The hub of local government and center of community activity: 

  Downtown is the home of the Baldwin County Court House, Milledgeville City Hall, U.S. Post Office,

  Convention & Visitors  Bureau, Milledgeville/Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce, Public Library,

  Milledgeville Police Department, Industrial Development Authority, Milledgeville MainStreet/DDA,

  John Marlor Arts Center, and over 200 retail, professional and service businesses in the central  

  business district. Over 2,200 people work in the central downtown area. 

 

  A college town: 

  Downtown Milledgeville is the home of Georgia College & State University (Georgia's public liberal arts

  university ) and Georgia Military College.  Over 4,800 college students are within walking distance of

  the downtown area daily. 

 

  A heritage tourism destination on Georgia's Antebellum Trail: 

  Over 20,000 visitors check in at the downtown Welcome Center every year to enjoy Georgia's 1803  

  antebellum capital city, and its richly preserved wealth of Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian

  architecture. This national register historic district also houses historic Memory Hill Cemetery, with  

  grave sites dating back to the 1800s, the Old Governor's Mansion and the Old Capitol Building. 

 

  A great neighborhood:

  Downtown is surrounded by historic residential areas, home to hundreds of people who reside in or

  within walking distance of the downtown area. The neighborhood population is a very diverse one, from

  members of Milledgeville's oldest families to the college students renting housing within walking

  distance of the campuses. Downtown is anchored by the community's largest and most historic

  churches. 

 

  A growing greater community: 

  Downtown is the heart of Milledgeville-Baldwin County, a place with a heritage worth preserving and a

  future to attain. Situated on beautiful Lake Sinclair, our community offers a wealth of natural as well as

  historic and cultural resources. As a result, its population and net immigration is growing. Central

  Georgia Technical College and a developing  industrial park are adding to opportunities for more major

  industry. Milledgeville is  a regional shopping hub for the surrounding community - over 150,000

  shoppers within a 30-minute radius. All major highways meet in the downtown area. 

 

  Downtown parking: 

  The central downtown area has 1,047 parking spaces, not including the on campus parking provided  

  by Georgia College & State University and Georgia Military College. The county parking facility at the  

  Court House provides 205 covered parking spaces. The city and private businesses have recently

  acquired some downtown parcels for further parking improvements. For those who have to park within 

  sight of the door they're heading for, downtown parking will always be frustrating. We appreciate those

  who don't mind parking within a block of their destination, and enjoy walking the sidewalks on the  

  great streets of our downtown. 

 

  Available downtown buildings and spaces: 
  Small commercial spaces for lease are few and far between.  Specialty shops and restaurant  

  operations seeking less than 3,000 square feet stand in line waiting for spaces ready to occupy. The  

  MainStreet/DDA office keeps track of what's available, and is happy to match a prospect with the  

  property owner to explore lease arrangements. A few large commercial buildings are on the market,

  and can be purchased for rehabilitation and housing of great new businesses. Overhead residential

  development is a great possibility for several downtown properties, and several have been constructed  

  and occupied recently. 

  We appreciate downtown property owners who invest in the proper maintenance of their buildings, an  

  attractive storefront, and the business tenants who bring something of value to the community. 

 

  Target businesses for Downtown Milledgeville: 

  We believe downtown is a great place for specialty goods and services that can't be found anywhere  

  else in the community, or that serve the daily desires and needs of the downtown resident and  

  business "neighborhood." What appeals to college students, heritage tourists and the daily downtown  

  inhabitants also appeals to the surrounding community at large. 

 

  If your business idea would bring products of great value, exceptional customer service  and a  

  charming environment in which people would like to spend their time and money, the MainStreet/DDA

  office would love to assist you in finding just the right spot! 

 

  We'd be particularly interested in adding the following to our downtown retail and restaurant mix:

  • Cinema / Theatre

  • Tea Room

  • Deli / Bagel shop

  • Casual Clothing & Shoes

  • Fabrics & Notions

  • Newspapers and Periodicals

  • Athletic and College Wear

  • Optical shop

  • Leather goods

  • Music (CDs and such)

  • Books

  • Video / Movie Rentals

  • Antiques & Collectibles

  • Bed & Bath linens

  • Gourmet Foods

  • and many more!

Bring us your business plan, and we'll help!