GEORGIA TECH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE CITY OF WOODBURY, GEORGIA
During the Spring of 2020, the City of Woodbury, located in rural Meriwether County, partnered with Georgia Tech’s Center for Economic Development Research (CEDR) to help a coalition of civic and business leaders develop a strategic assessment to guide the city’s downtown development and economic development efforts. This assessment identified strategic priorities for the local government to use as a roadmap to pursue their economic development and downtown revitalization goals.
The City of Woodbury used this plan to apply for and receive the Georgia Rural Zone designation through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This five-year designation allows Woodbury to offer tax incentives for job creation, commercial investment, and other business activities.
Since Georgia Tech’s work in Woodbury, the city has adopted and begun implementing Georgia Tech’s five-year work plan. The Georgia Rural Zone designation has allowed the city to jumpstart redevelopment and add several new businesses to their historic downtown. The city has also established a Historic Preservation Commission, joined the Georgia Main Street “Start-Up” program, and become a Georgia Certified Local Government. The City of Woodbury received the 2021 Visionary City Award from the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend Magazine. Most recently, Woodbury was designated as one of the next cohort of communities selected for the 2021 Georgia Smart Program.
About the Economic Development Research Program (EDRP)
EDRP is Georgia Tech’s signature program for providing affordable economic development research and analysis capacity for communities that need it the most. EDRP is funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center grant program (Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute is a designated EDA University Center). EDRP is available to eligible communities across eight southeastern U.S. states. To learn more, visit cedr.gatech.edu/edrp.