Greensboro readies for Trick or Treat and the Christmas Season
 
Fall is here, the holidays are near, and Greensboro is busy preparing for plenty of excitement over the next few months in Lake Oconee’s Hometown.   

Just around the corner is the annual Downtown Trick or Treat from 5-7 pm on October 29.  Downtown Trick or Treat provides families with a safe environment to participate in the tradition of Trick or Treat.  The event is made possible by the participation of generous downtown Greensboro merchants.  Be sure to stop in for treats and goodies for children age twelve and under.
Soon after the cornstalks are removed, Greensboro will decorate with garland and lights since there are only a few weeks until Christmas.  Downtown Greensboro is already working to help you and your family enjoys the holidays in your hometown! 

The downtown businesses will kick off the season with the Merchant’s Holiday Open House on November 14.  Get a head start on your shopping in Lake Oconee’s Hometown. Expect to find complimentary gift-wrap, hot cider, and other surprises to make your shopping experience more enjoyable. You will not want to miss the great items our local stores will have to share.
Don’t miss Small Business Saturday on November 28 in Downtown Greensboro. Local merchants have partnered with American Express to promote shopping local. Make sure to shop early to get your Shop Small bag.

The Lighting of the Tree celebration will take place from 6-8 pm on the evening of Friday, December 4.  Mark your calendars!  Santa will be available for children to visit, there will be an old-fashioned hay ride through town, and your favorite holiday tunes will be sung ‘round the tree!  Come early and enjoy dinner from D’Lish Bistro or The Yesterday Cafe while local choirs and choral groups preform throughout the evening.

Local organizations and non-profits are invited to participate in the event by offering winter goodies such as hot chocolate, baked goods, or other holiday favorites.  Choirs and choral groups are invited to carol the historic downtown throughout the evening.  To register your organization, please contact the Main Street office at (706) 453-7674.

​Downtown Greensboro invites you to join us for fun and excitement in Lake Oconee’s Hometown throughout the fall and holiday seasons.  For more information about downtown Greensboro or for upcoming event information visit www.GreensboroHoliday.com. 

Greensboro Prepares for a Fun Time
 
(Greensboro, Ga. – October 8, 2015)  Kids and their families who are searching for a fun place to take part in the tradition of Trick or Treat can look to downtown Greensboro for a hauntingly good time!
Downtown Trick or Treat will take place from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 29 in historic downtown Greensboro.  Many of Greensboro’s downtown merchants are ready to open their doors to children for the evening to help provide our community with a safe place to take part in the tradition of trick or treating.  Downtown store fronts and windows are decorated for the season and the merchants are ready for a scare as more than five hundred costumed Treat or Treaters are expected in downtown during the event.
Treaters should begin their evening with a visit to the Trick-or-Treat check-in tent on the courthouse lawn.  They will be given a free trick or treat bag, a treat and a list of participating businesses.  From there, children can head out to participating businesses for a treat and maybe a scare – as many merchants will be wearing costumes of their own! 
Downtown Trick or Treat is for children ages twelve and under.  Parents please escort your children to ensure a safe and fun time for all!  While you’re in town Mom and Dad, be sure to check out the unique shopping that downtown Greensboro has to offer.
Downtown Trick or Treat provides an opportunity for the downtown community to thank all of Greensboro for their patronage throughout the year.  For more information about Downtown Trick or Treat visit www.DowntownGreensboroGA.com
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​(October 8, 2015 – Greensboro, GA)   The City of Greensboro has received a 2015 Redevelopment Fund grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers the program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Greensboro was one of 79 Georgia communities awarded this year.
 
“Strong, vibrant communities help attract companies to the state,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “The projects funded by this program will enhance the quality of life for Georgians while supporting job growth and economic development. By leveraging this funding with private investment and local funds, small and rural communities are able to maximize the opportunities afforded by the CDBG program and strengthen the foundation for a prosperous business climate."


The grant funds will be allocated to the Greensboro Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and provided as a low-interest loan to Lake Country Brewing.  As loan payments are made back to the DDA, the funds may be used to make additional low-interest loans to future business start-ups in the downtown.  Lake Country Brewing will occupy the former Chero Cola building on West Street near the city’s old train depot. 
 
The grant award was presented to the city by DCA Commissioner Camila Knowles in a ceremony hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in Jekyll Island, Ga., on September 11.  The award was accepted on behalf of the city by Larry Postell, City Manager and Cail Hammons, Community Development Director and on behalf of Lake Country Brewing by John and Nathan McGarity.

Sixty-six Georgia communities received almost $31.9 million in CDBG funds for infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization, and centers that will serve Georgia’s neediest citizens. In addition, $5.5 million in CDBG Employment Incentive Program (EIP) and Redevelopment Fund (RDF) funding was awarded to 13 Georgia communities to invest in economic development and redevelopment projects that are creating 640 jobs and more than $199 million in private investment.
 

Dalton, Greensboro, Lithonia, Pembroke and Roswell complete 3-year program
which helps communities address housing needs

​(ATLANTA – 10/14/15)  – Local leaders from the cities of Dalton, Greensboro, Lithonia, Pembroke and Roswell were recognized for their communities’ completion of the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program at a retreat and awards presentation held Sept. 22-24 in Tifton. Ten additional Georgia communities are set to complete the program by 2017.
 
The 2015 GICH awards were presented by Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Deputy Commissioner for Housing Carmen Chubb, University of Georgia (UGA) Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Associate Vice President Steve Dempsey, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Executive Deputy Director Bill Thornton, Georgia Power Company Community and Economic Development Senior Urban Advisor Steve Foster, and UGA Archway Partnership Operations Coordinator Sue Chapman.
 
Launched in 2004, GICH helps communities improve their quality of life and economic vitality through the development of housing and revitalization strategies. GICH offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance. During a community’s participation, team members work to create and launch a locally-based plan to meet local housing needs. GICH grew out of Georgia’s experience with the National League of Cities’ Affordable Housing Program. 
 
DCA, along with GMA and UGA’s Housing and Demographics Research Center (HDRC), serve as GICH’s primary partners. The program is funded by Georgia Power and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development through a Rural Community Development Initiative grant. The Georgia Electric Membership Corporation serves as GICH’s implementation partner.



Ten more Georgia communities pick GICH’s expertise to address local housing needs
 
Other communities throughout Georgia have also been quick to recognize the GICH’s value. The cities of Albany, Douglasville, Perry, Porterdale and Rincon were accepted into the program in 2013 and are scheduled to complete the program in 2016.


The communities of Cedartown, Liberty County, Madison, Pine Mountain and Trion were added to the program class of 2014 and are set to satisfy the requirements of the program in 2017.


GICH accepts applications from prospective program participants each year in early September.  For additional information about GICH, contact Program Director Karen Tinsley at 706-542-4949 or klt@uga.edu or visit http://www.fcs.uga.edu/hace/hdrc/gich/index.html.