Several students at Georgia Southwestern gave opinions on how well Americus served as a college town. Blaine Jackson, a senior majoring in computer science, originally from Albany Georgia, gave his opinion. “I hear it’s not much to do around here, so I never even bother going downtown.”

When asked what he would like to see, Jackson replied; “at least a movie theatre.” He also mentioned more restaurants. “Somewhere to sit down, they have nothing but fast food around here.” Jackson also mentioned a desire for more stores, specifically for clothing.

Share Christian, a freshman majoring in psychology, also shared her views on how well Americus served college students. When asked if she frequented the downtown, she replied; “not for real. It’s nothing out here but the school for real.”

Christian told what she would like to see in a college town. “More activities to do outside of just the college. Your whole personality shouldn’t be the college. You need more stuff, like maybe a bowling alley, or movie theatre, more food choices. I’m getting tired of Zaxby’s and Chick-fila all the time.”

She also gave advice on how local leaders could learn what students wanted. “Just ask us, actually. You could put like surveys. I’m sure everybody [has] got ideas on what we would want to do.” Christian also shared another idea for improvement. “They need to fix these roads.”

Hunter Cooley, a freshman majoring in computer programming, came to Americus from Columbus Georgia. When asked about the downtown, he replied he didn’t go there often. When asked if he had any ideas for improvements, Cooley replied; “Nothing really in particular. For a college town, I’d say just for it to be nice to go down town every once in a while with friends. That’s really about it.”

When asked how the town could better foster college students, Cooley mentioned hosting events to get people used to going to the downtown. “Just show the different opportunities they have to give and maybe show off some jobs they can get to work over the summer or like during their college time.”

Kendrick White is a sophomore majoring in psychology from Chicago. When asked if he went to the downtown much, he replied that he did. When asked his opinion, he replied; “It’s pretty okay. It’s not bad.”

White gave restaurants as his favorite part of the downtown, naming 1800 as his favorite place to go. He told what addition could make the downtown more attractive. “Like a movie theatre, but I don’t know if that would be too much.”

He gave an example of the type of event that would engage college students. “A karaoke night or something like that.” He also mentioned hosting a movie night would be a potential draw.

Key Starling, a CNA nurse, is studying long term care management. She gave her opinion of the down town. “Very attention seeking, and a lot of things that you can enjoy. A lot of food, a lot of variety of things. It’s very organized. It’s very appealing to me, and I love it as a college student.”

Starling did mentioned adding a fruit shop and healthy places to eat would be an improvement. “It would help the older generation and the mental health generation to be more healthy.”

She mentioned her favorite things in the downtown were Gyro City and Floyd’s Pub, along with Middle Flint, where she works. “It’s kind of hard to say what’s my favorite.”

Starling gave advice for how businesses could connect with students. “Broadcast your business, and keep putting forth the effort to make varieties. Come out to GSW to different events.” Starling noted the importance of having a welcoming and godly, Christian spirit. She praised Chick-fil-a and Aladdin, the school cafeteria service, for bringing food options to campus. She told how the latter would have a food truck on Tuesdays and Thursdays with tacos and nachos.

Starling said many of the new students were unaware of the options off campus, and encouraged businesses to put flyers in the buildings. She also encouraged events for pets. “We have a lot of pets here like dogs.”

Starling shared a final message for readers. “Keep being Americus. Americus is great. It’s still flourishing, and it’s still growing, and it’s still prospering.”