James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 21
we encouraged people to build a downtown they
wanted to be in— and that has worked.”
Among Caldwell’s goals are home ownership
and commercial diversification while attracting the
type of jobs that support the type of people who
live downtown. The city’s total business revenue in
2019 was $22.2 million and it grew to a whopping
$3.7 billion in 2022.
Tackling Challenges
As newly elected Holly Springs Mayor Ryan
Shirley takes over leadership of the city this year,
he plans to focus on retaining the small town feel
of the city while preparing for a vibrant future.
With the new Town Center now taking shape,
Shirley says, “the biggest challenge facing Holly
Springs right now is how to manage all the growth
while preserving the city’s character and quality
of life,” Shirley said. “People are concerned about
traffic, and we need to play catch-up with our infrastructure needs.”
Shirley says working with other leaders in
the city and throughout the county will have a
positive impact on the future— and he says he’s
dedicated to bringing everyone together to work
on solutions.
“Planning is important. We all pay taxes to
everyone, and we need to make sure we balance
development with the need to improve infrastructure. Our city’s growth brings many opportunities, but it also raises concerns about increased
traffic and availability of affordable housing,” the
mayor notes.
Shirley wants to further protect green space in
the city as well as improve the city’s trail system
and work to connect trails countywide. Bottom
line: He says “by fostering thoughtful growth, we
can ensure that Holly Springs remains a welcoming and vibrant community for families, businesses, and future generations.”
Mindful of the County’s Needs
A chamber of commerce is viewed by many as
“the front door to the community,” Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Pam
Carnes says. “That’s why it’s focused on creating
economic vitality so whether consumers or businesses are making the move, they find personal
and economic satisfaction when they do.”
The chamber’s DestinationCherokeeGA.com
tourism efforts are geared toward educating residents and visitors regarding all there is to see and
do in Cherokee County— “Where Metro Meets the
Mountains.”
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