Rossville Downtown Development Authority will host a town hall meeting Nov. 12 in the city’s Civic Center at 5:30 p.m.

“The DDA is directing a long-term effort to bring Rossville back to the forefront of a vi-able and desirable business community,” said Marvin “Stump” Martin with the city of Ross-ville.

The goal of the meeting is to seek the citizens input on the revitalization of Rossville, he said.

The meeting will be facilitated by Paul Kreager, who retired from the University of Geor-gia after 20 years of leadership in economic development in the state.

Chili, vegetable soup, bread and soft drinks will be served at the meeting.

“The two-hour forum will be an open discussion format aimed at initiating the process of creating a long-term workable blueprint for the Rossville community and business district,” Martin said.

Groundwork for this process began years ago as the DDA began plans for revitalization, he said.

“The DDA will integrate a comprehensive four-point management strategy utilized by the Main Street program that has been successful throughout the United States,” he said.

“The backbone of the program stimulates intense focus on the economic environment combined with a concentrated purpose to increase green space and the overall aesthetics in every aspect throughout the city,” he said.

The DDA, he said, will include many of the aspects of the four-point Main Street program:

Organization: Build an organization that is representative of all stakeholders.

Promotion: Establish a viable and proper marketing program that will bring excitement to the community once certain offerings are in place.

Design: An active organized and design program will enhance the attractiveness of the business district and will improve the physical image of the town.

Economic restructuring: This program involves analyzing current market forces, re-cruiting new businesses and converting all usable space into a profit-making venture with a long-term vision and mission in mind.

“Rossville is unique with the old Peerless Woolens mills, John Ross Lake area, and the old Southeast Federal building that can all bring about immediate improvement to the city,” Martin said.

“The city will work to construct leisure green space in an attempt to draw families and groups to participate in community events and activities.

“Rossville will work to bring about a change of attitude and the way people think about the downtown area.

“It is important to understand that a downtown is like any home. If it is unattended and unappreciated by its owners it will soon find deterioration and lose the energy to purposely survive.

“A city government is the manager of a downtown. Nevertheless, the citizens, business owners and volunteers are those who can make the longest lasting difference.”