Conyers offers 24-hour Visitor Information Center, thanks to matching grant

The exterior of public restrooms on Commercial Street in the Olde Town Conyers business and entertainment district have been transformed into a 24-Hour Visitor Information Center, courtesy of a matching grant awarded to the Conyers Welcome Center and the city of Conyers.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development and Explore Georgia offers grants biannually to local welcome centers that are members of the state’s Regional Visitor Information Center (RVIC) network and those that meet specified criteria. Conyers Welcome Center is a member of the network and received one of the grants.

The $2,000 grant assisted in funding the painting of the public restroom facility, adding signage, brochure rack, map of the downtown area and a selfie spot featuring the message, “You are worth celebrating.” The grant also paid for improving landscaping and renovating the public restroom entrances of the building.

The city’s Department of Public Works and Transportation provided the labor for the enhancements and The Sketching Pad in Olde Town Conyers painted the selfie spot and hand-lettered sign denoting the restrooms and 24-hour visitor information.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to beautify this facility in Olde Town while providing helpful information to conveniently reach visitors whenever they choose to visit Conyers,” said Jennifer Edwards, director of Public Relations and Tourism. “The city is grateful for partners like Explore Georgia and the state’s economic development team for seeing our vision and providing this grant opportunity to bring it to life.”

Conyers Welcome Center staff came up with the idea for a 24-hour satellite welcome center while thinking of a way to make the public restrooms more attractive. The new satellite information center assists visitors and tourists after hours when brochures about state and local attractions are not as easily accessible.

The city’s Department of Public Works and Transportation provided the labor for the enhancements and The Sketching Pad in Olde Town Conyers painted the selfie spot and hand-lettered sign denoting the restrooms and 24-hour visitor information.

The Conyers Welcome Center opened in 1996 on Iris Drive prior to the Centennial Olympic Games. The center relocated to its present home in the historic Conyers Depot at 901 Railroad Street in Olde Town Conyers in 2005 and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The center’s staff assists residents and visitors in providing brochures and information about destinations and attractions throughout the state of Georgia, as well as information about local attractions such as the Georgia International Horse Park, Monastery of the Holy Spirit, and more. The Conyers Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.