On Wednesday the Georgia Cities Foundation and Georgia Municipal Association will bring its three day "Heart & Soul" Tour of eight Georgia cities to Statesboro. The bus tour will show state agency heads, business leaders, downtown developers and philanthropists ways in which cities are revitalizing and capitalizing on their downtowns.
      Cities on this year's tour are Dublin, Sylvania, Statesboro, Hinesville, Jesup, St. Marys, Savannah and Metter, and there will be 50 participants.
      "My understanding is that Statesboro was on this tour five or six years ago," said Allen Muldrew, executive director of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority. "I feel we were included this year, because we were recently awarded the Georgia Downtown Award in the category of Commercial Redevelopment in Downtown for Georgia Southern University's City Campus and Entrepreneur Zone."
      Muldrew said this tour is important, because it highlights the vision of our community for its downtown.
      "For example the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs will be attending, in addition to the director of the Georgia Municipal Association," Muldrew said. "These individuals represent noteworthy organizations that have a mission to support downtowns throughout the state of Georgia. It is very important to have the support of these organizations, and giving them a tour of our downtown is an excellent way to do that."
      The agenda for the tour stop in Statesboro includes a visit to GSU's City Campus, a visit to Pladd Dot Music, dinner on the courthouse lawn, a ghost tour, and a visit to two antique stores.
      The Foundation has held a bus tour every year since 2001 as part of an overall effort to educate and inform state leaders on the importance of successful downtown development, and its role in supporting overall economic development efforts for regions and communities.
       "The Foundation's goal is to help cities through successful public-private partnerships," said Mike Starr, Georgia Cities Foundation president. "We will show eight very good examples of cities that have been successful in creating wonderful downtowns and vibrant communities through such partnerships."
       I know that it is easy to become discouraged during an ongoing revitalization effort, but the continued activities such as these eventually bear "fruit" as it were. I am very glad to see that we are on the schedule. It means that we are making progress.
      So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.

Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com