GAINESVILLE - Main Street Gainesville has released a report showing that in the past six years 31 new or relocating businesses in downtown Gainesville have produced 330 new or retained jobs.
It says more than $44 million has been invested or committed to renovation and new construction by the public and private sectors.
That includes the new Hall County Courthouse, which is still under construction.
Main Street Chairman Dan Summer says it would have been a "fatal blow" to downtown if the courthouse had been located outside the Central Business District.
Summer says all you have to do is look at what has happened in other places.
"If you look at some of the towns that have experienced a loss...of the courthouse," Summer added. "And, there's no question that for the (county) commission's wise choice in keeping the courthouse (downtown) Gainesville would have suffered, I think, irreparable blow."
Main Street Executive Director Joe Burnette says the courthouse is vital to the survival of downtown because, "we need a large daytime population in the Central Business District."
The report says 52 buildings in downtown have been renovated in addition to the construction of four new buildings.
Friday
May 17th, 2024
3:56AM
