Roamin' Rome Casual Group Bike Rid
Roamin’ Rome kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Town Green. Grab your bike and join us!
Roamin’ Rome kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Town Green. Grab your bike and join us!
Thanks to the Georgia ReLeaf Grant, residents can take home free trees while supplies last and help grow Rome’s urban canopy. 🌱
📍 GE Trails📅 March 28🌳 Free trees while supplies last
Plant a tree. Grow Rome. 💚
This program goes beyond basic driver education by giving teens practical experience in a controlled environment — helping them learn how to react to hazards, improve vehicle control, and make safer decisions on the road.
📅 Next Class: June 20–21, 2026📍 Hosted by Rome Police Department and Richard B. Russell Regional Airport
Course Includes:• Classroom instruction• Hands-on driving exercises• Real-world safety techniques
Requirements:• Teens ages 15–19• Must have a Learner’s Permit and 30 hours of seat time• Parent or legal guardian must attend
Training Locations:📍 Classroom: Rome City Municipal Court375 Technology Parkway🕗 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Hands-On Driving: Richard B. Russell Regional Airport304 Russell Field Rd NE
Hands-On Schedule:Saturday: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PMSunday: 7:45 AM – 12:15 PMSunday: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
⚠️ Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited to 45 students.
This training helps prepare teen drivers for the unexpected and supports our mission of keeping Rome’s roadways safe for everyone.
Registration information is available here.
Friday, Rome firefighters were hard at work handling routine upkeep at the plaza — the very space they helped bring to life through their own fundraising efforts.
From left to right: Mac Earle, Jamie Kelley, Nick Tucker, and Colby Trotter taking care of the details that keep this space looking its best.
The Rome Fire Department not only raised the funds to build the plaza, they continue to personally maintain it — preserving a place that honors service, sacrifice, and community.
It’s just another example of the pride they take in serving Rome — on and off duty.
❤️🔥 #CityOfRomeGA #RomeGA #CommunityPride
The Georgia Municipal Association will formally announce Rome’s renewal during the GMA Annual Convention in Savannah, June 26–30, 2026. The designation recognizes cities that intentionally foster environments where residents, elected officials, and city staff work together in a spirit of professionalism and mutual respect.
Rome first earned the City of Civility designation as part of its broader initiative to encourage constructive communication, community involvement, and thoughtful leadership. The recertification confirms that the City continues to uphold those standards and values.
“This recognition reflects the culture we strive to maintain every day — one rooted in respect, collaboration, and service to our community,” city leadership shared.
The City of Civility designation is valid for two years, with Rome’s next renewal scheduled for 2028.
The City of Rome remains committed to creating a community where civility is not simply encouraged, but practiced.
From the early morning start at Public Works to the final stop at City Hall, the tour provided an in-depth look at the people, facilities, and operations that serve our community every single day.
Throughout the day, commissioners visited:
• Public Works (Street, Engineering, Traffic, Solid Waste & Garage)• Water & Sewer Operations and the Filter Plant• Tourism and Transit• Cemetery operations• Police Department• Fire Administration• Wastewater Treatment• Landfill• Planning, Building Inspection, Code Enforcement, Human Resources & Community Development (Carnegie Building)• Downtown Development• City Hall departments including the City Clerk, Finance, OTS, Purchasing & Water Billing
This behind-the-scenes tour offered a comprehensive view of the essential services that keep Rome running — from infrastructure and public safety to economic development and community planning.
We appreciate Commissioners Fisher and Hixson taking the time to meet with staff, ask thoughtful questions, and see firsthand the dedication of our employees. Strong leadership begins with understanding, and Friday was a meaningful step in building that foundation.
We look forward to working together as we continue serving the citizens of Rome.
Join us for the Mount Berry Trail Park Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, March 12 at 3 p.m., located at 130 Coligni Way.
On Wednesday, February 18, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the Pump Track at Ridge Ferry Park!
