City of Toccoa Recognized at the 2023 Georgia Downtown Conference

Toccoa Community Development Director Connie Tabor was recently recognized at Georgia Downtown Association’s awards ceremony at the Georgia Downtown Conference, where Tabor was awarded the “Main Street Hero” award of Excellence. 

A press release on the award states, “Tabor pioneered the management of Downtown Toccoa’s Main Street Program, created in 1990, when she was designated as Toccoa’s first Main Street Manager. Now in her 33rd and final year of employment with the city, Tabor prepares for retirement by “passing the baton” to the next generation of Main Street Toccoa.” 

The Association recognized the revitalization of the Downtown Mall as Tabor’s first major accomplishment in the position. 

Subsequent achievements included Tabor’s involvement in the creation of the Historic Preservation Commission and her efforts leading to Toccoa being named a Top 8 Great American Main Street Center by the National Main Street Center in 2022. Also noted were Tabor’s work on the downtown streetscape project, the depot restoration, and the revitalization of the Historic Ritz Theatre. 

Under Tabor’s direction, the Historic Downtown District is host to more than 50 events annually, has been awarded 61 grants totaling $6.5M in funding, and has been the recipient of investments totaling $44 million in private investments and $16 million in public dollars. 

Association officials praised Tabor’s achievements and dedication, saying, “ Connie’s impact on the greater wellbeing of the City of Toccoa and the region cannot be overstated. There are few individuals that have truly

lived a life of passion for downtown development. Mrs. Connie Tabor is considered one of the great bastions of downtown leadership that Georgia has produced, and her efforts will be felt for years to come.”