Advocacy

The Savannah Downtown Business Association is committed to being an influential representative, a resource and a liaison for Savannah’s downtown businesses. We work closely with city leaders, neighborhood organizations and government entities in order to ensure issues important to our members are heard. In 2025 key issues identified for our members are: Business Support Resources, Crime and Homelessness.

Our Executive Director, alongside our volunteer board of directors, continues to work diligently on the issues affecting our member businesses. We will stay in front of our government officials, asking the tough questions and collaborating with partners who can provide assistance. In addition, we engage luncheon speakers that directly address these issues. Throughout the year, the SDBA membership will be updated via the website, emails and luncheons on progress that is made in each of these areas.

The Downtown Business Association's advocacy initiatives for 2025 are: 

1. Business Advocacy- streamlining support, resources, communications, access to funding, inspections, licensing for businesses to successfully do business in downtown Savannah. Explore our business support services page and complete the help my business form here.

2. Crime- safety in downtown Savannah continues to be the top issue if it is within your business, in front of your business, in proximity to your business or the safety of your employees and customers. View our downtown business safety resource guide here.

3. Homelessness- Homelessness is more visible than ever in the city of Savannah and Chatham County. Our organization is working closely with SPD, homeless shelters, the city of Savannah to address homelessness and find solutions that will protect downtown business owners, residents, visitors and find placement/services for the homeless. View resources in the City of Savannah addressing homelessness in downtown Savannah here.