Ellijay Georgia Community Website

Monday, August 10, 202671°FEllijay, GA

What $22.5 Million Bought: Gilmer's New Performing Arts Center Opens Its First School Year

Gilmer County Schools started the 2026-27 year Monday, Aug. 3, and for the first time the district's band, chorus, drama and career-tech students have a 950-seat auditorium of their own. Local shoppers paid for it, penny by penny.

Aug 9, 2026Education

Government & Politics

Gilmer Moves Trash Costs to Your Tax Bill, Ends Exact Change at the Convenience Centers

Aug 8, 2026

Events

Apple Picking Starts Aug. 15 on Tails Creek as Gilmer's 2026 Season Opens

Aug 6, 2026

Government & Politics

Gilmer Commissioners Set Aug. 13 Hearings on River Outfitting Rules and County Tax Rate

Aug 4, 2026

Business & Development

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Business & Development

Pilgrim's to Invest $75 Million in Its Ellijay Chicken Plant, Boosting One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

The poultry giant says the upgrade will expand capacity at its Ellijay facility and shift production toward boneless products like the chicken used in sandwiches and tenders — a long-term bet on the local workforce.

Latest News

Community

Deer Are Taking Over Coosawattee, and Residents Say It's Become a Safety Problem

A booming deer population inside the Coosawattee River Resort is damaging property and raising collision fears for the thousands of Ellijay-area residents who live there.

Jul 213 min read

Crime & Safety

The Cameras Watching Ellijay: License-Plate Readers Are Already Rolling in Gilmer County as Cities Nationwide Pull the Plug

Three Gilmer County law-enforcement agencies have been running Flock automated license-plate cameras since late 2025 — just as dozens of U.S. cities cancel the same technology over privacy fears. Here's what's being collected on every driver in Ellijay, and who can see it.

Jul 144 min read

Crime & Safety

When Bears Come to the Square: How Ellijay's Trash Is Feeding a Downtown Problem

Black bears are increasingly drawn into downtown Ellijay by grease and garbage in unsecured cans — and wildlife experts say how you store trash is what decides whether they keep coming back.

Jul 124 min read

Government & Politics

City Council Approves Another $134,000 for Ellijay Street Repaving

Ellijay City Council voted Monday to add $134,000 to its road-resurfacing program, extending repairs to worn pavement across the city limits as downtown traffic grows.

Jul 113 min read

Education

Gilmer Schools Set Aug. 3 First Day — The Full 2026-2027 Calendar and Family To-Do List

Gilmer County's roughly 4,000 students head back to class Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Here are the key dates, supply lists, and registration steps families need before the bell rings.

Jul 93 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer's Property-Tax-for-Sales-Tax Swap Passes the House — Now It's Up to You in November

House Bill 21 would erase county property tax on Gilmer homeowners' primary residences and replace the money with a new penny sales tax. Passed by the state House 95-67, it now heads to a November referendum where local voters decide.

Jul 74 min read

Government & Politics

Gilmer's Bold Tax Swap: Wipe Out County Property Tax on Your Home, Add a Penny at the Register

A local bill advancing at the Capitol would erase the county property tax on owner-occupied Ellijay-area homes and replace that money with a new 1% local sales tax — but only if Gilmer voters approve it at the ballot box.

Jul 54 min read

Public Safety

A Faster First Responder: Gilmer County Fire & Rescue Tests 24/7 Paramedic Program

A new 90-day "Med Com" trial sends a paramedic in a quick-response vehicle to 911 calls around the clock — carrying blood and emergency supplies, and aiming to reach Ellijay-area families faster.

Jul 44 min read

Events

Ellijay's Fourth of July Rolls Downtown: Vendors at 2, Parade at 7:30, Fireworks After Dark

The City of Ellijay's Independence Day celebration returns downtown with an afternoon of vendors, an evening parade down River Street, and a fireworks finale behind the old Primary School — here's the full schedule and where to stand.

Jul 33 min read

Government & Politics

Ellijay Pauses New Short-Term Rentals for 90 Days as County Warns of a "Wild West" of Unlicensed Cabins

The Ellijay City Council voted unanimously to halt new short-term rental approvals for three months while it overhauls its ordinance — as county officials estimate hundreds to thousands of vacation rentals may be operating without a license.

Jun 284 min read

Business & Development

Downtown Ellijay Is Booming: New Restaurants, Rooftops, and a Main Street on the Rise

A wave of new restaurants, bars, and shops is transforming Ellijay's historic square — fueled by a fast-growing population and a town determined to keep its Main Street character.

Jun 223 min read

Business & Development

Pilgrim's to Pour $75 Million Into Its Ellijay Plant, One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

The poultry giant says it will expand and modernize its Ellijay facility to make more boneless chicken products, shifting some harvesting work here from Chattanooga. A construction timeline and local hiring numbers have not been announced.

Jun 214 min read

Government & Politics

Ellijay Council Takes a First Step Toward Data-Center Rules — But No Project Is on the Table

The Ellijay City Council held a first reading of a proposed ordinance regulating data centers on June 15. It was an early procedural step — not final approval, and not a sign that a data center is coming to town.

