The “State of Downtown” is strong and looking up, Downtown Statesboro Development Authority officials say.That was the message of the DSDA’s annual meeting Thursday evening at the Quality Inn and Suites on South Main Street. The meeting served to give downtown merchants and community leaders an update on the area’s progress over the last year.Allen Muldrew, the authority’s executive director, along with members of his board and staff, presented reports, including listing 25 new businesses that joined downtown in the past year. “The continued success downtown relies on the commitment of the merchants, our partner agencies and, most importantly, the continued support of our citizens to support downtown merchants and events,” he said.