DOWNTOWN GRAY
The final meeting of the year for Gray’s Downtown Development Authority began and ended on a positive note.
The Dec. 12 meeting was called to order by Chairman Sherri Rollins. After approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, the first agenda item was the financial report.
Recording secretary Ashley Roberson said the bank balance was $133,876.
Rollins went over the budget that showed the overall yearto- date income over budget.
The revenue for Butler Hall was $97,850.
“We are doing well,” the chairman said.
Roberson gave an update for the event venue. She said there had been nine events so far this month, and 18 were already scheduled for 2024.
“We had a little lull with calls in November, but it has picked back up,” she said.
Rollins said repairs on the agenda for rental properties on Ross Street were scheduled for January or February at the convenience of the businesses.
She added that the two EV chargers at Butler Hall should be up and going next week.
“There is definitely interest; we’ve already seen people parking there,” she said.
DDA members were emailed copies of the 2024 budget with meeting materials, and Rollins asked for any questions or comments. The budget for rental income was set at $165,300 with $100,000 of that estimated for Butler Hall.
The chairman said the rest of the budget was in line with this year with small increases in expenses built in for inflation.
DDA Member Vicki Ethridge made the motion to adopt the 2024 budget, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The next item was the election of 2024 DDA officers. Ethridge quickly made a motion to keep the same officers – Rollins, chairman; Alan Childs, vice chairman; and Cecil Ethridge, treasurer.
The vote to approve was unanimous. All accepted the positions.
Roberson also serves as Main Street Gray Director. Rollins noted that the DDA is also the Main Street Gray board.
“We are blessed to be your board,” she said to Roberson.
Main Street
Roberson presented the Main Street Gray report.
She said she was excited that Main Street Gray has been nominated as the Civic Organization of the Year by the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce.
The director said a new category for the Chamber awards this year was the Main Street Gray Small Business of the Year, with seven downtown businesses nominated. Forms to vote for the awards can be found on the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
“I think all of our businesses are excited about that,” the director said.
Roberson said it is great to work with Chamber Executive Director Hailey Robinson and Jones County Development Authority Executive Director Haley Watson. She said Robinson also has the role of Keep Jones Beautiful Director, and she sits on that board representing the city.
Vicki Ethridge said it is nice to see all the boards working together, and Roberson agreed.
“It’s working as it should be,” she said.
The director said the Main Street program is under the Georgia Downtown Association, and Gray is part of the mentoring program. She said her mentor is Carlee Schulte, director of Main Street Milledgeville. She explained that works well because the two organizations are structured alike with DDA members serving as Main Street boards.
Roberson asked board members for a work session next month to work on Main Street Gray’s strategic plan. Rollins suggested making it a lunch meeting, and the members were in agreement.
Roberson said she attended a downtown merchant’s meeting, and they are considering changes to Fridays on Main. She said attendance had varied, and they did not want to conflict with sporting events.
Rollins said sometimes events become routine and then are not as special.
Roberson said Main Street Gray is planning to partner with Jones County Parks and Recreation next summer with summer movies at the W.E. Knox Center for students.
She said they are also looking at a possible pumpkin patch downtown in the fall and a fall festival.
The director said the Hometown Christmas Market went well.
“We got good feedback and had good participation for the tree lighting,” she said.
Roberson said the Jones County High School outdoor wrestling match was a good event and is planned again for next year.
Rollins said she has heard nothing but good comments about the events.
“You are doing a great job,” she said.
Roberson said she is getting a Work-Based Learning student to help her starting in January for three hours a day, five days a week. She said she has been trying to work with JCHS as much as she can.
“I am hoping the student can help me with social media,” the director said.
Chair comments
Rollins thanked board members for a successful year.
“We are blessed to be a part of Main Street and to work with leaders in the community. We are also thankful for the support of city council members,” she said.
The chairman said, with the council’s help, they are able to give back to the community. She said she received calls from people and businesses who want to be downtown.
“The community seems excited about what is going on,” Rollins said. “When you ride through small towns in Georgia, Gray stands out.”
