DOWNTOWN GRAY
Main Street Gray has come a long way since its beginning as Gray Station Better Hometown more than 20 years ago to being named the Main Street of the Month for September by the Georgia Main Street program.
Main Street Gray is led by Ashley Roberson, who is the organization’s first full-time director. She was appointed to the position in March of 2022 and has surpassed all expectations.
Gray Downtown Development Authority Chairman Sherri Rollins has worked closely with Roberson since her appointment. She said the director is doing a great job promoting the City of Gray.
“She joins businesses together for special events, creating a spirit of community, and she is not afraid of learning. Ashley attends Georgia Department of Community Affairs classes and constantly shares new ideas,” Rollins said.
The chairman said Robinson brings excitement and creative ideas to the planning table.
“Gray is very blessed to have Ashley as the Main Street Director.I encourage everyone to get involved in the Main Street events.You will meet lots of wonderful people,” she said.
Gray Mayor Pro Tem James Collins serves as chairman of the city’s PLAN committee and has worked with Roberson on several projects promoting the city.
“ Over the last few years, city council has made some big investments in downtown Gray, but by far, the best move we made was naming Ashley Roberson the Main Street director. She has worked hard to make sure our investment paid off and has been a star in the Main Street program,” he said.
The program started in 2002 as Gray Station Better Hometown under the leadership of Pat Daniels, who led the organization and put together the first Daylily Festival in 2004. Daniels retired in 2010. The Daylily Festival continued until 2017.
Daniels was part-time as were all the directors who would follow her for two decades. Those directors were Heather Busby (2010 -2012), Jennifer Baggarly (2013-2014) and Haley Watson.
In July of 2013, the name of the state program changed, and the city changed from Gray Station Better Hometown to Main Street Gray. Watson was named the Main Street Gray Director in 2014 and in 2016 she added the part time duties of Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce to her plate.
The Main Street Board and Chamber Board of Directors were merged after Watson took on the dual roles, and Main Street became a subcommittee of the chamber.
Watson resigned from both positions in 2022, which resulted in big changes for Main Street Gray.
City Council members made the decision to separate the two entities and hired Roberson as the first full-time Main Street Gray Director in March of 2022. Gray Downtown Development Authority members also agreed to serve as the Main Street Board of Directors.
The change to a fulltime position has paid off with the accreditation of Main Street Gray in February and now recognition from the state.
This year’s Main Street events have included the Hometown Spring Festival, Gray Farmers Market and monthly Fridays on Main. “The Not-so-Scary Grayberry Spectacular” is scheduled Oct. 21, and the Hometown Christmas Market will take place Nov. 25, both in downtown Gray.
After being notified about the selection of Main Street Gray as the September Main Street of the month, Roberson expressed her appreciation to the Georgia Main Street program staff and others who helped make the program a success.
“Our Main Street program has evolved so much over the past year and a half, and it would not have happened so seamlessly without the help of the Georgia Main Street Program staff. I am proud to be a part of the amazing network of Main Street Directors across the State of Georgia who understand, support and cheer each other on,” she said.
Roberson said, though Gray is small, its downtown district is full of wonderful, locally-owned businesses that love supporting each other.
“Our Downtown Development Authority has worked tirelessly to make our city a beautiful place to live, work and visit. I am so thankful for the amount of love and support Main Street Gray has received from our Mayor, City Council and of our incredible residents,” the director added.
