City of Woodstock, Georgia

During the 2024 Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference today, Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia broke tourism records for the second year in a row and maintained its No. 5 market share ranking among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for the fourth consecutive year. In 2023, Georgia reached a new high of 171 million domestic and international visitors who spent a record $43.6 billion on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and other local businesses across the state. This visitation generated $79.7 billion in total economic impact and supported more than 463,400 jobs statewide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MMlDll

Catch up on Mayor Michael Caldwell's new series of updates on major infrastructure projects taking place in the city in the latest edition of the City of Woodstock Email News - https://lnkd.in/ehyxDpuE

Woodstock Police Chief Robert Jones was among 255 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on Thursday, September 12th. The 291st?session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 26 countries, 7 military organizations, and 7 federal civilian organizations. ? Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. ? “With over 25 years in law enforcement, a Master’s in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University, and an Executive Certificate in Leadership and Management from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Chief Jones was already a highly qualified expert in the field of law enforcement,” said City Manager Jeff Moon. “Becoming a graduate of the FBI National Academy puts Chief Jones in the highest 1% of all senior law enforcement in the world.” ? The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits all the National Academy courses offered. A total of 55,440 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.

The City of Woodstock posthumously presented retired Firefighter David Gray with the Tessa Basford Award in recognition of his steadfast demonstration of service before self at the September 9th Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council. Gray was scheduled to receive the award in person at Monday’s meeting, but he passed away on Sunday, September 8th?after a 33-month battle with cancer. ? Gray, known affectionately by his coworkers as Dega Dave, joined the Woodstock Fire Department in 2005. He began his career as a firefighter with the City of Morrow four years earlier. ? At Monday’s Council Meeting, Mayor Michael Caldwell was joined by Fire Chief Shane Dobson and Deputy Fire Chief Jimmy Eley as he read a proclamation presenting the award to the chiefs to get safely to the Gray family. The mayor expressed the gratitude of the city and Woodstock City Council saying it was an honor to have been the professional home of Firefighter Gray. ? “I hope that, were I ever to face a similar situation, I could rise to the moment the way that David Gray did,” said Mayor Michael Caldwell. “Just a spectacular human being who left every room he was in brighter, he was a spectacular example of not just sharing joy but pointing to God in the midst of all of it.” Mayor Caldwell concluded his remarks with a moment of silence in the Council Chambers as a tribute to David Gray and in honor of his family. ? Funeral Services for David Gray will be held on Friday, September 13th?at 1 pm at His Hands Church. A procession with public safety employees and apparatus will take place from the church to Lakeside Funeral Home. All are welcome to participate in the procession. A final farewell for immediate family only will take place following the procession. ? In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in honor of Gray to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Using the email address [email protected] ensures the family receives acknowledgement of the donation in David’s memory.

Pocket Neighborhoods. Transitional Housing. Housing Attainability. These were just a few of the important topics covered during the Cherokee Regional Housing Forum hosted by the City of Woodstock, Georgia last week. A big thank you to Tracy Albers, Mayor Michael Caldwell, Will Johnston with MicroLife Institute, Inc. , and many others for their leadership and foresight in addressing the need for a new approach to housing in our community. Explore the concept of "Less Space, More Life" further by visiting Microlife Institute at https://lnkd.in/gekr4xTH. For an in-depth look at the forum discussions, be sure to check out The Council for Quality Growth's comprehensive summary here: https://lnkd.in/eRqtSfbC #HousingForum #CommunityDevelopment #AffordabilitySolutions

We are underway extending the trail system from the trailhead at the Woodstock Arts Green, underneath Hwy92, all the way to Cobb County’s Noonday Creek Park where they will meet us with a connection all the way into the Silver Comet Trail. Our extension should be open this time next year. We are hard at work expanding the trail system all over the city!

The City Center Parking Deck is getting so close: ???Yes, it will be free! ???633 spaces! ???Completion late December, open and available Q1 of 2025!

We've got another Friday update for you! Mayor Michael Caldwell visited Woodstock's Downtown Parking Deck this week to share a first look inside with some stats and Winter Construction's timeline for completion. We loved the conversation around last week's update on the Noonday Creek Trail Extension. Next up, Mayor will visit Little River Park to share about the progress. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube so you don't miss an update and you can find in depth news at https://lnkd.in/ed_TUmRz

Perk up your business and your day! Join us at Woodstock Coffee Co. on Aug 30 from 1-3 PM for a Business Owner Open House to help shape the future of Hwy 92. It's a chance to blend your ideas with others in the community. Don't miss this latte of opportunity! Visit woodstockHwy92.com to learn more.

The City of Woodstock is pleased to announce the reappointment of Coty Thigpen, Deputy City Manager of Woodstock, to the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Municipal Workforce Development Advisory Council for the 2024-2025 year. The Advisory Council plays a vital role in addressing workforce challenges facing Georgia's city governments. The Council works to: ·??????Evaluate how GMA can assist cities in overcoming workforce issues. ·??????Provide guidance and oversight to GMA's workforce development initiatives. ·??????Recommend solutions to Georgia City Solutions, a non-profit established by GMA to support innovative programs aimed at building successful Georgia cities. Through the Council's efforts, significant progress has been made, including: ·??????Adding two new workforce classes to the GMA training program. ·??????Developing and launching the Starts with Me! recruitment resources for cities to use. ·??????Implementing the Jobs with Purpose: Municipal Workforce Development Initiative through Georgia City Solutions. "We are proud of Coty’s continued leadership on the Municipal Workforce Development Advisory Council," said City Manager Jeff Moon. "Her expertise will be instrumental in advancing Woodstock’s workforce development efforts and supporting city governments throughout Georgia." The Municipal Workforce Development Advisory Council includes a mix of elected and appointed municipal officials representing each of GMA's twelve districts. The Council will be chaired by Brunswick City Manager Regina McDuffie for the 2024-2025 year.