Monticello Is ‘Better Hometown’

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) completed its assessment on March 16 of Monticello’s Better Hometown program and re-certified our community as one of Georgia’s 58 Better Hometowns for 2005, according to Sage Edwards, Better Hometown Director.

“We look at the program across 10 criteria,” reports Alan Dicker-son, DCA Downtown Regional Representative. “Monticello was particularly strong in its broad base of support from the community and its historic preservation ethic,” he added.

The Better Hometown effort supports the local merchants, supports the annual Deer Festival and encourages activities that bring people into the central commercial district. The next initiative for downtown is to bring the Farmer’s Market to the Square in May. The market will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“We know that healthy downtowns are key to community prosperity. National statistics report that on the average for every $1 spent downtown approximately $39 is generation in the community,” explains Mayor Susan Holmes.

“Sage Edwards is program manager as of mid-March. Her goal will be to generate activities and get community involvement,” Mayor Holmes said.
Monticello will officially receive its recognition at the Georgia Municipal Association conference in June. This is the fifth year the city has been designated a Better Hometown.