New Guides Help Cities Engage Young People in Civic Life

GeorgiaForward has released two new guides to help cities engage young people through reading and civic learning as part of the America250 celebration. GeorgiaForward Managing Director Sadie Krawczyk explains what's in them and how local officials can put them to use.

Read the Q&A

Updates

Four Cities Complete Economic Placemaking Collaborative

GMA and the Georgia Cities Foundation have announced that Clarkston, Perry, Union City, and Warner Robins have successfully completed the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative (GEPC), a two-year initiative designed to help communities strengthen downtowns and neighborhood centers through community-driven economic development strategies. 
Updates

Gov. Kemp Announces Third Round of Rural Site Development Grants

Governor Kemp announced on January 30 the third round of grants from the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) within the OneGeorgia Authority. With $4.3 million included in this latest allotment, the total investment committed to rural site development projects since the program’s launch in FY 2025 is now up to $21 million.
Article | Public Safety

Supreme Court Clarifies Standard for Emergency Home Entries

On January 14, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Case v. Montana addressing when police may enter a home without a warrant during an emergency. The decision settles a longstanding debate among courts about what standard officers must meet before conducting warrantless entries to help someone in crisis.

Upcoming Events

Feb
11
District 9 Clerk Lunch & Learn 2026
Vidalia
Feb
12
2026 Winter Training
Griffin
Feb
12
A Guide to Municipal IT Budget Planning in 2026
Feb
18
District 9 Mayors' Meeting
Metter
View Full Calendar

In the Spotlight

Viewpoints

Advocacy to Stewardship: Representing Our Communities Well

January 22, 2026
"When we approach advocacy as stewardship, we reframe the conversation from lobbying for special treatment or defending turf to honoring our responsibility to the people who call our cities home."
Viewpoints

Is Unity Possible in Contentious Political Times?

January 22, 2026
"Many of our leaders—past and present—have called for unity, only to abandon the idea when it becomes inconvenient or politically risky. Yet we often vote against the very thing we most need: strong leadership that helps us come together."

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.

Learn More

City Spotlight

Aldora, located in Lamar County and GMA's District 4, was incorporated in 1906. The city made headlines in 2020 when its population dropped to zero during redevelopment. That changed in 2023 when Aldora annexed Powell Place apartments, bringing the population to approximately 189 residents.

Interesting Fact: Aldora is a historic mill town. In February 2026, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Continental Tires will close its Aldora plant by the end of 2026, ending a nearly 40-year chapter in the town's history.