Georgia's Local Lens (Week of August 26, 2023)

Each week ACCG shares photos highlighting activities from counties around the state

and the ACCG team at work. Email your photos to locallens@accg.org.

Note: Local Lens submissions submitted prior to 12:00 p.m. on each Friday will be included in that week's edition. Submissions received after that will be included in the following week’s newsletter.

August 26, 2023

Fulton County Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Behavioral Health Crisis Center

Fulton County recently held a groundbreaking for the new Behavioral Health Crisis Center, the first of its kind in the county. The center will be operated 24/7 and will contain 24 beds and 16 observation chairs. Construction of the new facility will be completed in 2024.

Floyd County Holds Active Shooter Class

Floyd County officers hosted an EMA SAFE class on emergency plans for workspaces and churches. The class, led by Floyd County Police Sgt. William Wacker, covered safe practices to follow in the event of an active shooter.

Lowndes County Fire Rescue Gives Playground Firetruck a Makeover

Clyattville Elementary School received a made-over fire truck at their school playground. During an event in May, Lowndes County Firefighters noticed that the firetruck had weathered due to use and increased weather exposure. As a result, the team took it upon themselves to remake the beloved playground equipment. The remade piece includes new wheels, paint, seats, steering wheels and the Lowndes County Fire Rescue seal on the front.

Chattooga County Expands Broadband Access

Kinetic by Windstream and Chattooga County recently announced the start of their project expanding fiber broadband service in Chattooga County. 3,400 citizens without internet will gain access to high-speed fiber. During the announcement, state representatives discussed the importance of broadband projects in rural communities and current state funding towards broadband service across Georgia. Chattooga County is excited to provide quality internet to those who work from home or do online schooling in their community.

Henry County Presents Proclamation to Mercer University's Regional Academic Center

Henry County Chair Carlotta Harrell and District 5 Commissioner Kevin J. Lewis presented Mercer University’s Henry County Regional Academic Center with a proclamation in recognition of its 20th year anniversary at the University's observance ceremony.

Gwinnett County Hosts Ribbon Cutting on Spalding Drive Widening Project

Gwinnett County, Peachtree Corners, and Sandy Springs officials celebrated the completion of the Spalding Drive widening project. The project widened the segment of Spalding Drive from a two-lane to a four-lane road with a center turn lane, added nearly 3,000 feet of a new 10-foot-wide multiuse path, and replaced the existing bridge over Crooked Creek. Construction on the project began in spring 2020 and was funded in part by Gwinnett County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

Dougherty County Commissioner Appointed to NACo Membership Standing Committee

Dougherty County Commissioner Anthony Jones was recently appointed by the National Association of Counties (NACO) President Mary Jo McGuire to the Membership Standing Committee. The Membership Standing Committee actively recruits and retains member counties, parishes, and boroughs to increase NACo’s total membership.

Rockdale Senior Services Honored with Distinguished Service Award for Their Dedication to Safety

The Olivia Haydel Senior Center was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for elder abuse awareness and prevention. The award was presented by the Rockdale County Protecting our Elderly and At-Risk with Resources for Better Living Program ( PEARL) during their annual senior luncheon.

Emanuel County Awarded Recreation Grant

Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission Executive Director Brett Manning attended an Emanuel County Commission meeting to present three checks totaling over $5 million. The funds will be used to revitalize the recreation department and kickstart many new projects.

ACCG Governmental Affairs Staff Speak at Meetings Across the State

This week, ACCG Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Todd Edwards and GMA Director of Government Relations Jim Thornton partnered in presenting a legislative update to the Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators (GAZA) at Brasstown Valley in Towns County. Additionally, ACCG Director of Governmental Affairs Clint Mueller presented to the state Senate Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce which to meeting took place at the Kia Georgia Training Center in Troup County.

ACCG Staff Attend Maryland Association of Counties Annual Conference

ACCG's Director of Leadership Development Jeff Christie and County Consulting Services Associate Brent Williams recently attended the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Conference in Worcester County, Maryland. They are pictured with MACo Executive Directer Michale Sanderson (center).

2023 ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference - Registration Now Open

Registration is open now for the Legislative Leadership Conference. Join ACCG, your county colleagues, and state leaders on October 11-13 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County for the Association’s fall policy conference. Attend the LLC to ensure your county's concerns are considered when voting on the 2024 Proposed Policy Agenda and Legislative Priorities and to participate in several engaging educational opportunities. To learn more about the LLC, click here.

Tell Us What's Happening in Your County!

ACCG wants to share positive news about events and projects from your county with your peers from across the state. Photos and story ideas submitted to ACCG for Georgia's Local Lens or the Georgia County Spotlight may be used in this e-newsletter or on ACCG's website or social media. Photos and other information used are provided courtesy of our county constituents and ACCG staff. For questions or information, please email locallens@accg.org.

To submit photos and captions for Georgia's Local Lens, click here.

To submit photos and project information for Georgia County Spotlight, click here.