The Council for Quality Growth, in partnership with Cherokee County Government and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2024 State of Cherokee County Address on January 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM at the Cherokee Conference Center in Canton. The lunch program, presented by Northside Hospital Cherokee and VHB, will feature an annual address from the Chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Harry B. Johnston. In addition, the program will feature updates from Dr. Brian Hightower, Superintendent of the Cherokee County School District, and Misti Martin, President & CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development. Over 350 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of Cherokee County are expected to attend to hear the Chairman’s address, along with updates from Cherokee’s school district and economic development agency. 

The Council’s State of Cherokee County annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies and other local leaders from across the region. Chairman Johnston will address his community to present achievements and projects from the last year, as well as provide an outlook for what’s ahead in 2024. Dr. Brian Hightower will deliver an update on his last year as Cherokee County Superintendent before retiring in May 2024, in addition to a vision for the future of Cherokee County Schools. Misti Martin will share the county’s economic successes and initiatives to further its economic development.

The Council for Quality Growth works with Cherokee County and its local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. “Year after year, Cherokee County reports economic growth and an increasingly high quality of life,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO, Council for Quality Growth. “We’re looking forward to hearing about the progress made over this last year and to continue partnering with the county on development initiatives that ensure Cherokee thrives.”

The State of Cherokee will also feature remarks from the Council’s 2024 Board Chair and Founder & CEO of Terminus Transformation Group, Sally Riker. Billy Hayes, CEO of Northside Hospital Cherokee, and Fabricio Ponce, Managing Director of VHB will speak on behalf of the program’s presenting sponsors. Katherine Zitsch, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Atlanta Regional Commission, will provide an update as a representative of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.

Press are invited to attend with prior registration. Please RSVP to Alyssa Eubanks at[email protected].

 2024 State of Cherokee County

• Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024

• Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

• Location: Cherokee Conference Center at the Bluffs, Canton, GA

• Featured Speakers:

  • Dr. Brian Hightower, Superintendent, Cherokee County School District

  • Chairman Harry B. Johnston, Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

  • Misti Martin, President & CEO, Cherokee Office of Economic Development

  • Billy Hayes, CEO, Northside Hospital Cherokee

  • Sally Riker, 2024 Board Chair, Council for Quality Growth

  • Fabricio Ponce, Managing Director, VHB

  • Katherine Zitsch, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission

  • Michael E. Paris, President & CEO, Council for Quality Growth

• Tickets and sponsorships available online

  • Council/Cherokee County Chamber Members: $60

  • Non-Members: $75