While serving as President of the Historic Downtown Canton Association, I was surprised to receive a letter from the City of Canton. It was from Mayor Gene Hobgood inviting me to a meeting of a committee he was forming to help with his goal of revitalizing Downtown.
He invited representatives from every group with a stake in Downtown, such as the Cherokee County Arts Council, the Cherokee County Historical Society, Canton Tourism, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Historic Downtown Canton Association (I’m sure I’m forgetting someone).
The Canton Consolidating Committee met to share ideas and strategies to help Downtown return to its former glory. We soon concluded that the best way to move forward was to join the Main Street Program. Per Georgiamainstreet.org, “The Georgia Main Street Program began in 1980 as one of the original pilot state coordinating programs of the National Main Street Initiative launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
Main Street provides a proven method of helping communities revitalize their Downtowns, as well as training and support for the volunteers and staff.
The members of the Consolidating Committee formed the first Main Street Board. I was honored to serve as treasurer of that board until I had to resign after my election to Canton City Council. I also drafted the bylaws and secured the board’s 501(c)6 status.
During my time with the board we created the Canton Farmer’s Market, First Friday, Valentine Chocolate Walk, Art Walks, and many other events. We provided support and assistance to the effort to create Fincher-Adkins Park, among other projects.
I am very proud of our efforts’ lasting impact, and I look forward to seeing Canton continue the great work I helped start.
Next up: City Council
