Georgia Mountains
Regional Development
Center
Serving the Communities of Georgia Mountains since 1962
• Banks • Dawson • Forsyth • Franklin • Habersham • Hall • Hart • Lumpkin • Rabun • Stephens • Towns • Union • White •
About
Departments
History
The Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center (GMRDC)
is a sub-state district created by local governments in 1962 under
provisions of Georgia Enabling Law. The purpose of the GMRDC is to
locally promote and guide proper development of human, natural,
physical, social and economic resources in the Georgia Mountains Region.
The area covers 3,500 square miles, and includes Banks, Dawson, Forsyth,
Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union,
and White Counties.
The GMRDC offers a wide variety of services to its 51 local governments,
which include 13 counties and 38 municipalities. The GMRDC works with
these entities to formulate goals and strategies for area growth and
development. Upon request, the GMRDC provides a variety of technical
assistance that will improve community services and the quality of life
for Georgia Mountains residents.
The GMRDC is guided by a Board of Directors, which consists of 48
members. Membership includes a representative from each of the 13
counties, a representative from the largest populated city in each
county, a private sector representative from each county, five minority
representatives, three additional representatives from counties with an
excess of 50,000 total population (Hall and Forsyth Counties), plus a
non-voting member appointed by the Department of Community Affairs. By
law, Board Members are appointed by the Center's member cities and
counties. The Board is responsible for all policy decisions.
The GMRDC interacts with many agencies at regional, state, and federal
levels. These agencies work with the GMRDC to coordinate and complement
the delivery of services to governments and citizens of the Georgia
Mountains area.
The GMRDC is funded by a variety of sources, including federal, state,
and local funds. The annual RDC budget is reviewed and approved by the
Board of Directors.
The GMRDC focuses its broad scope of responsibility through the
following departments: Planning, Economic Development, Information
Services, Finance and Administration.
