Christmas came early for one lucky shopper in Downtown Hinesville. Bonnie Green of Richmond Hill was announced the Grand Prize Winner of a $500 Downtown Shopping Spree at the conclusion of the six week promotion.

She entered the contest while doing business at VIP Office Furni-ture and Supply. As the regional marketing repre-sentative for Waffle House, Ms. Green admits she is usually working while in

Hinesville and has not taken time to browse the shops. Now that she has $500 to spend, she plans to take her winnings to discover what Downtown Hinesville has to offer.

Thirteen businesses participated in the promotion by hosting a series of six Holiday Open Houses and offering an in-store prize valued at $50 or more.

Visit HDDA’s facebook page for a list of all in-store winners and photos:

www.facebook.com/ HinesvilleDowntown

Small World Festival—Seeks Vendors, Entertainment The Small World Festival's return to downtown Hinesville in 2009 was a tremendous success, with an esti-mated attendance of more than 5,000 people.

This year’s event, scheduled for May 15th from 11am to 8 p.m. promises to be bigger and better than ever. The event committee has added two hours to the event, a second entertainment venue, and plans to have more cultural groups represented.

The festival features three major elements: World MarketPlace,

International Food Court, and Cultural Entertainment.

Vendors applications and entertain-ment proposals are currently being accepted. Business booths are also welcomed to participate this year.

Vendor fee schedule:

Early Bird rate thru Mar 26th—$50

March 27th thru April 29th—$75

April 30th thru May 7th—$100

Corporate Booths—$100

Volunteer and sponsorship opportuni-ties available—877-4332.

HINESVILLE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

February, 2010 Volume 1, Issue 1

Dates to remember:

February 2nd 5:30 pm

Small World Festival Planning

Meeting (at City Hall)

February 24th 5:30 pm

“Proactive Retailing”

Guest Speaker: Rick Segel

February 25th 8:30am

Hinesville Downtown Partners

Breakfast w/ Rick Segel

HDDA NEWSLETTER

Realty Executives Completes Renovations

2

New Job Tax Credits - Does your business qualify?

2

Retail Specialist to Visit Hinesville Businesses February 23rd—25th

3

Hinesville Farmers’ Market to Begin in 2010

3

HDDA Website Coming Soon!

4

2010 Special Events Calendar

4

Downtown Customer Wins $500 Shopping Spree What’s Inside:

Realty Executives Completes Renovations Realty Executives Liberty, located at 401 South Main Street and owned by William and Susan Strickland, has a

new look. Just a few months ago the building, located on a major southern entrance to Hinesville's downtown district was a tired, one-story structure that was outdated and did not reflect the quality of business housed within.

The innovative design for the re-habilitation of the existing 1978 stucco building met three major objectives for the project: 1.) remain in the same, prime location, 2.) rehabilitate the existing structure versus demol-ishing and rebuilding, and 3.) expand commercial space while meeting the overlay guidelines for parking, water retention, and landscaping.

The existing structure was stabilized for the new construction of a second story, expanding commercial space

from 2,500 to 5,400 square feet. Com-pleted in November, 2009 the new building is a welcoming gateway to the downtown district, boasting its beautiful red brick exterior and warm, classic interior décor.

William and Susan Strickland own and operate three related, but separate businesses: Realty Executives, Liberty Rental Services, and the Executive School of Real Estate. The economic impact of the project is further realized through the creation of nine new jobs, for 27 employees total.

The completion of the project repre-sents HDDA’s first public-private part-nership, assisting with financing through DCA’s Revolving Low Interest Loan and HDDA’s Rehabilitation Façade Grant Program. For more information on incentives available for property and business owners, contact HDDA staff @ 877-4332.

Job Tax Credits— Does Your Business Qualify? Minimum two (2) new jobs to qualify—

no maximum

Jobs must be full time positions (35 hrs.)

$3,500 per credit per year (5 yrs)

Claim against 100% of GA income tax

liability with excess claimed against withholding taxes.

Allows credit to be claimed by any

business type

Jobs created prior to 2009 may be eligible

Transferred or replaced positions—not

eligible.

The State of Georgia’s New Job Tax Credit program is designed to be used as an incentive to business owners to locate new businesses or expand their current locations, resulting in job creation. A majority of Hinesville’s Downtown District has received a Military Zone designation that maximizes the benefits and loosens eligibility restrictions tremendously.

If you expanded your workforce this year for a net increase in employees, you may quality for the New Job Tax Credit.

Is your business

getting all the

credit you

deserve?

“If you expanded

your workforce

this year . . . you

may quality for

New Job Tax

Credits!”

Page 2 HINESVILLE DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTER

Realty Executives receives $2,500 HDDA Façade Rehabilitation Grant. From left: Mayor James Thomas, Vicki Davis, HDDA Director; Susan Strickland, Realty Executives Owner/Broker; Janie Diggs, Realty Executives, and Donald Lovette, HDDA Chairman.

