Georgia Communities Honored for Innovative Programs

ATLANTA - EntSun -- The Georgia City-County Management Association (GCCMA) recently honored four communities with a 2026 Community Program Award for their innovative programs. GCCMA established the Community Program Awards in 2024 to recognize organizations that have implemented innovative programs, projects or policies that address a defined problem or challenge for the community or organization. The 2026 Award winners were presented at the GCCMA Spring Conference on March 11, 2026, in Athens-Clarke County, GA.
The recipients of the 2026 GCCMA Community Program Awards are:

1. City of Watkinsville for Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation.

The Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation was a combination of three public-private partnerships that included the ESP Miracle Ball Field and ADA-accessible Playground of Possibilities, the Rocket Field multi-use community hub that was funded through private donations, non-profit contributions and city funds, and the Thomas Farm Preserve that protected 100 acres of greenspace.

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2. City of Lawrenceville for the F.I.R.S.T. Housing Center.

A long-vacant apartment complex was converted into the F.I.R.S.T. Housing Center, targeting adult men experiencing homelessness — a population unserved by existing resources. The model integrates housing, behavioral health assessment, case management, and a police co-responder program into individualized 90-day stabilization plans and replaced costly hotel voucher placements averaging $1,400–$1,600 monthly.

3. Emanuel County Public Safety Modernization Initiative. The Public Safety Modernization Initiative addressed longstanding gaps in interoperability, aging infrastructure, and fragmented emergency response throughout Emanuel County by implementing a strategy that relocated the outdated, flood-prone 911 Center into a newly constructed Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and then added deployment of a countywide digital radio system connecting local, state, and federal public safety partners.

4. Columbia County Hurricane Helene Response and Recovery.

When Hurricane Helene struck in September 2024, Columbia County activated a comprehensive, organization-wide response. The days following the hurricane were a time of uncertainty, as basic services were disrupted, and social media was rife with rumors and panic. The county used a comprehensive plan and strategy resulting in an organization-wide effort to clean up and fully recover from the unprecedented disaster.

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GCCMA President Adam Mestres, Morgan County Manager, presented the awards and said,"GCCMA is honored to recognize the efforts of these four organizations that represent the great work happening throughout Georgia to improve and enhance our communities." GCCMA is the premier association of professional local government leaders building sustainable communities to improve lives across Georgia with a mission to create excellence in local governance by fostering innovation, mentoring, networking, continuing education, and other professional development opportunities. Learn more about GCCMA at https://www.gccma.com.

Download high resolution photos here. (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/el604c1vdnfyiqfwcw9nb/AG0vrDSveAZ4UTTpxwYJ4QE?rlkey=nsfg33eixxscnyfa8bahi1e3b&st=foxwyf6t&dl=0)