About EPMSA

The East Point Main Street Association (EPMSA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 downtown revitalization organization. There is an all volunteer Board of Directors made up of residents that are business owners, community stakeholders and professionals who have a commitment to downtown.

The mission of the board is “To preserve and enhance the downtown area as the heart of East Point, communicating a sense of place, community pride and heritage, while providing for a successful business and
residential environment.”

The board works to:

• Build Awareness
• Harbor Community Support and Participation
• Recruit volunteers
• Build a Membership Program
• Fundraise & Secure Sponsorships
• Offer Special Events and Festivals Downtown
• Market the Downtown District
• Beautify the Downtown Area
• Identify Downtown Issues and Look at Possible Solutions
• Create Opportunities to Bring People Downtown
• Build Community Pride in the Downtown District
• Increase Patronage to Downtown Businesses
• Improve Quality of Life for Downtown Residents
• Provide Networking events for Downtown Merchants
• Improve the Experience of the Downtown Visitor/Patron

Downtown is important to the entire community for reasons related to tax base, community heritage, tourism, public and private investments, community identity, and it provides a central gathering place.

Downtown is a "place" that we ALL can call our OWN. Own a part of downtown East Point, come and see the past embracing the present, while creating the future. Whether you are shopping, opening a business, enjoying a lunch, or taking a stroll, you will find downtown East Point full of warmth and character - the essential core of our community.

See you Downtown!

History of EPMSA

In 1999, The City of East Point established the East Point Main Street Association, Inc. to work the principles of the National Main Street model. Downtown East Point had experienced a vicious cycle of decline and disinvestment due to population shifts to the suburbs and businesses being established in malls and shopping centers outside of the downtown area. What was left were aging buildings, vacant storefronts, and a few "lone ranger" businesses pressing their way through the drought. The City took charge and applied for the Main Street City designation and thus began a cycle and vision toward rebuilding downtown. The results began to show almost immediately as nine members were appointed to the Main Street Board. The City created a staff position whose focus is on every aspect of the downtown district, and who serves as a point of contact for merchants and prospects. Private investors started to give downtown buildings a second look. Public dollars were directed to funding festivals, signage, a pedestrian bridge, and planning for future development.

In 2008, the City of East Point looked to the East Point Main Street Association to take on the community events for the City. The all volunteer board stepped up to the overwhelming challenge, understanding how important this tradition of community events were to the Downtown District, residents and the entire Tri-Cities community. The board, by necessity, quickly learned the event planning process in record time and, through building relationships with dedicated community partners and support from the City, planned and produced the oldest and largest event in East Point, the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration. The event was a huge success, bigger than it had ever been and well, the rest is history. . . The East Point Main Street Association, with support from its volunteer committees, now boasts three major events each year, the Taste of East Point . . .and the Tri-Cities Area, the “Salute to the Red, White and Blue” 4th of July Celebration and Destination East Point Fall Festival. In addition, they produce the annual “Main Street Business Networking Event”, East Point Farmer’s Market and countless beautification projects and other projects and programs geared to support their mission statement.

In 2010, the EPMSA board decided to formally detach itself from the City, which discontinued the City appointment of Board members and allowed EPMSA to then embrace 501(c)3 non-profit status, appoint their own board members for continuity and more effectively solicit potential community partners. Now they work in partnership with the City of East Point and the results of this partnership are readily visible and extremely beneficial to the business and residential community.

Many of the projects, programs and events on www.DowntownEastPoint.com are testimony to the great things that have been generated by EPMSA’s relationship with outstanding community partners, including the City of East Point. Businesses, shops and people are back in our downtown, and while we have seen these great strides, there is still more work to be done. Your support through volunteering or financial or in-kind donations will further the positive impact on the community. Click here for more information on how you can get involved.