I have to attend many meetings. Most of them are a waste of time. I just attended a meeting of a group trying to form a DMA (Downtown Merchants Association). THIS meeting was great! The energy and the momentum were obvious.

The meeting was lead by our Archway Professional, Michelle Elliott​ . The group is trying to do whatever it can to rejuvenate our downtown area. They are looking at Window decorations in the abandoned buildings, cleaning up the streets, repainting and adding new murals to the downtown area, adding trash receptacles and also exploring options to help beef up the Hawkinsville River Market. Donna Rickerson​, our new Hawkinsville Chamber​ executive Director was introduced and she had lots of great ideas.

While it is still early in the process, I am excited that 20+ people care enough to meet and discuss. The City of Hawkinsville​ was well represented by our city manager, Tim Young​ . ComSouth was there, local merchants were there, the Garden Club was there, the new owners of the Butterfly Mansion B&B were there, representatives from our DDA, and Rivers Alive were there as well as simply concerned citizens.

We have lots of work to do, but it is so encouraging when a group like this gets together, not to bash what is not happening, not to wish would should be happening, but to PLAN what CAN Happen.

Let’s all support those that are trying.