Downtown Cornelia is a center of activity and economic development. Residents and visitors of all ages and cultures are choosing to live, shop, and work downtown.
To continue developing a vibrant commercial base centered on tourism and retail growth, while maintaining the peace and tranquility of our small town charm.
Note: Board meetings are open to the public.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Cornelia DDA is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.
| Name | Title | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heath Barrett | Chairman | Owner of Allstate- The Barrett Agency | scottbarrett1@allstate.com | 706-939-1111 |
| Frank Wolf | Vice Chair | Owner of Elite Recovery | franklin.k.wolf@outlook.com | 801-493-5063 |
| Jessie Owensby | Executive Director | Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Cornelia | dmanager@cornelia.city | 706-778-8585, ext. 280 |
| Noah Hamil | City Liason | Main Street Manager for City of Cornelia | nhamil@cornelia.city | 706-778-8585, ext. 209 |
| Jace Reeder | Secretary | Owner of Fenders Diner | jace@heardmgmt.com | 706-768-5395 |
| Zach Staggs | Treasurer | Owner of BSG Coffee + Cafe | zachstaggs357@gmail.com | 770-530-9700 |
| Lindsay Dillbeck | Member | Piedmont University | lindsaymdilbeck@gmail.com | 706-778-4654 |
The Cornelia Downtown Development Authority (CDDA) was created through a resolution from the Cornelia City Commission in 1982 and was reactivated in the summer of 2011 to further help with revitalization efforts in Cornelia. All downtown development authorities are governed by Georgia Law which requires that all members of a downtown development authority attend 8 hours of training during their first year of office.
The primary goal of the CDDA is to revitalize and redevelop the Cornelia business district and promote for public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities by creating a climate favorable to commerce. The CDDA will work diligently to promote, maintain and enhance an economically viable downtown by focusing public and private resources on the fulfillment of downtown Cornelia’s potential to the benefit of the entire community.
These goals of the CDDA will be achieved by focusing on the following:
The City of Cornelia is also part of the Georgia Main Street Program. The DDA and the Cornelia Better Hometown work in partnership on a strategic work plan that encompasses the Main Street Four Point Approach™ to downtown revitalization:
The City of Cornelia is taking applications for hard-working volunteers to serve on the Downtown Development Authority.
All those seeking appointment will be required to submit an application; the City Manager will present the applications to the Cornelia City Commissioners for consideration for appointment. Applications are available at City Hall or can download the Volunteer Application.
For more information contact Jessie Owensby, 706-778-8585 or by email.
For the safety of our employees, we will open at 10:00 AM tomorrow, Monday, February 2, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Governor Brian Kemp issued a new State of Emergency order for all counties in Georgia in preparation for another winter storm this weekend. As the storm moves through the state beginning Saturday morning, wintry precipitation is expected throughout North and Central Georgia. The State of Emergency went effect on Friday, January 30, and will run through February 6, 2026.