The Downtown Development Authority voted to adopt a regional marketing plan that includes a mix of print placements and reserves money for social media and event‑specific advertising. The DDA approved the plan that omits the Discover North Georgia insert, producing a plan total of $3,552.

DDA Director Amanda Edmonson told the board the DDA initially budgeted $10,000 for marketing and that the proposal excluding Discover North Georgia would leave roughly $6,500 for other opportunities such as billboards, boosted social posts, or event‑specific placements. “If we take the Discover North Georgia out, then it's 3,500. So that means we got, what, like, 6,500 left over,” Edmonson said in discussion of the proposed allocations.

Board members debated print reach versus social‑media targeting. Several members argued that a publisher's claimed Facebook following would not automatically translate to earned social impressions for the DDA and suggested the DDA keep funds available to pay for targeted social advertising when specific events—such as upcoming concerts—require paid boosts. Jacob Evans, the city's assistant city manager, was asked to look into restoring the downtown Instagram/Facebook presence; staff noted the DDA currently maintains Instagram but not Facebook because of an account authentication issue.

Mary Wright moved to approve the second plan (excluding Discover North Georgia) at the $3,552 total; Chris Sheets seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board instructed staff to retain remaining marketing funds for event promotion, potential billboards and targeted social advertising, and to report back on placement logistics and any additional distribution options (for example, visitor center brochure placements) at a future meeting.