The Downtown Waycross Development Authority (DWDA) was created by an act of the Georgia Legislature as an instrumentality of the State and Public Corporation in 1974-75. "The purpose of the Authority is the development of the downtown Waycross area, which includes but is not limited to renovation and rehabilitation of existing buildings, structures, and improvements located in the downtown Waycross district, all for any commercial, business, office, public, or other use determined by a majority of the members of the Authority to further the redevelopment of the Waycross area. The purpose of the Authority is hereby declared to be an essential and public purpose, promoting the public good and welfare and benefiting the citizens. . ."