Blairsville has joined six other cities in being designated as one of Georgia’s newest Rural Zones, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The new designation creates multiple incentives that will benefit city commerce through Dec. 31, 2030.
“The Rural Zone program is a collaboration between Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs and Department of Economic Development, incepted in 2017,” according to the public announcement by the Georgia Municipal Association.
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Continuing, “This initiative provides tax credits to individuals creating jobs and making qualifying investments within historic downtown areas designated as Rural Zones during their five-year tenure.”
Rural Zones gain access to three types of specifically utilized state income tax incentives, according to GMA:
1) Job Tax Credits are equivalent to $2,000 per year for each new, full-time-equivalent job for up to five years;
2) Investment Credits are equivalent to 25% of the purchase price of a property within the designated Rural Zone, not to exceed $125,000; and
3) Rehabilitation Credits are equivalent to 30% of the qualified rehabilitation costs of a building located within a designated Rural Zone, not to exceed $150,000.
“Each community is encouraged to develop strategies and share information about the benefits of designation to businesses and investors,” GMA said.
The Department of Community Affairs will be working closely with the Blairsville Downtown Development Authority “to provide technical assistance to help ensure that your local team is prepared to successfully implement the program,” DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn has pledged.
“I am excited about the revitalization the City of Blairsville may achieve utilizing tools available through this program. DCA looks forward to working closely with you and your team to accomplish your vision for Downtown Blairsville and your community,” Nunn concluded.
Blairsville DDA Director Kristen Bentley said the application process was very competitive, “with only a few communities in the state receiving the designation each year.”
“It took about one year to put all the materials together for the application,” said Bentley, who credits stakeholders at multiple levels for getting the job done.
The DDA, Blairsville Mayor Buddy Moore, officials with City and County Administration, Union County GIS, the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and Department of Community Affairs Region 2 Representative Kathy Pappa “were all deeply instrumental in our application’s acceptance.”
Regarding which areas are covered in the Rural Zone designation, Bentley said the map is essentially the Downtown Development Authority boundary, “give or take 1 square mile around the courthouse in all directions.”
“If anyone has questions about if a property is included, they can email me at director@downtownblairsvillega.com,” Bentley said.
Joining Blairsville as new Rural Zone designees are the cities of Alma, Barnesville, Elberton, Folkston, Grantville and Summerville.
