The beginning of the DDA

Susanne Reynolds
Jun 26
3 min read

In keeping up with “history lessons” associated with the development authorities of Early County, this week is all about the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Blakely or just simply, “The Blakely DDA.” It’s the most recently activated authority in our community.

There are records showing a Downtown Development Authority was activated by the City of Blakely in 1981, which was when the State of Georgia created the Downtown Development Law. This gave every city in the state the ability to “activate” its DDA to revitalize and redevelop central business districts for trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities to provide a better quality of life for the public. Many local downtown development authorities were created in 1981 because of the new law. From my understanding, somewhere along the way – Blakely’s 1981 DDA became inactive in the 1990s. It would not be until June 6, 2023, that the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Blakely would be activated again for the same purpose.

Historic Downtown Blakely has always been the “centerpiece” of our community. There was much talk from the general public and local leadership on how to bring more vibrancy to it after many years of stagnation. Initially, the Development Authority of Early County was going to assist in downtown revitalization through the establishment of a facade grant program; however, it would not have been the appropriate “authority” to carry out this mission.

Two years ago on June 6, the City of Blakely activated the DDA and appointed 7 members to the board. On June 26, the board held its first meeting and has been meeting regularly ever since. To kickstart the revitalization of Downtown – the City of Blakely approved to allot funding to its new authority for both FY2023 and FY2024. This greatly helped in professionally launching the DDA.

Within the first six months, the board held a strategic planning session with the Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Power Community & Economic Development to establish a clear mission statement that would resonate well and concisely with its downtown goals and objectives: The mission of the Downtown Development Authority of Blakely is to create opportunities, improve current businesses and promote Downtown Blakely. The board also completed its required state-mandated training, established bylaws and a visual identity.

Luckily, with the research and documentation that was a requirement for the Rural Zone application put together in 2023, the board already had a working draft for the Downtown Blakely Masterplan (more on this later!).

Much has been accomplished in the past two years and if I was to try to name everything – almost the entire page would be filled. A few of the most notable include the successful 52-Week Gun Raffle, which raised over $30,000 for downtown revitalization; the local facade grant program that helps partially fund select exterior improvements in the historic district; and the Farmers Market – which continues to shine as the most well-organized, attended and supported farmers market in the region.

This is just the beginning for Downtown Blakely. I can’t wait to see the progress it will make in another 2 to 5 years. For more information on the legacy it is currently building, visit www.downtownblakely.com.

Published in the Early County News on June 10, 2025.