The City of Milledgeville announced Monday, Feb. 2, that Jennifer Graham Stasney has been appointed director of Milledgeville Main Street, effective immediately, placing a lifelong resident at the helm of the city’s downtown development efforts.
Stasney, a graduate of GCSU, earned a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations. City officials said her professional background, spanning public relations, fundraising, retail operations and administrative leadership, positions her to guide the downtown district through its next phase of growth.
“As a lifelong member of the Milledgeville community, Jennifer has a longstanding passion for the downtown area and a strong desire to see it flourish as a vibrant hub for residents, businesses and visitors alike,” the city said in a press release announcing her appointment.
Stasney brings 12 years of experience from roles with Georgia Military College (GMC) and Empire Financial Services. Over the course of her career, she has raised funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Her leadership style, she said, has been shaped both by her education and by mentors she has worked alongside.
“Georgia College gave me more than a degree,” Stasney said. “It gave me confidence in communication and a heart for building meaningful relationships, while serving with purpose.”
She added that the leadership principles emphasized during her tenure at GMC reinforced “the importance of character, integrity and leading by example.”
Stasney said her career has consistently centered on service.
“My career has always centered around building relationships, service to others, dedication, and heart,” she said. “As a lifelong resident of Milledgeville, stepping into downtown development feels like a natural extension of that work; it’s about advocating for the heart of our community and helping it thrive.”
Milledgeville Main Street operates under the nationally recognized Main Street Approach, which encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation, emphasizing local empowerment and revitalization of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets.
Community members have voiced support for Stasney’s appointment.
Vickie Harmon, a resident of Milledgeville, commented on the organization’s Facebook page, saying Stasney “certainly knows the ‘hits’ and ‘misses’ and knows how to capitalize on the hits.”
In her new role, Stasney said her immediate priorities include strengthening partnerships among downtown businesses, city officials and residents.
“My immediate focus is strengthening partnerships between downtown businesses, the city, and our community,” she said. “I’m especially excited about expanding event engagement and focusing on opportunities that draw students and families alike to our charming downtown.”
Long-term, she hopes to expand initiatives that support small businesses while preserving the district’s character.
“People want to live in and visit cool places,” Stasney said. “Milledgeville has so much to offer in our rich history as well as its current vibrancy. I look forward not only to highlighting, but also enhancing, all our wonderful features.”
For Stasney, the appointment is also deeply personal. A mother of two, she described downtown Milledgeville as part of the fabric that helped shape her family’s life.
“This isn’t just a job for me, it’s personal,” she said. “With my deep roots in downtown Milledgeville, it’s a full circle moment that quite honestly chokes me up. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the city that’s shaped me, the community that has devotedly served as ‘the village’ to raising my children.”
For students seeking information on Stasney’s progress, visit the city’s official Main Street website at https://www.milledgevillemainstreet.com/.
