James_Jan-Feb_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 17
CANTON MAYOR BILL GRANT SPEAKING ON THE NORTHSIDE CHEROKEE EXPANSION
CANTON
This city has something to offer
everyone with its charming, historic downtown, the natural beauty
of the Etowah River, strong and vibrant neighborhoods and bustling
commercial districts.
With all it has to offer residents
it is no surprise that Canton is one
of the fastest growing cities in the
state, with an estimated population
of more than 39,000 residents.
Canton Mayor Bill Grant says a
“Roadmap for Success” has put the
city in a class of its own, by celebrating the diversity of the city with cultural events for all tastes, expanding
the city’s regional economic success
and improving the city’s infrastructure for future generations.
“Our Roadmap for Success
aligns our strategic plan with the
priorities identified by our citizens;
including beautiful parks and
trails, preserving and enhancing
historic downtown Canton, creating great neighborhoods, improving our infrastructure, promoting
regional economic development,
and leading with excellence,” the
mayor continues. “Most of all, the
people who live, work, play, and
serve truly make Canton special
and help create the Coolest Small
Town in America.”
For Grant, preserving the historic assets of downtown Canton
is the cornerstone of his Roadmap
for Success. By the way, the mayor
serves as president of the Georgia
Municipal Association District 3
North.
“Throughout the state and
during my meetings on the Georgia Municipal Association's Board
of Directors, I constantly am asked
how we accomplish so much.
Everyone is talking about Canton,
and our Roadmap for Success has
allowed us to work productively
and strategically. We work hard to
preserve our past while promoting
adaptive reuse of old buildings,
such as the Jones Mercantile, The
Mill on Etowah, and many more,”
Grant said.
The city has also prepared and
negotiated for approval of the intergovernmental agreement for the
North Street Gateway Project to include courthouse expansion, unified
parking deck development, mixeduse development, and a downtown
boutique hotel, Grant said.
Work is also underway to improve the gateway entrance to the
downtown area from Interstate
575 Exit 16. Property has been
purchased and funding approved
for the transformational Hickory
Flat Highway gateway project, including a new pedestrian bridge
and replacement bridge across
Canton Creek. Construction on
the new South Canton Park,
cherokeega org
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