Josephine Kelly has agreed to become Porterdale’s second Main Street Director, filling the slot vacated by Teri Haler, who took a position as Tourism Director for the City of Conyers.

Kelly will start work beginning May 11. The Porterdale City Council confirmed her appointment at a council meeting Monday night.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to work alongside Porterdale’s leadership team, city staff, business and property owners and its citizens," Kelly said. "Porterdale’s rich heritage and unique set of strengths creates a sound foundation for advancing its downtown development strategies”.

Kelly was Main Street Director for Covington for more than 12 years, during which time the downtown district enjoyed more than $30 million in public/private investment. While at the position, the program and the City of Covington received the coveted Georgia Department of Community Affairs “Award of Excellence for Downtown Development” in 2011.

Since leaving the Covington post in July 2013, Kelly started KB Workshop, a consulting firm offering a customized set of services to downtown development organizations, small businesses, and non-profits. Kelly is the current President of the Georgia Downtown Association, a statewide consortium of businesses, downtown development associations, historic preservationists and other professionals.

“Having worked with Josephine Kelly on projects over the years, I am convinced we will be on the fast track with her expertise at our fingertips," Porterdale Mayor Arline Chapman said.