South Georgia Mayors Hold Roundtable Meeting with Congressman Austin Scott

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith hosted Congressman Austin Scott and several South Georgia mayors on Wednesday, August 19, for a roundtable discussion on the latest issues affecting their communities and GMA’s federal policy priorities.

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Article | Housing

Keys to Housing: A New Resource for Developing Local Housing Strategy

Homeownership in Georgia has fallen from 72% in 2002 to about 64% today, and businesses say the housing shortage is hurting their ability to hire. A new guide gives cities a step-by-step approach to building housing strategies that work, grounded in real examples from communities across the state.
Article | Social Media

Social Media & the Law: What Every City Official Needs to Know

Managing city social media accounts raises First Amendment questions that most officials never see coming. This webinar covers the public forum rules that govern official pages and what two recent Supreme Court decisions mean for officials who mix personal accounts with city business.
Updates

GMA Named a 2026 Atlanta Top Workplace

GMA has been named a 2026 Atlanta Top Workplace, earning recognition for its workplace culture and employee experience. GMA placed among the top 50 workplaces in Metro Atlanta in the category for organizations with fewer than 150 employees.

Upcoming Events

Aug
24
Georgia Fire Service Conference 2026
Augusta
Aug
26
2026 Mayors Leadership Academy
Athens
Aug
27
Partners In Risk Summit - Athens
Athens
Aug
31
GeorgiaForward Pickleball Round Robin
Macon
View Full Calendar

In the Spotlight

Grant and Award Opportunities | Parks & Recreation

Tire Products (Tire) Grant

The Tire Products (Tire) Grant provides financial support to projects in Georgia to reduce solid waste, support manufacturing and market development for scrap tires, and encourage innovation. Deadline: September 30, 2026
Article | Information Technology & Cybersecurity

Time, Trust and Invisibility: What AI Success Looks Like

August 19, 2026
Artificial intelligence should save Georgia cities time, earn residents' trust, and eventually disappear into the background. Those were the answers three city elected officials gave Friday, Aug. 14, during a panel discussion on how local government is putting the technology to work.

Smart Solutions for City Success

Empowering City Leaders with Knowledge and Skills

The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute offers city officials a comprehensive learning experience, covering everything from municipal finance and budgeting to ethics and data literacy. Designed to enhance leadership and expertise in local government, this program is a partnership between GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government—equipping officials with the tools they need to serve their communities effectively.

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Person receiving training certificate.

City Spotlight

Eatonton, located in GMA’s District 6, is a Putnam County city with a population of about 6,307 people. Incorporated in 1808, Eatonton is a historic city with a charming downtown and beautiful architecture. The downtown is known for its unique shopping experience as well as the various dining options. The city also has plenty of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, camping, etc.

Fun Fact: Eatonton is the birthplace of Joel Chandler Harris, journalist and author.