James May-June 2023 web - Flipbook - Page 26
the reservoir was to assume the driver’s seat in how the
land is protected and developed around the beautiful
and pristine Lake Canton.”
Becker Robotic Equipment, a global cable and
robotic machinery manufacturer specializing in individualized robotic equipment, is also locating its new manufacturing facility and North American headquarters in
the Bluffs. And it will deliver more than $30 million in
investment and create 137 new jobs.
“We have a major interest in other potential investors of equal or higher caliber companies. This development will also have a direct connection to the new
Technology Ridge Parkway, a five-phase project that
will connect Bluffs Parkway to the expanding Cherokee
County Regional Airport.” Grant says.
The “Roadmap for Success” was designed as a 15year plan, but by the end of 2022 the mayor and council
discovered that, less than two years into the plan, they
had accomplished, completed or were nearing completion of just over 70 percent of the projects.
City leaders are looking to add a ninth tenet for arts
and culture, as well as other plans. They are discussing
the concept of creating a special Creative District in the
city to promote arts and culture business endeavors and
as a revitalization and economic development tool.
South Canton’s first park project and a state-ofthe-art dog park, a citywide parks and recreation
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masterplan, and continued parkland and greenspace
acquirement along the Etowah River are also under
consideration.
It was just last year, it should be noted, that the
Georgia Municipal Association bestowed the Visionary
City Award to Canton based on the roadmap and its
effectiveness with moving the city forward in a very positive direction. “In addition, we have had several other
Georgia cities, mayors, council members, city managers,
and other representatives visit Canton to learn about our
roadmap process and see our success firsthand. Many of
these cities are now in the process of creating their own
roadmaps, and that truly fulfills our tenet of ‘Leading with
Excellence’ on a statewide level,” Grant says.
Future plans for historic downtown Canton also
include pedestrian connectivity for downtown and The
Mill on Etowah along the West Main Street corridor.
In addition, Canton is expanding its footprint and using new strategic tools, such as the creation of a new Tax
Allocation District (TAD) to enhance and elevate some of
the lesser served downtown-adjacent areas in the city.
“One exciting project will be the redesign and
reimaging of the Hickory Flat Highway-Exit 16 gateway
entrance from 575 into downtown Canton that has long
been ignored,” Grant said. “Through the TAD and a
focused effort by mayor, council, and staff, the gateway
will be designed as a worthy and notable entrance into
the Coolest Small Town in America.”
“The exciting and impressive progress is placed into
perspective,” the mayor concludes, “when you realize
most of our success was accomplished during a global
pandemic, and we have done all of this while still maintaining the lowest millage rate in Cherokee County,
one of the lowest in the state and the lowest ever in the
city’s history for the past four years. That’s a true win
for our citizens.”
Rebecca Johnston is an award-winning journalist, former managing
editor and columnist for The Cherokee Tribune. A lifelong resident of
Cherokee County, she is the author of three books, including Cherokee
County, Georgia: A History.