Georgia's Local Lens (Week of September 17, 2023) SPLOST Funded Projects, Counties Win Awards and More...

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.

September 23, 2023

Newton County Expands Josephine Brown Senior Center

An excited crowd gathered outside the Josephine B. Brown Senior Center in Newton County to celebrate the opening of the center’s expansion. The additional 2,973 square feet of the center will provide a banquet room and event space, a classroom, and enrichment lab. The expansion will provide the county's Senior Services the opportunity to offer set activities and classes without juggling schedules due to rooms being overcrowded thanks to increased attendance. The improvements to the facility came to fruition after the Newton County Board of Commissioners approved $1.125 million in unallocated funds from the 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The 2017 SPLOST originally allocated $1.7 million for an expansion that opened in January 2020.

Three County Commissioners Named as "Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence"

Three county commissioners have been recognized by the Atlanta Business League as "Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence". The list, published each year by the league, reflects the names of Black women in the metro Atlanta community who have reached senior level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically and in government. Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell has been named to the list for a second consecutive year. Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall and DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson also join Harrell on this year’s list of honorees.

Pictured Left to Right: Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall, Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell and DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

Paulding County Receives "Outstanding Innovations in Elections" Award from the EAC

The Paulding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration was this year's recipient of the Election Assistance Commission's (EAC) Clearinghouse Award for "Outstanding Innovation in Elections" for the county's work during the 2022 midterm election. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger congratulated Paulding County and praised them for their work. "Election offices like Paulding County may not be the ones you hear about during elections, but they are leading the way in serving their customers – the Georgia voter," said Raffensperger. "I congratulate Paulding County for this fantastic recognition.”

Paulding County Elections Director Deidre Holden

Gwinnett County Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Library

Gwinnett County officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the new Elizabeth H. Williams Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Features of the new library include adult, teen, and children’s areas, 30 computer workstations, and a multipurpose room. The county’s $10.2 million contribution to the project was funded by SPLOST.

Bryan County Chairman Carter Infinger with Gov. Brian Kemp at Hyundai Megasite

Gov. Kemp Tours Hyundai Mega Plant in Bryan County

This week, Gov. Brian Kemp visited Bryan County to tour the Hyundai Megasite along with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung. Bryan County Chairman Carter Infinger joined Gov. Kemp on the tour of the soon to be Hyundai Motor Group Megaplant.

Floyd County Solid Waste Department Installs Pollinator Garden

The Floyd County Solid Waste Department along with volunteers from Berry College installed a pollinator garden at the Berryhill remote site. The garden will help to improve the local area by providing a pleasant looking space to dispose of trash for local residents, as well as creating a pollination section for insects.

Coweta County Parks and Leisure Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Disc Golf Course

A new disc golf course is now open in Coweta County. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new course was held recently with many local officials in attendance. Coweta County Commissioner Bill McKenzie spoke on the SPLOST funds used to finance the new course and welcomed guest to the ribbon cutting. Coweta County Parks and Recreation staff also assisted in the ceremony as well as the Coweta County Disc Golf Club (CCDGC).

There's still time to register 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.