Griffin was once the center of economic activity for the south metro region. With the decline in textiles and manufacturing, Griffin fell on hard economic times. The City of Griffin recognizes that in order to become competitive again and regain footing as an economic cultural hub, the City must get serious about addressing the blighted conditions brought on by decades of economic decline. Beginning in 2005, the City of Griffin began a long-term process for redeveloping major portions of the city. An overall Urban Redevelopment Plan was adopted, and several Urban Redevelopment Areas were created. These plans forced the City to take a hard look at the toll of disinvestment on residents and property. But these plans also formed the basis to create plans for incentives that could spur new investment.

The Planning & Development Services Department and the Downtown Development Authority are actively pursuing new opportunities for public and private investment to these redevelopment areas.

Downtown Griffin Redevelopment Plan

North Hill Street Connectivity Study

Downtown Griffin and North Hill Street Tax Allocation District

West Griffin Redevelopment Plan and Tax Allocation District #2

Local governments which undertake redevelopment and revitalization efforts in certain older commercial and industrial areas can now qualify those areas for the State’s maximum state job tax credit of $3,500 per job. The incentive which is available for new or existing businesses which create two or more jobs are credits which can be taken against the business’s income tax liability and state payroll withholding. The credits are available for areas designated by DCA as “Opportunity Zones”. DCA will consider designations for areas that are within or adjacent to a census block group with 15% or greater poverty where an enterprise zone or urban redevelopment plan exists.

Downtown Griffin Opportunity Zone

The City of Griffin has created several “Enterprise Zones” that are designed to spur economic activity. Enterprise Zones allows for the abatement of City property tax for qualified individuals or businesses for property located within the boundaries. There are currently three EZs in Griffin: two just outside of Downtown Griffin, and one located close to Spalding Regional Medical Center. Please see the maps below. Contact the Planning & Development Services at 770-233-4130 if you have questions about any of the Enterprise Zones.

Enterprise Zone 1

Enterprise Zone 2

Enterprise Zone 3 Map Coming Soon

The City of Griffin has completed several planning studies through the Livable Centers Initiative Program from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The LCI program helps local communities prepare plans for enhancing commercial centers and corridors. To date, Griffin has completed to major LCI studies for Downtown Griffin and West Griffin, and completed supplemental studies for downtown parking and for connecting Griffin to the Sun City Peachtree development in northern Spalding County.

Click below to view the completed studies:

Downtown Griffin Town Center LCI Plan, 2006

West Griffin LCI Plan, 2010

North Hill Street Connectivity Study, 2008

North Hill Street Master Plan, 2008

Downtown Griffin Parking Study, 2009