Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

83 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 CUMMING , GA in a tax-paying jurisdiction. “We provide all of that tax-free,” he explains, citing police, water, sewer, sanitation, street maintenance, planning and zoning, and recreation services. The city is also on the lookout for new industries to usher into its boundaries. While existing properties are available for interested parties, Cumming is eager to accommodate a diverse array of industries, ranging from shipping and distribution to technology sectors. “There’s plenty of opportunity in Cumming, Georgia, to do that within the city limits,” Higgins emphasizes. Igniting Growth: A Focus on Entrepreneurial and Residential Developments Mom-and-pop businesses have emerged as a vital part of Cumming’s economic tapestry. Mayor Brumbalow spotlights the recent unveiling of the city center, a massive retail hub spanning 125,000ft². The center, complete with an amphitheater, park, and miniature golf, has been deliberately curated to foster local entrepreneurial endeavors over regional or national franchises. “We wanted mom-and-pop restaurants and we’re completely leased out,” Mayor Brumbalow declares, highlighting the success of these local establishments, some of which are startups while others relocated from different locales. The businesses’ positive response to the city center reveals the town’s receptiveness to entrepreneurial ventures, with Mayor Brumbalow observing that for some, their “worst day at our city center is better than the best day they had where they came from.” The charm of Cumming extends beyond its business-friendly disposition to its renowned Southern hospitality, a characteristic that garners appreciation from across the country. But the city’s growth strategy isn’t confined to the commercial sector alone. Turning the spotlight to residential developments, Mayor Brumbalow outlines a recent surge in housing construction. “Several thousand rooftops have recently been completed or are in the process of being built in the city right