Thomson will be among 13 cities chosen for the Heart and Soul three day bus tour in April 19-22, sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Cities Foundation.
The tour will show state officials, business leaders and philanthropists ways cities are breathing new life into downtown areas, according to Gerald Baygents, Thomson McDuffie tourism director.
Thomson will showcase plans for the new downtown revitalization project as well as the historic sites of Hickory Hill and Watson Brown Foundation.
Other cities on the tour include Augusta, Elberton, Hartwell, Lyons, Metter, Monroe, Sandersville, Social Circle, Statesboro, Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Waynesboro.
"The Foundation's goal is to help cities through successful public-private partnerships, and we will show 13 very good examples of cities that have been successful in creating wonderful downtowns and vibrant communities through such partnerships," said Georgia Cities Foundation President Mike Starr.
The tour is part of an overall effort to educate and inform state leaders on the importance of successful downtown development and its role in supporting overall economic development efforts for regions and communities, according to a press release from GMA.
Approximately 45 people will participate in the tour, with some joining the tour at particular stops along the way.
The Georgia Cities Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association and was created to make Georgia's downtowns more livable and economically prosperous. Through public-private partnerships, the Foundation facilitates the redevelopment and reuse of downtown areas throughout Georgia.
