Fowler Receives Georgia Downtown Development Professional Designation

ATLANTA – During the Georgia Downtown Association’s annual conference held in Young Harris in August, Jeffrey Fowler was awarded the Georgia Downtown Development Program (GDDP) Level I professional certification designation.


In order to be eligible for the Level I review, a candidate must have at least two years of experience in the field of downtown development; 50 hours of documented training class time; and two letters of recommendation. The review consists of an oral presentation in which the candidate must document their downtown organizational and management success, and a written exam covering downtown development issues, tools, and resources.


“The Georgia Downtown Development Professional has demonstrated a thorough working knowledge in the professional practice of downtown development in Georgia”, said Connie Tabor, Chair of the GDDP. “This certification program distinguishes downtown managers who have reached a milestone of professional success in Georgia and who are committed to continuing professional growth.” Since 2007, only 61 downtown professionals in the state of Georgia have achieved the Level I designation.


The professional development program designates three levels of professional success, each requiring and recognizing more professional success than the preceding level. The program has been endorsed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the University of Georgia.


Based in Atlanta, the Georgia Downtown Association is a non-profit association that promotes the economic redevelopment of Georgia’s downtowns.