Downtown Gadsden, Inc. was originally incorporated in 1972 as the Downtown Action Council for the economic benefit of the downtown merchants. In 1993, the name was changed to Downtown Gadsden, Inc. (DGI).

After the formation of the Alabama Main Street program, DGI began the revitalization of the historic downtown by utilizing services of the Alabama Historic Commission to assist the downtown merchants and property owners with facade improvements and other necessary improvements. In 1998, the new streetscape project was begun and when it was completed, many businesses began to come back to the revitalized downtown.