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Welcome to Real Forsyth! Here, you’ll be able to keep up with the latest developments and growth happening in Forsyth County, Georgia. If this landed in your spam, please move it to your inbox so you don’t miss any future issues. Also, make sure to share it with your friends in FoCo. Now here’s what happened recently:

Forsyth County could have another $9 million available for local road projects through a combination of state and county funding. At the Oct. 6 Board of Commissioners work session, county staff presented two Georgia transportation awards: $3.58 million through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) program and another $3.89 million through the Local Road Assistance program, according to the county’s official meeting agenda. Together, the state awards a total of about $7.47 million. LMIG distributes state transportation money to local governments using a formula based partly on population and local road mileage, with counties contributing matching funds toward eligible projects. For Forsyth, accepting the funding package requires approximately $1.53 million in county matching funds, bringing the total potential investment to just over $9 million. The agenda does not specify which roads will receive the funding, so the individual projects are something to watch as the county develops its upcoming maintenance and improvement lists.

Source: Forsyth County Official Agenda

A water infrastructure upgrade along Kemp Drive and Lower Kemp Drive has reached its scheduled construction window. According to Cumming Utilities, the project was estimated to begin Oct. 5 and will replace the area’s existing small-diameter water line with a new 8-inch pipe capable of providing adequate fire flow. New fire hydrants will also be installed as part of the work. The city has selected Strickland and Sons Pipeline as the contractor and describes the project as a much-needed upgrade for residents in the area. Cumming Utilities has also published a project map showing the general alignment of the new line through the Kemp and Lower Kemp Drive area. As of the latest project update, the city had not posted a separate notice confirming that construction had physically started, so residents should expect activity to begin around this period. The project should improve both water capacity and fire protection while bringing some temporary construction impacts to the neighborhood.

Source: Cumming Utilities

The Gathering at South Forsyth remains one of the county’s biggest development watch items, but the next major step still depends on the NHL. In an Oct. 8 statement reported by WGTJ, Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John reiterated that the Union Hill Road site is already properly zoned, controlled by the development team and positioned for a potential NHL arena and mixed-use district. He also pointed to up to $225 million in Tax Allocation District funding committed to the project.

That funding is not an unconditional county contribution. Under the county’s approved agreements, the $225 million would be financed through bonds repaid using revenue generated within the project’s Tax Allocation District, and the county investment in the arena would only move forward if the NHL awards a franchise to the site.

The broader development is planned to include commercial, retail, hospitality, residential and entertainment uses across roughly 100 acres. For now, John’s statement is an endorsement rather than a new approval. The next meaningful milestone remains a formal NHL or franchise commitment that would allow the arena financing process to advance.

Source: WGJT

Forsyth County’s first Whole Foods Market is now expected to open in February 2027 at 3135 Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Forsyth Town Center. Crawford Lands reports that Fuqua Development directly confirmed the new target, while county permit records show the grocery store’s shell passed final inspection in August. Interior buildout work is still underway, including refrigeration installation and stocking, and an exact opening day has not yet been announced. The store will serve as the anchor tenant for Forsyth Town Center and is expected to bring a major increase in customer traffic to the developing center as additional restaurants and retailers continue to open around it.

Source: Crawford Lands Citing Fuqua Development

Century Communities will hold the grand opening of Hayden Brook, its newest Forsyth County community, on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4105 Matt Highway. The new neighborhood will feature single-family homes starting in the upper $600,000s, with three two-story floor plans ranging up to 3,829 square feet and as many as six bedrooms. Planned amenities include a pool, pavilion, playground and community mail kiosk. Visitors can tour the community during the event, with refreshments and a giveaway also planned. Century says the first five buyers can receive an appliance package valued at $5,000.

Source: Century Communities

Thank you for reading this week’s issue of Real Forsyth. It’s exciting to see all the new development and growth happening in this county of ours. Have suggestions for the newsletter? Reply to this email; I read all responses. Know someone who’d enjoy this newsletter? Forward them this email! And if you’re a local business interested in sponsoring the next issue, visit this page for information. See you next Sunday :)

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