Downtown Development Director Amanda Edmonson briefed the Downtown Development Authority on May 8 about ongoing marketing, events and grant activity, including advertising placements, a mural maintenance estimate, workforce-development outreach and incoming grant applications.

Edmonson said the DDA placed a multi-week ad package with Dawson County News (a $2,520 ad running four weeks) and has placed ads with Mountain Traveler and Lake Living. She reported the net DDA investment for a recent joint advertisement after billing was about $270 and noted earned-media coverage from Dawson County News and Neighbors of Dawsonville.

On public art, Edmonson said the DDA received a conservation/refresh quote of $5,000 from Audie Murrell to touch up the original mural and an RFP process is being prepared for a larger “Stories of Dawsonville” mural project that would require Council approval before an RFP is released. Edmonson said a social-media post was used to solicit community fundraising for a mural option but no individual donors had yet committed.

On workforce development, Edmonson said a community-run program under consideration (involving commerce partners and the school system) carries an estimated community fundraising target of about $15,000; she described that amount as a planning estimate and said a local match would be needed if pursued. Edmonson also said the DDA is researching a Levitt Foundation grant that supports community concerts but would require a local match if applied for.

Edmonson and staff also alerted the board that several grant applications are on the horizon: one application from Care for Kids has been submitted and the SIP (an entity referenced in the packet) is preparing an application; additional requests may arrive once the fiscal year opens. She emphasized that grant awards would be considered after funding is received and that the DDA has spent its current-year grant funds.

No formal funding decisions were taken at the meeting. Board members asked staff to include these items on the DDA’s July agenda for further discussion once FY26 funding figures are available from the city budget process.