Canton Collective | July 2026

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Shine Bright, Canton! | Mayor's Moment

I have just returned from the 2026 Annual Convention of the Georgia Municipal Association, where I was joined by Councilors Shawn Tolan, Dwayne Waterman, and Darrell Rice. Each year, this gathering brings together municipal leaders from across Georgia to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen the relationships that help our communities succeed. This year's theme, "Georgia Cities Shine Bright," celebrated the dedicated local leaders who work every day to solve challenges, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life for the people they serve. The convention was especially meaningful as our nation begins commemorating its 250th anniversary with a reminder of the vital role cities have played throughout our history and one that Canton continues to fulfill with pride.

Leading with Excellence

Once again, the City of Canton was recognized for its leadership in a variety of areas. From our strategic planning process and long-term roadmap, which other cities are now looking to as a model, to our work in attainable housing, affordability, placemaking, and responsible growth; Canton continues to earn a reputation for thoughtful, forward-looking leadership. That recognition belongs not only to your Mayor and Council, but also to our outstanding city staff, community partners, volunteers, and engaged citizens. Together, we have built a culture of Leading with Excellence that reflects responsible stewardship, fiscal discipline, and a shared commitment to making Canton an even better place to live, work, play, and serve. While I am proud of how far we've come, I am even more excited about what lies ahead.

Serving the Citizens

I was also honored to be elected by my fellow municipal leaders to serve another year on the Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors. The 66-member board represents cities across Georgia and helps shape legislative priorities and policies that impact communities throughout our state. In addition, I was grateful to receive the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute's Certificate of Achievement, recognizing more than 72 hours of continuing education in municipal leadership and governance. The opportunity to learn from experts and collaborate with fellow mayors and elected officials has been invaluable, and I remain committed to bringing those experiences home to better serve the citizens of Canton.

Together as a Community

July promises to be another busy and productive month. Your Mayor and Council will finalize and adopt the FY 2027 budget, while continuing our commitment to maintaining one of the lowest possible millage rates and delivering exceptional city services in a fiscally responsible manner. We will also come together as a community to celebrate Independence Day and begin honoring America's 250th anniversary, a milestone that reminds us of the freedoms we cherish and the responsibility we all share in building strong communities.

As the summer sun shines brightly across our city, so too does the spirit of Canton. Together, we will continue working every day to ensure that our community remains a place where families thrive, businesses prosper, and opportunities abound.



Shine Bright, Canton! - Mayor Bill

Small Town Cool 4th of July!

Join the City of Canton as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with our Small Town Cool 4th of July Celebration!

Festivities include:

• Parade at 6 PM on Reinhardt College Pkwy.
• Concert at 7:30 PM in Etowah River Park - The Tutton Group Presents: Rupert's Orchestra
• Fireworks at 9:30 PM launched from Etowah River Park

Know Before You Go:

The parade is hosted this year by the City of Canton, in partnership with the American Legion. See map below for parade route!

We hope to see you for all the July 4 festivities as we party for the U.S.A.!

Great music, good food, and family fun take center stage at First Friday in Downtown Canton this Friday, July 3, from 6-9 PM. Enjoy late night shopping, world-class restaurants, a Kids Zone, a huge variety food and beverage vendors along Main Street, and a CRUISE IN with antique, vintage and unique vehicles!

Opening up the evening is Erin Kirby. This Georgia-born country artist has captivated audiences with her unmistakable voice and heartfelt songwriting, earning performances everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to the South by Southwest stage. We’re excited to welcome Erin Kirby to the First Friday stage!

He's coming home! We’re excited to welcome Season 22 winner of The Voice and Prime Time Country Music’s “Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2026” to Canton's First Friday! Bryce Leatherwood is bringing new life to traditional country music. With a powerful, unmistakable voice and the rich twang of his Georgia roots, he blends classic country sound with a modern edge. His deep respect for country’s past and fresh energy for the future make him one of the genre’s rising stars.

Presented by The Tutton Group, the 2026 River Rock Concert Series is going back to the roots of Country music!

On July 18, River Rock welcomes to the stage, local Country music artist Mark Wills.

It was “19(90) Somethin’” when Grand Ole Opry member Mark Wills went from singing at Atlanta’s infamous Buckboard to releasing his first of 19 Billboard-charting singles across seven albums including “Wish You Were Here,” “Jacob’s Ladder”, “I Do (Cherish You)”, “Places I’ve Never Been,” “Don’t Laugh at Me,” and No. 1 single “Wish You Were Here.”

While climbing his musical ‘ladder,’ he has recorded Gold and Platinum albums and released some of the most enduring and recognizable Country Music hits of the last 25 Years. One of his biggest hits to date is the RIAA Gold-certified “19 Somethin’” – a six-week No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

He also has taken more than a dozen trips to entertain U.S. troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Korea, and Italy. Wills continues to hit the road with his high-energy show full of hits that were the soundtrack to so many people’s lives.

River Rock, hosted every third Sat., May-Aug. from 6-10 p.m. at the beautiful Etowah River Park, features local food trucks, beverage vendors, a children's area, and so much more! Best of all, River Rock is a FREE event, so bring your family, friends, lawn chairs, and get ready to rock and boot-scoot!

On the agenda for the July 2 Council Meeting includes (but is not limited to):

Guests and Visitors

• Proclamation for America 250

Public Hearings

• Public Hearing for a rezoning of the Polecat Mountain Winery Site
• Public Hearing for the FY2027 Millage Rate

Information Only

• Information on a rezoning and conditional use permit request at 109 Railroad from Light Industrial to Central Business District to include a church use
• Information on a request to convert townhomes to stacked multifamily at Riverstone Retreat
• Information on a request to annex, rezone, masterplan, vary and conditional use permit for 167-unit subdivision along Ball Ground Highway and Fate Conn Road
• Information on a request to amend Pods J1 & J2 at River Green to allow for single family detached homes
• Information on a request to annex and rezone 176 acres off Old Shoal Creek Road for a 199-lot single-family detached neighborhood

Consent Agenda

• Approval of a text amendment for artisan and small-scale manufacturing
• Approval of a contract for construction of the West Main Pedestrian Corridor Project
• Approval of a task order with Keck & Wood to design a traffic signal at Railroad Street and Waleska Street

Old Business

• Discussion and Possible Action on a conditional use permit for multifamily as part of a mixed-use construction project at 261 East Main Street
• Discussion and Possible Action on an annexation, rezoning, and variance for a general commercial lot at 1763 Ball Ground Highway
• Discussion and Possible Action on the contract to replace the roof at 151 Elizabeth Street
• Discussion and Possible Action to abandon Lee Street

New Business

• Presentation of the Fy2027 Proposed Budget & Fee Schedule
• Discussion and Possible Action to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and settle Hwy 140 Project Parcels
• Discussion and Possible Action for Inspection and Envelope Services on the roof project at 151 Elizabeth Street
• Discussion of Amending the School Safety Zone Maps to include the new Cherokee High School site

For the complete meeting agenda, visit https://canton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Header photo caption: Canton is decorated and ready to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the USA on July 4 with a parade, concert, and fireworks show!