We are excited to share that the City of Pelham has been recognized as Main Street of the Month by the Georgia Main Street program! This is a tremendous honor for Pelham, and it highlights the incredible work being done to revitalize this historic city in southwest Georgia.
What is Georgia Main Street?
The Georgia Main Street program, managed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), is part of a national effort that supports the revitalization of downtown areas across the state. Main Street communities focus on economic revitalization, historic preservation, and community engagement to create vibrant, thriving downtowns. The program uses a comprehensive approach to bring new life to these historic districts, boosting local businesses and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Pelham: A Community Committed to Revitalization
Pelham has made impressive progress in enhancing its historic downtown, with a particular focus on economic growth and historic preservation. A major milestone for the city was the recent award of a $2.4 million federal grant to restore the historic Carnegie Library—an iconic building located in the center of downtown Pelham. This restoration is just one of the many steps the city is taking to honor its past while creating a bright future.
One of the most notable projects in the city’s revitalization efforts has been the transformation of the former Hand Trading Company building—a historic landmark that has stood for over a century. Thanks to financial support from state and local partners, the building has been converted into a mixed-income apartment complex, bringing both historical charm and modern amenities to downtown Pelham.
Congratulations
to Pelham for earning the well-deserved recognition as Main Street of the Month! We look forward to seeing even more progress as this community continues to grow and thrive.
For more information on the Georgia Main Street program, visit Georgia Main Street.
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Receives 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations
Five Southwest Georgia Communities Awarded CHIP Housing Grants
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Staff Participate in 2026 GARC Economic Development Conference
SWGRC Staff Attend HUD Healthy Homes Program Manager Training
Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Cycle
RRP Lead-Based Paint Certification Training Coming to Camilla
Miller County Transit Development Plan (TDP) in Development
The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is currently developing a Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Lee County. This effort aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration while supporting local planning and informational needs. The plan is funded through a planning grant from GDOT (5304) and is intended to serve as a guiding resource for the county and its municipalities. This plan is prepared with data compiled from several sources, including U.S. Census Bureau data, American Community Survey results, the community’s most recent Comprehensive Plan, GDOT’s adopted Regional Transit Development Plan, GDOT’s Statewide Transit Plan, community input survey results, community websites, and Southwest Georgia Regional Transit trip data. Lee County, its municipalities, and GDOT, will be encouraged to use this plan to help inform future decisions related to rural public transit services. Community Input Meetings Two meetings are scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the Leesburg Library 1:00 PM-2:00 PM at the Oakland Library Download the flyer which includes a QR code for easy access to the survey. The survey does not have to be completed at the scheduled meetings. The survey can be completed at any time, and a direct link to the survey is also provided here . Additionally, I encourage anyone to reach out to me by phone if they do not have internet access or cannot attend the meeting using the contact information below: Amanda Nava-Estill Director of Transportation (229) 552-3552 x108
BJA FY25 De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, and sheriff’s departments in developing, implementing, or expanding de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education with on-campus police departments, public or state-controlled hospitals with on-campus police departments (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- BJA FY25 Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative This funding opportunity seeks to support local law enforcement in rural jurisdictions to prevent, respond to, and reduce violent crime. The goal is to equip rural law enforcement agencies and prosectors’ offices with the resources necessary to implement a violent crime reduction strategy to solve a specific violent crime challenge. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- OJJDP FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program This funding opportunity supports the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and violence and promote public safety. These strategies will help to prevent youth from joining gangs, discontinue involvement in gangs, and prevent and reduce additional youth gang violence. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 21, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 1, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.
Bainbridge, GA October 28-29, 2026 In-Person: 2-day conference The DCA Office of Planning, in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association, offers a series of classes called the Community Planning Institute to Georgia’s planning commissioners, elected officials and local government staff. The Institute provides information about planning for land use, growth and development. This is especially helpful for those communities that will be updating their local comprehensive plan in the coming year. Registration opens in June. $300
