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Dawsonville DDA sets $10,000 advertising pool, approves newspaper cooperative ad
Summary
The DDA approved a $10,000 flexible advertising allocation to support concerts, downtown promotion and regional outreach, and the board approved a cooperative newspaper ad program to be offered to downtown businesses.
The Downtown Development Authority voted to set aside $10,000 for advertising and promotions during 2025 and approved moving forward with a cooperative newspaper ad program that will pool business contributions to buy regional print advertising.
Amanda Edmonson outlined multiple regional and local advertising options including Discover North Georgia placements (welcome center distribution), local newspapers, niche publications such as the Smoke Signal and Front Gate (Big Canoe area), and digital billboards along U.S.‑441/GA‑400 corridors. Board members discussed cost examples: one vendor cited roughly $2,000 per month for a single billboard and newspapers vary by insertion size and timing. The DDA agreed to leave the allocation flexible so staff could act quickly on short‑deadline opportunities and to create advertising "packages" (small, medium, large) to guide buys.
Jonathan Campbell moved to designate $10,000 from the DDA advertising budget for use throughout the year; Mary Wright seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
Separately, the board approved a cooperative newspaper ad program modeled on the DDA’s billboard effort. Dwight Gilliland moved and Tasha Howell seconded the motion to proceed with a joint ad contract for local print media; the motion passed. Edmonson said staff will reach out to interested businesses and manage contracts, and the DDA will provide project management and partial facilitation for businesses that want to participate.
Board members asked staff to provide cost estimates for specific outlets and to circulate suggested advertising packages before the next meeting. Members also discussed using digital donation and QR‑based promotion in concert marketing and combining advertising for events and ongoing downtown branding.
