Whether you're a startup, small business or major corporation, you will find the City of Sylvania Downtown welcoming and accommodating. This section of our website provides helpful information links about doing business in Downtown Sylvania, including licensing information, regulations and potential incentives that you can find on the Sylvania Downtown Development Authority (DDA) website. The DDA is committed to the revitalization, preservation and economic prosperity of our downtown. The DDA’s purpose is to invigorate the local economy of our community, while maintaining the historic charm and financial viability that makes Sylvania the perfect home for your business.
Two active development authorities with the same board of directors are based in Sylvania. The Screven County Development Authority was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly in 1962. The SCDA is a constitutional authority. The Development Authority of Screven County was created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly in 1979. The DASC is a Statutory Authority. For more informaiton visit www.screvencountydevelopmentauthority.com.
The Screven County Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of business in Screven County and is committed to promoting the local economy by promoting, strengthenting and enhancing thebusinesses of Sylvania and Screven County. For more information visit www.screvencounty.com.
Downtown Development Authority Website
Georgia Southern Students Complete Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) Research Project in Collaboration with the City of Sylvania, Downtown Development Authority and Screven County Development Authority, GA
Final Reports from Georgia Southern Public Participation Geographic Information Systems
This report provides the plan, methods and products delivered to the City of Sylvania, Georgia as part of a public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) project. The City of Sylvania is about 1 hour west of Savannah, GA in Screven County. The PPGIS project concept was formed in spring 2022 but was launched in August 2022 after development of a project plan initiated by the University of New Orleans, Department of Planning & Urban Studies with the Georgia Southern University, Department of Geology & Geography. This applied PPGIS project involved collaboration with the City of Sylvania, Screven County Downtown Development Authority and the Sylvania Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which represented downtown businesses.
The motivation for the University partners was to identify a service-learning opportunity for two graduate GSU students who were completing the inaugural Capstone project for the Master of Science in Applied Geography. The focus of the Government and local Businesses was to complete the necessary tasks, research and reporting required to apply for the Rural Zone designation in August 2023. After an internal and external GIS needs assessment, the project scope included design of a PPGIS guide, delivery of primary use and condition surveys in the Downtown and Main Street, historic research, creation/use of web-based tools for data collection and display (e.g. Story Map), map sites with local and Federal Qualified Opportunity Zone property tax incentives, as well as provide a dedicated resource guide for re-establishing the Sylvania Main Street, Historic Zone and Certified Local Government.
The use of a customized ESRI Survey123 app expedited the survey process and was used to assist the DDA with the Downtown Business Survey. The PPGIS research informed the DDA '2023 Downtown Strategic Plan' which awaits community comment until May 15, 2023. On April 19, 2023, a Community Meeting was held to share information about the PPGIS project, findings of the research and unveiling of the Strategic Plan. This report serves as a guide for community-led partnerships where local resources need additional support to achieve their goal for a better quality of life for all who live, work, and play in Sylvania.
Public Participation Geographic Information Systems Report
The Downtown Development Authority is asking for public comments on their Work Plan that was presented on April 19, 2023. Please see the work plan below and a link to a Jot Form for public comments on the Work Plan. Please comment by 5/19/2023.