Effingham County continues to see record growth and it’s not expected to slow down with the new Hyundai Metaplant coming to neighboring Bryan County.Communities in the county are taking steps to prepare for the future, including Guyton, where City Council just took a major step in bringing major improvements to its downtown district. “We’re just really stoked about when we can do here,” says Guyton City Manager Meketa Brown.City Manager Meketa Brown says the future of Guyton is bright and booming. For that reason, the Guyton City Council just approved the formation of a Downtown Development Authority.The board, which will be made up of community volunteers serving staggered, two-year terms, will be charged with overseeing the revitalization of the historic district and helping bring in new businesses that benefit residents. “The DDA can finance, issue loans, grants and they can actually go out and recruit or search for certain vendors or business owners,” says Brown.”Like neighboring Springfield, Guyton officials want to grow, but maintain its small town feel. It’s that reason Southern Kafe on 17 set up shop here over ten years ago. “We get customers coming in from Walterboro, SC, Savannah, Statesboro and Hinesville,” says Southern Kafe on 17 owner Tamela Mydell. “This community and word of mouth has been huge for us.”While Southern Kafe’s recipe for growth consists of good food and friendly service, the newly formed Downtown Development Authority will utilize Guyton’s strengths to bring in folks to live, work and play. “We just want additional shops downtown to enhance the current ones and our trail and parks,” adds Brown.
Effingham County continues to see record growth and it’s not expected to slow down with the new Hyundai Metaplant coming to neighboring Bryan County.
Communities in the county are taking steps to prepare for the future, including Guyton, where City Council just took a major step in bringing major improvements to its downtown district.
“We’re just really stoked about when we can do here,” says Guyton City Manager Meketa Brown.
City Manager Meketa Brown says the future of Guyton is bright and booming. For that reason, the Guyton City Council just approved the formation of a Downtown Development Authority.
The board, which will be made up of community volunteers serving staggered, two-year terms, will be charged with overseeing the revitalization of the historic district and helping bring in new businesses that benefit residents.
“The DDA can finance, issue loans, grants and they can actually go out and recruit or search for certain vendors or business owners,” says Brown.”
Like neighboring Springfield, Guyton officials want to grow, but maintain its small town feel. It’s that reason Southern Kafe on 17 set up shop here over ten years ago.
“We get customers coming in from Walterboro, SC, Savannah, Statesboro and Hinesville,” says Southern Kafe on 17 owner Tamela Mydell. “This community and word of mouth has been huge for us.”
While Southern Kafe’s recipe for growth consists of good food and friendly service, the newly formed Downtown Development Authority will utilize Guyton’s strengths to bring in folks to live, work and play.
“We just want additional shops downtown to enhance the current ones and our trail and parks,” adds Brown.
