Local Leaders Meet at State of the Community Address

Thursday was a "good news" day as community leaders from both the public and private sector got together at the beautiful new Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College in Cumming for the annual State of the Community Address.

Introductory remarks by President and CEO James McCoy were followed by comments from Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chairman Brian Tam, Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt and Board of Education Chairman Tom Cleveland.

Tam said, "It's no secret that Forsyth County is a great place to call home, a great place to raise a family and a great place to do business. But that didn't happen over night."

Tam, who is now in his second term on the Board of Commissioners, said Forsyth County's success is a result of a strong vision and a solid relationship with the business community and the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

He said while not exempt from the economic challenges, Forsyth County has continued to be a leader in job creation with an unemployment rate below the state average. He also discussed the opening of Fowler Park which he called an "economic engine" for the county that would attract new business.

Gravitt said he was proud that Cumming had been recognized by the Georgia Senate as one of the best run cities in the state and added that things like that don't happen by accident.

"Our city council has over two centuries of collective service to the city," he said. "We're the only municipal government that provides this level of service and doesn't have a city assessed property tax. Last year, we balanced our budget with a little left over."

Gravitt said the community has shown a lot of interest in the city's new 50,000 square foot Aquatic Center which will open in early June ().

"The community has been asking a lot of questions about it and we're very proud of it," he said.

He cited numerous other accomplishments, including the new driver's service center, the new campus of North Georgia College and State University, and a new National Guard facility all of which will open on property adjacent to the Aquatic Center.

Cleveland praised his fellow school board commissioners and the school system staff for keeping up with the large influx of students without having to raise the millage rate the past three years.

"I find that amazing," he said. "We're growing at a rate of 1,700 students a year. To put that in perspective, that is about one new high school each year."

He also praised the community for passing the education SPLOST earlier this year. "That shows we're for education in Forsyth County," he said.