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Main Street director asks City Council for modest funds to boost downtown events and upkeep
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Summary
Jennifer Stasi, the Main Street director, told the City Council she needs modest recurring funding for staff training, events and contractual labor to maintain downtown Milledgeville and support local businesses; she specified requests of $2,000 for training, $10,000 for advertising/preparation and $5,000 for contractual labor.
Jennifer Stasi, introduced by the city manager as the Main Street director, asked the City Council on April 28 for modest additional funds to expand downtown services and programming.
"First, I'm requesting additional funding for education and professional training," Stasi said, noting the program requires a minimum of 30 hours of training per year. She said those hours and other professional development will align the program with state and national Main Street best practices.
Stasi laid out three budget priorities she said work together to strengthen downtown: training, events and beautification. She argued that "downtown Milledgeville is one of our strongest economic development tools," adding that vibrant downtown activity "directly supports our small businesses, increases foot traffic, enhances property values, and strengthens our community identity."
When council members asked for numbers, Stasi said she had reallocated existing funds as much as possible and then requested specific amounts: education and training $2,000; advertising and preparation $10,000; and contractual services and labor $5,000 to support planting and maintenance of downtown planters. She described efforts to recruit community members to "adopt" planters and said some volunteers are doing well while others need supplemental support.
The council did not take a formal vote on Stasi's requests during the presentation; members asked follow-up questions and suggested pursuing grant opportunities through Georgia Main Street and the Department of Community Affairs to offset event costs.
The request will be considered as part of the council's overall FY 2026–27 budget deliberations.
