The Downtown Statesboro Development Authority (DSDA) will welcome downtown economic development professionals from across Georgia to Statesboro October 6–8 as part of the 2026 Mobilize Main Street professional development training offered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development.
The three-day training will spotlight the work underway in Downtown Statesboro and Downtown Vidalia, giving participants an opportunity to learn directly from the community leaders, developers, property owners, business owners and downtown organizations driving revitalization in each community.
For the DSDA, the event provides an opportunity to showcase Statesboro’s approach to downtown development, including public-private partnerships, redevelopment, incentives, placemaking, entrepreneurship, housing and continued investment in the historic commercial district.
“Mobilize Main Street is an opportunity for us to tell the story of what’s happening in Downtown Statesboro and, more importantly, to share the partnerships that make these projects possible,” said Allen Muldrew, Executive Director of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority. “Our downtown continues to evolve because property owners, businesses, community partners and local government are willing to invest in the district and work together.”
A Hands-On Look at Downtown Development
Mobilize Main Street is designed around learning from fellow downtown development professionals. Rather than simply presenting development concepts in a classroom, participants will experience projects firsthand through presentations, walking tours and conversations with the people responsible for bringing them to life.
The Statesboro portion of the training will highlight the DSDA’s role in supporting downtown investment and creating an environment where businesses, property owners and development partners can participate in the continued revitalization of the district.
Participants will hear from DSDA leadership, the City of Statesboro and local property owners before touring a range of downtown projects and businesses.
Among the featured areas and projects will be the Boro Blue Mile, BiG in Downtown Statesboro, the railroad trail, Art Park, Dog Park, residential development along Cherry Street and Broad Street, the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market, the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, the West District and several downtown businesses.
The program will also include a closer look at downtown incentives and redevelopment tools, providing participants with practical examples of how Statesboro is encouraging investment in its downtown.
Statesboro Program Highlights
The Statesboro experience will begin Tuesday evening, October 6, with a networking event at Boro the Hatchet in downtown Statesboro.
On Thursday, October 8, participants will begin the day at BiG in Downtown Statesboro, where DSDA leadership and community partners will provide an overview of downtown development initiatives.
The morning will include presentations from the DSDA, Mile City of Statesboro, The Blue Mile and local property owners, followed by a walking tour through the downtown district.
Participants will travel along the railroad trail toward the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market and Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, highlighting public spaces, recreational amenities, residential development and other investments contributing to the district’s continued growth.
The program will then move to the West District Statesboro, where participants will learn more about redevelopment, the area’s investment strategy and available incentives. Additional stops will showcase local businesses and downtown redevelopment projects, including Whitfield Developments, Trellis Pilates, GG’s Forever, Little Harts and The Archive.
The tour will conclude with time for participants to explore and shop throughout Downtown Statesboro.
Learning From Statesboro and Vidalia
The 2026 Mobilize Main Street training will also feature Downtown Vidalia on Wednesday, October 7. Participants will explore Vidalia’s downtown projects and initiatives before returning to Statesboro for an evening networking reception.
By featuring both communities, the training will provide participants with two distinct examples of how Georgia communities are approaching downtown revitalization, investment and economic development.
For the DSDA, hosting Mobilize Main Street is an opportunity to demonstrate that downtown revitalization is an ongoing process built on collaboration and sustained investment.
“Downtown Statesboro is a reflection of the people who continue to believe in its potential,” Muldrew said. “We’re excited to share what we’ve learned, highlight the investments being made today and give other downtown professionals an opportunity to see these projects firsthand.”
About the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority
The Downtown Statesboro Development Authority/ Main Street Statesboro is committed to the economic development, historic preservation and beautification of Statesboro’s downtown area. The purpose is to revitalize downtown economically and socially within the context of historic preservation by increasing financial viability and ensuring the success of businesses.
About Mobilize Main Street
Mobilize Main Street is an immersive professional development training offered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development for downtown-focused economic developers. Grounded in peer-to-peer learning, the program provides participants with On-site education about project structure, public and private investment, best practices, funding and incentive mechanisms, and partnership opportunities.
Through a combination of presentations and mobile tours, participants hear directly from developers, business owners, city leadership and Main Street professionals about the strategies, partnerships and investments behind successful downtown projects.
2026 Mobilize MS One Pagers Statesboro more information contact the DSDA at statesborodowntown.com