winner CANTON award

CantonGA.gov

Festivals dot the calendar throughout the year. Many festivals are dog friendly and include food trucks, artisan vendors, live music, and more.

City of HOLLY SPRINGS

TheCity of Holly Springs is a beautiful 7.37 square miles of friendly neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and early-twentieth century homes and commercial buildings. The city was incorporated in 1906, and quickly began building up around a busy train depot established by the L&N Railroad (now Patriot Rail). That depot, now the Holly Springs Community Center, was painstakingly restored by the city in the late 1990s and is a source of immense civic pride for the more than 20,500 residents who call Holly Springs home.

Mention Holly Springs these days, and most likely the conversation will turn to the Town Center Project. In the making for many, many years, the city celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2021 to officially mark the start of construction work at the landmark new development near the intersection of Hickory Road and Holly Springs Parkway. The longanticipated Town Center will further energize Downtown Holly Springs with a walkable, Main Street inspired destination that weaves together civic and community spaces with an array of retail, restaurant and residential offerings.

At the heart of the Holly Springs Town Center will be a new city hall, envisioned as a 16,000 square foot, three-story brick and stone design with an iconic clock tower and charming early 20th century-inspired architecture honoring the rich history of the community. Rolled out in front of it will be the inviting Market Plaza and Grand Lawn—perfect for festivals, markets and community events like the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, Autumn Fest, Christmas Parade and more. The other end of the Grand Lawn will feature a new outdoor amphitheater while on either side, visitors will find more than 30,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Public spaces will be served with ample parking including a dedicated parking deck.

Ball Ground, in the northern part of Cherokee County, is a lively community of more than 2,500 residents. Located just north of Atlanta, Ball Ground is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Our quaint city is known for its historic main street characterized by unique shops and restaurants, numerous historic homes, and great recreation opportunities.

Walton Communities will bring 250 one-, two-, and three-bedroom residential flats for lease to Holly Springs Town Center. Stonecrest Homes will introduce a variety of new home options including attached town homes and detached city homes. Both offerings will give residents walkable access to restaurants, shops, green spaces, and events.

To see more on the vision for Holly Springs Town Center and follow progress and the latest updates, visit HollySpringsTownCenter.com or connect with @HollySpringsTownCenter on Instagram and Facebook or @Holly SpringsTC on Twitter.

City of WALESKA

Holly Springs

• The city’s 2022 Property Tax Digest is comprised of 75.27% residential, 17.84% commercial, 1.01% utility franchises, 2.94% industrial, and 2.39% agricultural by valuation.

• The average resident is from 35 to 44 years of age.

• Tree City USA (2018–present)

• Main Street America (2015–present)

• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association–2010-present

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association (2012–2020)

Located in the northern portion of Cherokee County along State Routes 140 and 108 is the quiet community of Waleska. Home to nearly 1,000 residents—the population increases to approximately 1,550 when residential students from Reinhardt University are counted—the town has a rich history. Settled in the early 1800s primarily by the Reinhardt, Sharp, Rhyne, and Heard families, the community was thriving by 1856 when the crossroads was home to a store, cotton gin, and tobacco factory. A post office soon followed, and the town was incorporated in 1889. The name Waleska dates to the mid-1800s when area farmers Lewis Reinhardt and his wife named it in honor of Warluskee, the daughter of a nearby Cherokee chief, to show their sympathy for the Cherokees as they were forced to move west.

Today, the city is home to Reinhardt University, a four-year, coeducational, liberal arts institution. Since its founding by A. M. Reinhardt, the school has anchored the town’s economy and added to its culture, most notably through the Funk Heritage Center, which is dedicated to the art and history of Southeastern Indians and European settlers.

Perhaps Waleska’s best asset is its people. The residents of the small, close-knit community pride themselves on caring for and protecting one another. Waleska’s city leaders are working to enhance the inviting feel of the community and capitalize on the wonderful sense of place a visitor can experience while in town.

Waleska is also home to the historic Cline’s Store which was constructed in the 1920s as a general store. Once a place where local residents could purchase all types of supplies ranging from shoes and school supplies to potatoes and horse collars, the 100-year-old building reopened in 2014 as an antiques store. The historic feel of Cline’s makes it a must-see for all visitors to Waleska.

• Incorporated in 1889

• Accessible via State Routes 140 and 108

• Population: 921 residents; population increases to approximately 1,550 counting residential students at Reinhardt University

• Home to the 134-year-old Reinhardt University