NLC Report Highlights Shifting City Fiscal Conditions

As cities move beyond the rapid post-pandemic rebound, the National League of Cities’ 2025 City Fiscal Conditions report shows that municipal governments are entering a new phase; one shaped by tighter budgets, slower growth, and increasing uncertainty.

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2025 City Fiscal Conditions
Events

Cities United Summit

GMA's Cities United Summit will take place at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park from January 23-26, 2026. Join other city officials for unmatched training opportunities, hear from candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and attend the Capitol Connection Breakfast followed by a “Cities United” trip to the Gold Dome.
Resources | Economy

The Value of Cities

The 2025 edition of The Value of Cities provides a snapshot of the impact cities have in Georgia and the investments they make to secure a vibrant economic future.
Article | Housing

Foundations for Growth: Rural Mayors Take on Georgia’s Housing Shortage

Across rural Georgia, mayors are finding creative ways to close the housing gap, from zoning updates to public-private partnerships. Their stories, shared at the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s Rural Prosperity Summit, reveal how housing drives workforce and community success.

Upcoming Events

Dec
02
DOAA Annual Immigration Report Webinar
Dec
04
Clerk Lunch & Learn
Albany
Dec
05
RMEBS DECEMBER 2025 BOARD MEETING
Dec
08
December 2025 Quarterly Georgia Government Communicators Meeting
Atlanta
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In the Spotlight

Grant and Award Opportunities | Community & Civic Engagement

All-America City Award

Each year, the National Civic League honors ten outstanding communities with the All-America City Award, celebrating excellence in local innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. This award highlights the potential within communities to address critical issues and drive meaningful change. Deadline: February 26, 2026
Viewpoints

Looking Up

October 16, 2025
GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson reflects on how “looking up” — both literally and figuratively — inspires perspective, optimism, and progress in Georgia’s cities, as communities address housing, drive economic growth, and turn challenges into opportunities through positive leadership and collaboration.

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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City Spotlight

Elberton, located in GMA's District 5, sits in Elbert County and has a population of about 4,640 people. The city was incorporated in 1803 and is known for being the Granite Capitol of the World. Elberton has more than 45 quarries for producing granite, as well as a granite museum featuring exciting historical exhibits, artifacts, and educational displays. Perhaps their most popular granite display is the 20,000-seat Granite Bowl historical football field made out of 100,000 tons of blue granite!

Fun Fact: Elberton has more than just granite to offer; it also has a rich history relating to the Revolutionary War and a lively downtown with various events and festivals.