Economic development office reports Main Street sale, Elevate workforce program and farmers market outreach

Rochelle Dennis, interim economic development director, presented several updates on downtown projects and programs.

Dennis said the city officially sold 751–771 Main Street (two small white buildings) and delivered keys to buyer Ebony Austin just before the meeting; Austin intends to submit plans and pursue permits. Dennis also announced the city’s new Elevate workforce development program, run by the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency; the partner will occupy a unit at 819 Forest Parkway and the program will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting on April 18 at 10 a.m.

Dennis described a partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clayton State that provides free one‑on‑one business consulting; staff said the city has hosted several sessions. She said the Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring Arts Clayton’s Arte Grama gala and invited board members to attend as the authority’s guests.

Dennis also reported on ongoing conversations about the farmers market redevelopment. She said state agricultural leaders are addressing long‑standing stormwater infrastructure issues that may temporarily displace several businesses that operate on the market’s backside; she and staff are working with market operations staff (Lindsey Brown) to locate space in Forest Park for businesses on the farmers‑market waiting list.

Board members also discussed 850 Main Street, where an authority board member said the interior of the building will be finished imminently and that exterior panels remain delayed; there are multiple spaces for lease, including a proposed coffee shop, ballroom and office suites, and staff said the authority is coordinating with SBDC to help incubate small businesses who might lease space.

The updates were presented as information; no formal action related to those updates is recorded in the transcript.