​​Joel Cordle, Principal, is a ​​Senior Downtown Development Professional
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Georgia Downtowns is an active firm that specializes in strategic and community input planning. We are about assisting Main Street Programs and Downtown Development Authorities to set and realize their economic development goals. We are passionate about our work, downtowns, and the state of Georgia.
​Let's talk about how we can partner with your downtown and you.

Joel Cordle

Alice Sampson
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Joel Cordle is proud to partner with local and state leaders for downtown preservation and prosperity.
He has 35 years in economic development, city government, and cultural arts program management. For ten years he was the Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program for the City of Dahlonega.
Joel is proud to have led Dahlonega in winning the ultimate national honor, the 2016 Great American Main Street Award, from the National Main Street Center, and the 2010 Award for Excellence in Downtown Development from the Georgia Downtown Association. 
​For 16 years, Joel served as the Arts Division Administrator for Athens-Clarke County Government.
Joel is a certified senior downtown professional and a past president of the Georgia Downtown Association. He is a certified Local Government Manager. Joel currently serves as a member of the Dahlonega City Council. 
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Alice Sampson has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Georgia and is a former faculty member at the University of North Georgia (UNG). There she served 15 years as professor, director, and associate dean in the College of Education. For ten of her 15 years, she was the founding director of the Georgia Appalachian Studies Center, a community engagement center. Alice also served as the university’s project manager for the REED Initiative, producing and facilitating a year-long series of community meetings focused on economic development trends and issues and the economic needs of the North Georgia community.
Alice is a professionally trained meeting facilitator and process planner. As a lifelong educator and now downtown advocate, she believes that healthy downtowns are key to community vitality and place-making. Alice is a former commissioner of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission.