Nine cities across Georgia have been named as 2026 Visionary City Award honorees by the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend. The awards, a joint effort between the two organizations, honors cities that have turned thoughtful planning into measurable results for their residents.
“These communities share a common approach: listening to residents, working collaboratively, and following through,” said Ben Young, publisher and editor-in-chief of Georgia Trend. “Their work shows that visionary leadership doesn’t depend on size or geography—it depends on purpose.”
The nine honorees represent small, medium, and large cities from across the state, addressing challenges from flood mitigation and land conservation to youth entrepreneurship and public safety—all grounded in strong partnerships and community input.
Here’s a closer look at the winning projects in a Georgia Downtown.
Hartwell
The City of Hartwell’s StartUP Hart program connects students with educators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders to turn business concepts into real ventures rooted in the local economy. Developed with Georgia Power’s CREATE program, Hart County Schools, and downtown development partners, the initiative combines mentorship, financial literacy training, and a pitch competition providing seed funding. Student-led businesses are now operating downtown, helping young people see a future in their hometown.
Suwanee
The City of Suwanee’s Town Center on Main completes a long-standing vision to unify Suwanee’s downtown by rerouting Main Street to connect historic Old Town with Town Center. The project unlocked new greenspace and improved walkability, adding gathering areas, water features, a pedestrian bridge, a Veterans Memorial, and Suwanee Circle, a municipally integrated food truck park. The result blends transportation improvements with placemaking to support both community life and economic vitality.
What connects these nine cities is a willingness to plan carefully, partner broadly, and act with purpose.
“Each of these initiatives reflects the kind of thoughtful, community-driven work happening in cities across Georgia every day,” said Larry Hanson, CEO and executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association. “They highlight strong ideas and strong partnerships, and offer examples other cities can learn from.”
