| G R E E N I N G & B E A U T I F I C AT I O N
G AT E WAY S Although largely outside of the scope of this downtown plan, the city’s gateways and the Main Street/US-78 corridor were identified by many Thomson residents as areas that must be improved for the community to reach its potential. Gateways are the first and last opportunity a community has to communicate its values and unique sense of place. The purpose of gateway signage is to announce the presence of and entry into a community. Through the assistance of graduate design assistants at the Archway Partnership, Thomson now has an attractive portfolio of gateway signage options to select from. With the main entrances into Thomson defined with distinctive signage and a unified planting pattern, passersby would be more likely to recognize and access downtown. Attractive landscaped gateways are also public signals that the city cares about how people perceive the community. Thomson and McDuffie County officials should work together to select appropriate designs and collaborate to fund improvements at key gateways and corridors. Local leaders should also look into the Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grant Program offered by the Georgia Department of Transportation. The REBC grant offers up to $50,000 in funding for roadside beautification and enhancements along state highways.
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