Jun 214 min read

Community Spotlight

From Cherokee Homeland to Apple Capital: A Short History of Ellijay, Georgia

Long before it became the Apple Capital of Georgia, Ellijay was a Cherokee town at the meeting of two rivers. Here is how a Blue Ridge mountain crossroads became the community we know today.

Jun 195 min read

Ellijay Georgia Community Website — Local News & Community Updates

What $22.5 Million Bought: Gilmer's New Performing Arts Center Opens Its First School Year

Gilmer Moves Trash Costs to Your Tax Bill, Ends Exact Change at the Convenience Centers

Apple Picking Starts Aug. 15 on Tails Creek as Gilmer's 2026 Season Opens

Gilmer Commissioners Set Aug. 13 Hearings on River Outfitting Rules and County Tax Rate

More Top Stories

Ellijay Tightens Data Center Rules as County Puts $1.93 Million Into Clear Creek Road

Highway 52 West Washed Out, Boil-Water Advisory in Effect for New Hope Zone After Overnight Flood

Business & Development

Pilgrim's to Invest $75 Million in Its Ellijay Chicken Plant, Boosting One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

Latest News

Deer Are Taking Over Coosawattee, and Residents Say It's Become a Safety Problem

The Cameras Watching Ellijay: License-Plate Readers Are Already Rolling in Gilmer County as Cities Nationwide Pull the Plug

When Bears Come to the Square: How Ellijay's Trash Is Feeding a Downtown Problem

City Council Approves Another $134,000 for Ellijay Street Repaving

Gilmer Schools Set Aug. 3 First Day — The Full 2026-2027 Calendar and Family To-Do List

Gilmer's Property-Tax-for-Sales-Tax Swap Passes the House — Now It's Up to You in November

Gilmer's Bold Tax Swap: Wipe Out County Property Tax on Your Home, Add a Penny at the Register

A Faster First Responder: Gilmer County Fire & Rescue Tests 24/7 Paramedic Program

Ellijay's Fourth of July Rolls Downtown: Vendors at 2, Parade at 7:30, Fireworks After Dark

Ellijay Pauses New Short-Term Rentals for 90 Days as County Warns of a "Wild West" of Unlicensed Cabins

Downtown Ellijay Is Booming: New Restaurants, Rooftops, and a Main Street on the Rise

Pilgrim's to Pour $75 Million Into Its Ellijay Plant, One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

Ellijay Council Takes a First Step Toward Data-Center Rules — But No Project Is on the Table

From Cherokee Homeland to Apple Capital: A Short History of Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay Georgia Community Website — Local News & Community Updates

What $22.5 Million Bought: Gilmer's New Performing Arts Center Opens Its First School Year

Gilmer Moves Trash Costs to Your Tax Bill, Ends Exact Change at the Convenience Centers

Apple Picking Starts Aug. 15 on Tails Creek as Gilmer's 2026 Season Opens

Gilmer Commissioners Set Aug. 13 Hearings on River Outfitting Rules and County Tax Rate

More Top Stories

Ellijay Tightens Data Center Rules as County Puts $1.93 Million Into Clear Creek Road

Highway 52 West Washed Out, Boil-Water Advisory in Effect for New Hope Zone After Overnight Flood

Business & Development

Pilgrim's to Invest $75 Million in Its Ellijay Chicken Plant, Boosting One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

Latest News

Deer Are Taking Over Coosawattee, and Residents Say It's Become a Safety Problem

The Cameras Watching Ellijay: License-Plate Readers Are Already Rolling in Gilmer County as Cities Nationwide Pull the Plug

When Bears Come to the Square: How Ellijay's Trash Is Feeding a Downtown Problem

City Council Approves Another $134,000 for Ellijay Street Repaving

Gilmer Schools Set Aug. 3 First Day — The Full 2026-2027 Calendar and Family To-Do List

Gilmer's Property-Tax-for-Sales-Tax Swap Passes the House — Now It's Up to You in November

Gilmer's Bold Tax Swap: Wipe Out County Property Tax on Your Home, Add a Penny at the Register

A Faster First Responder: Gilmer County Fire & Rescue Tests 24/7 Paramedic Program

Ellijay's Fourth of July Rolls Downtown: Vendors at 2, Parade at 7:30, Fireworks After Dark

Ellijay Pauses New Short-Term Rentals for 90 Days as County Warns of a "Wild West" of Unlicensed Cabins

Downtown Ellijay Is Booming: New Restaurants, Rooftops, and a Main Street on the Rise

Pilgrim's to Pour $75 Million Into Its Ellijay Plant, One of Gilmer County's Biggest Employers

Ellijay Council Takes a First Step Toward Data-Center Rules — But No Project Is on the Table

From Cherokee Homeland to Apple Capital: A Short History of Ellijay, Georgia

Gilmer School Board's Tentative Millage Means a 3.79% Property Tax Increase, and Hearings Come First

Boil-Water Advisory Lifted in the Progress Road Area After Weekend Main Break

Gilmer County Fair Runs Aug. 6-16 at the Lions Club Fairgrounds, and Exhibit Entries Are Due Sunday

Gilmer School Board's Tentative Millage Means a 3.79% Property Tax Increase, and Hearings Come First

Ellijay, GA

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