theatre. The power of Main Street shines across
the country through vibrant communities,
who have all worked to generate impressive
economic returns, preserve community
character, and celebrate local history. With
pride, we can say, “Vidalia is one of those
cities.”
We all know being a Main Street Director
is a challenge on many levels, but the passion I
have for this position and creating change runs
deep!
Thank you for your support and allowing
me to meet this challenge.
DESTINATION
VIDALIA MAIN STREET & BEYOND
From the
President’s desk…
Tish Holland
Who doesn’t love a lively, thriving
downtown area, with the bonus of small town
charm? Making and keeping a downtown
healthy and inviting takes a lot of work. I
would like to say “Thank you” to those of
you who have committed to partner with the
Downtown Vidalia Association this year and
the many people who choose to shop at home.
Your investment in the local family owned
businesses, DVA and our Main Street Program
is a witness to the fact that “WE ALL” play
a role in creating and sustaining a thriving
downtown for locals and tourists. Downtowns
are a window into a city’s identity.
Several studies have shown that when
you buy from an independent, locally owned
business, a significant portion of your money
goes back into the local economy—further
strengthening the economic base of the
whole community. Every purchase makes a
difference.
I am excited to say that our team did
a great job during the 41st Vidalia Onion
Festival frying up the delicious onion rings!
We appreciate the efforts of our promotions
committee, the many volunteers and local
businesses that helped make this event
possible. Now it’s to begin planning for the
Downtown Spooktacular held in October--
start perfecting the apple pies and choosing
the costumes for all those little ones!
If you have a desire to champion this
cause, we invite you to contact us for more
information. Our board and committee
members are volunteers who live, work, shop
and serve right here at home.
There’s no place like home!
Vidalia, GA MAIN STREET has been
designated as an accredited Main Street
America™ program for meeting rigorous
performance standards set by the National
Main Street Center. Each year, the Center and
its Coordinating Program partners announce
the list of accredited Main Street America
programs.
“We are thrilled to honor this year’s 829
nationally accredited Main Street America
programs for their commitment to preservationbased
economic development and the
revitalization of their commercial districts,”
said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the
National Main Street Center. “The power of
Main Street shines across the country through
these vibrant communities, who have all worked
to generate impressive economic returns,
preserve community character, and celebrate
local history.”
In 2017, Main Street America programs
generated $4.48 billion in local reinvestment,
helped open 6,211 net new businesses,
generated 30,294 net new jobs, catalyzed the
rehabilitation of 8,737 historic buildings, and
clocked 2.7 million volunteer hours.
The Downtown Vidalia Association
performance is annually evaluated by Vidalia
Main Street, in partnership with the National
Main Street Center, to identify the local
programs that meet ten national performance
standards. Evaluation criteria determines the
communities that are building comprehensive
and sustainable revitalization efforts and
include standards such as fostering strong
public-private partnerships, documenting
programmatic progress, and actively preserving
historic buildings.
Paula Dees-Toole, Executive Director said,
“Downtown is the center of community activity
with a rich heritage and unique shopping
experiences. The revitalization of our downtown
district by private investors and The City of
Vidalia over the years has created a Southern
town with charm and character.”
Tish Holland, President of Vidalia Main
Street said, “Investment in our Main Street
Program is witness to the fact that we all play a
role in creating a thriving downtown for locals
and tourist. As a collective group of members
we have a shared focus and purpose to promote,
maintain and encourage the civic, social,
commercial, tourist and economic welfare of
downtown Vidalia.”
Main Street America has been helping
revitalize older and historic commercial
districts for more than 35 years. Today, it is
a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods
and communities, rural and urban, who share
a commitment to build stronger communities
through preservation-based economic
development.
Join our team Main Street members enjoy
numerous benefits…just
being connected helps you
accomplish your goals
98 Toombs County Magazine