Each week ACCG shares snapshots of counties, highlighting activities from 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.

October 31, 2026

Monroe County Celebrates New Facilities

Monroe County recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of a newly covered horse arena, as well as a groundbreaking ceremony for its future agricultural center. Commissioner Eddie Rowland served as the keynote speaker for the event, which was attended by approximately 100 people.

Coweta County Presents Proclamation for National Teen Driver Safety Week

The Coweta County Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation for National Teen Driver Safety Week, raising awareness about the leading causes of teen driver crashes and promoting safer driving behavior. The proclamation was given to the parents of Abby Bacho, who started the Abby’s Angel Foundation in her memory.

The Bulloch County Recreation and Parks Association was recognized as the District 1 Agency of the Year by the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association. The agency was honored for its commitment to providing quality recreational opportunities, maintaining community facilities, and serving residents of all ages.

Kourtney Mays, a Master of Public Administration student at Clark Atlanta University, spent her Georgia County Internship Program (GCIP) experience with Rockdale County's Human Resources Department. In addition to developing the county's first formal succession planning framework, she researched best practices, gathered input from internal stakeholders, helped launch a talent assessment pilot, and designed a toolkit to guide future workforce planning. 

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, joined by Walmart representatives and state and local leaders, broke ground on a new Walmart fulfillment center. The 1.5 million-square-foot facility represents a $1.3 billion investment that is expected to bring approximately 1,000 new jobs to the community.

ACCG in Focus

ACCG in Focus highlights the work of various ACCG departments and the dedicated staff behind them, showcasing the initiatives and collaborations that enable the association to advance Georgia’s counties.

(From left to right) Georgia Municipal Association Director of Communications Latisha Gray and ACCG Director of Communications & External Affairs Schuyler Harding welcoming attendees.

(From left to right) Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority Chief of Communications and External Affairs Shaheen Solomon, Chatham County Public Information Director Catherine Glasby, City of Fayetteville Public Information Officer Danny Harrison, and Clayton County Communications Administrator Valerie Fuller providing tips for building a communications team.

More than 100 local government communications professionals attended the 11th Annual Georgia Government Communicators Conference in Augusta-Richmond County, co-hosted by ACCG and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). The conference featured interactive tabletop exercises, presentations on various topics, including building trust in the age of technology and best practices for expanding a communications team, and offered networking opportunities for attendees.

Remembering ACCG Past President & Former Lumpkin County Sole Commissioner J.B. Jones

ACCG Past President and former Lumpkin County Sole Commissioner J.B. Jones passed away on Monday, Oct. 26. Jones served as Lumpkin County sole commissioner for 24 years (1973-1996) and as ACCG president in 1981. Prior to elected office, he spent time in the United States Army, having reached the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Part of his legacy in Lumpkin County includes establishing the Hospital Authority.


Click here to learn more about his life and legacy of public service.

ACCG and Georgia Trend magazine, the state's leading business publication, will once again host the Georgia County Excellence Awards. The Georgia County Excellence Awards honor counties that have taken innovative and cost-effective approaches to solving local issues. The application period is now open until Friday, Dec. 11, 2026. 

Click here to learn more.

Georgia County Marketplace

Have you checked out the Georgia County Marketplace? Powered by ACCG, the Georgia County Marketplace is a dedicated platform for counties to post job listings and requests for proposals, bids, and contract projects.

Click here to learn more.

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