Acworth has been honored with the PlanFirst designation by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for 2025. This achievement places the city among a select group of communities recognized for their dedication to effective planning and successful implementation of their comprehensive plans. The designation is set to run from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
The PlanFirst program, established in 2015, acknowledges cities and counties that demonstrate exceptional planning practices. To qualify, communities must consistently meet DCA standards and show progress toward the goals outlined in their comprehensive plans. Acworth’s recognition illustrates the city’s vision for the future and its strategy to keep that vision on track.
As part of the PlanFirst program, Acworth will be celebrated at a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol in early 2025. Also, the designation allows the city to benefit from various state incentives, including access to funding opportunities and support from DCA experts. These perks will help Acworth continue to achieve its long-term development objectives.
This isn’t the first time Acworth has been in the spotlight. The city has also earned titles like All-America City – Hall of Fame, Georgia Exceptional Main Street, and GMA Visionary City. With the PlanFirst designation now added to its growing list of accomplishments, Acworth continues to lead the way in forward-thinking urban planning.
The press release from the City of Acworth detailing this achievement is included below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Acworth PlanFirst Community Designation
by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Acworth, GA: On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the City of Acworth was notified that it has been designated a 2025 PlanFirst Community by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and has been chosen to participate in the program for three (3) years: January 1, 2025 until December 31, 2027.
This designation recognizes the hard work and successful implementation of the City of Acworth’s comprehensive plan. It acknowledges its commitment to identifying opportunities and setting the goals needed to move the community forward.
The City of Acworth will attend an official PlanFirst designation ceremony at the State Capitol in early 2025. The PlanFirst designation also enables the City of Acworth to take advantage of various incentives offered through the program.
The City of Acworth will be recognized across the State of Georgia as a community that has created a robust vision of its future and maintains an active strategy for implementing that vision. More information on the PlanFirst program is available at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website, dca.ga.gov.
The City of Acworth is a municipality of Cobb County, Georgia 35 miles northwest of Atlanta with a population of roughly 24,000. The City of Acworth is also designated as an All-America City – Hall of Fame, a Georgia Exceptional Main Street, a GMA Visionary City, and is Georgia’s first Foster Friendly City.
