Andrew George steps down as Three Rivers DDA chair after seven years at the helm

After nearly a decade of service on the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority board, Andrew George has officially stepped down from his role as chair.

George, who has been a part of the DDA for almost eight years and served as chair for seven, played a key role in several revitalization efforts for downtown Three Rivers, including major infrastructure projects such as the Mural Mall, the East Alley project and the upcoming amphitheater.

“We’ve made huge strides that were aligned with the values and the visions that I had going into joining this board years ago,” George said. “And we’re at the point now where we have a strong board that has all the tools to carry out the initiatives to make the downtown what it should be.”

George stated his decision to step down was not due to another organizational commitment but rather a desire to focus on his newly launched business.

“This will allow me to dedicate more time to my business venture,” he said.

Reflecting on his time with the DDA, George said he was most proud of the organization’s efforts to bring diversity and inclusion to the forefront. He highlighted the introduction of the LGBTQ+ Pride Festival in 2023 as a particularly meaningful milestone.

“Bringing initiatives like these to rural communities can be difficult, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made,” he said.

John Wolgamood, previously the DDA vice chair, will step in as George’s successor.

While stepping away from the DDA, George said he remains committed to civic engagement and open to future opportunities in community service.

Najifa Farhat is a staff reporter for Watershed Voice.