BEFORE

AFTER

Nationally recognized retail guru Rick Segel will help local independent com-panies and specialty retail businesses understand how they can proactively survive in today’s economy and even take their businesses to the next level during his upcoming Hinesville visit, February. 23rd—25th.

The three-day visit, presented by the Fort Stewart-Hinesville Army Commu-nity Heritage Partnership Program will feature a public presentation, breakfast with Hinesville Downtown Partners, and several one-on-one business con-sultations.

Mr. Segel has authored nine books, including Laugh and Get Rich: How to Profit from Humor in any Business and Retail Business Kit for Dummies, which was the #1 selling retail how-to book in the United States in January, 2002 and is now in its 2nd edition.

A regular speaker at Inc. Magazine conferences for small business entre-preneurs, Rick helps merchants think about who they are — and who they want to be. He gives downtown mer-

chants and independent store own-ers tried, tested and proven ways to improve business.

Proactive Retailing: Bringing

Your Business to the Next Level

Public Presentation

Wed., Feb. 24th—5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Army Education Center

$10 Suggested Donation

RSVP @ 877-4332 (limited space)

How to Evaluate Your Business

Hinesville Downtown Partners

Thurs., Feb. 25th—8:30 to 10a. m.

Breakfast—City Hall Council Room

Business Consultations

Limited to six (6) individual consulta-tions. Interested business owners should submit a written statement, specifying business goals, future plans, and current challenges. $25 ea.

(Any proceeds exceeding expenses

will benefit improvements to Victory Park in Downtown Hinesville)

Retail Specialist to Visit Hinesville Businesses

10% - Original arts / crafts

10% - Prepared foods

One booth will be reserved each week for non-profit group to promote events and activities.

Local musicians will also have an opportunity to share their talents with the crowd.

This is a community market and its success is dependant upon your support. Please help us get this infor-mation to any local producers you know, so they can plan their plantings for this years market.

Contact HDDA: 877-4332 for vendor application or sponsorship information.

Hinesville area residents will soon be able to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local products at their very own Farmers’ Market in downtown Hinesville.

The community will be able to support local producers, get the freshest product available, and have a great family-friendly weekly event.

The Hinesville Farmers’ Market will be held Thursdays, April thru October from 4 to 8 pm. The plan for the market includes a variety of vendors, using the following guide as a general rule:

50% - Farm Products (produce, meats, poultry, seafood, plants, flowers, seeds)

30% - Baked & Canned Goods (breads, pies, canned items, jams/jellies, salsa, sauces, etc.)

Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

Rick Segel, CSP

Retail Specialist,

Public Speaker,

and Author

Visits Hinesville

businesses

Feb. 24th & 25th

Visit:

www.ricksegel.com

Hinesville Farmers’ Market Planned for 2010 Season

Thursdays

April thru October

4—8 pm

Downtown

Hinesville

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! This is the first publication of the Hinesville Downtown Newsletter. It is our goal to use this forum to improve communication of programs, information, and opportunities with our downtown affiliates. We also encourage businesses and organizations to use this newslet-ter to share information as space allows. The Hinesville Downtown website is currently being created and will be yet another tool to promote businesses, events, and opportunities in the downtown district. Features of the website will include: available properties, complete business directory; specialty shop listings; downtown job opportunities; special events, vendor applications, and links to business websites.

Downtown Hinesville . . . More to see and do than you thought!

302 South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313

Phone: 912-877-4332 Fax: 912-877-9132 E-mail: discoverdowntown@coastalnow.net

Website coming soon!

Www.hinesvilledowntown.com

September 18th—Blues & BBQ 4 pm Bradwell Park Area

October 15th & 16th—OktoberFest Bradwell Park Area

October 22nd—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

October 29th—Scarecrow Stroll/Beggars Night Downtown Businesses

November & December Holiday Open Houses—TBD

December 6th—Christmas in the Park Bradwell Park / Main Street Area 5 pm

December 10th—Illuminate Christmas Parade

Downtown Hinesville 6:30 pm

The events listed above are sponsored and presented by various organizations throughout the year. We appreci-ate all who support downtown activity and provide a better quality of life for our community and visitors.

April—Farmers’ Market Begins 4—8 pm Thursdays - April thru October

April 18th—24th GA Cities Week

April 23rd—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

May 15th—Small World Festival 11am—8 pm Bradwell Park Area

May 21st—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

June 18th—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

August 20th—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

September 11th—Hoofin’ It for Our Heroes 5k Run / Walk

September 17th—Luncthime Concert in the Park Bradwell Park 11:30 am

2010 Downtown Special Events Calendar

HDDA Newsletter & Website FY 2010