The new pump track will be located next to the sand volleyball court, near the main parking lot. Construction is officially underway, and you can already see the track beginning to take shape. Pending good weather, the project is expected to be completed in about a month.
A pump track is a looping trail designed for bikes and scooters, featuring banked turns for smooth, continuous riding. The best part? No pedaling required! Riders use an up-and-down “pumping” motion to maintain speed and momentum. View video
Pump tracks are fun for all ages and skill levels, making them a great addition to our community recreation options.
Our City Engineering Office, in partnership with EXP consultants and with support from GDOT, is reviewing all bids to finalize the contract.
Stay tuned for updates as we move forward with this important infrastructure improvement!
Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful (KRFB) has received the 2025 Governor’s Circle Award for outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The award, presented by the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF), recognizes exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.
To qualify, affiliates must be certified and in good standing with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and actively participate in the KGBF network. Certified affiliates are expected to create meaningful, lasting change through litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and beautification initiatives.
“Across Georgia, we’re focused on creating clean, green, and beautiful communities for everyone to enjoy,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, Executive Director of KGBF. “This year’s award recipients exemplify what’s possible when passion meets action, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding contributions.”
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and community members who show up every day to take pride in where they live,” said Hannah Bagley, Program Coordinator for KRFB. “Our work in 2025 was driven by collaboration and a shared commitment to leaving Rome and Floyd County cleaner, greener, and more beautiful for future generations.
These efforts transformed neglected spaces into cleaner, safer, and more welcoming areas for residents and visitors.
KRFB reached 2,745 students across 24 schools with hands-on programs aligned with Georgia Standards of Excellence. Initiatives included:
KRFB also launched a Community Cleanup Supply Library, modernized its brand, and implemented a GIS-based Litter Index Tool for data-driven decision-making.
Founded in 1976, KRFB is a certified affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and a member of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation network. Its mission: To create a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful community through education, litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification initiatives. KRFB operates out of the Rome-Floyd ECO Center, engaging hundreds of volunteers and thousands of students annually to inspire positive behavior change and long-term community impact.
The Rome-Floyd Planning Commission has unanimously approved a rezoning request for parcels located directly behind Joe Wright Village in North Rome. The property, situated north of Nelm Street between Waddell and Stonewall streets, is currently zoned for High-Density Traditional Residential use.
John and Rochelle Hiram are seeking to rezone the land to Multi-Family Residential for a proposed townhouse development. Their original plan included 14 townhomes, but planning staff recommended reducing the number to 10 based on the size of the property. Architect Bill Jones, representing the Hirams, confirmed they are agreeable to the adjustment.
Planning Commission Chairman Charles Love expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “I’m even more excited about what’s going on in North Rome.”
The Rome City Commission will make the final decision on the rezoning at its February 23 meeting.
Pictured: Architect Bill Jones and a rendering of the proposed lots behind Joe Wright Village.
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City Commissioners received an update on these projects during their planning retreat at the Forum River Center Wednesday morning:
Rome’s new Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant remains on schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029.
Rome Water and Sewer Chief John Boyd assured commissioners, “This RO plant is something you’ll all be very proud of.”Tim Rylee with InSite Engineering added that once the plant is operational, Rome will be positioned to sell more water, noting, “Industries want really good water.”
Currently, the city is permitted to withdraw up to 18 million gallons per day (MGD) and will have the capacity to increase to 24 MGD. At present, Rome averages about 6.7 MGD. The new facility will be located on Riverside Parkway, between the City Community Center and the Department of Children’s Services.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd Wofford expressed interest in adding new parks across the community, particularly on the east side from Shannon to Chulio. However, he noted that the county does not have additional funds for new operations. The idea of utilizing existing school facilities was discussed multiple times.
City Manager Sammy Rich emphasized flexibility, saying, “To me, everything under the sun is an option.”Mayor Jim Bojo hopes the February 17 meeting and tour will help shape a clearer vision for the future of parks and recreation in Rome.
Commissioners also learned they will join Floyd County officials for a joint meeting and tour of 13 parks on February 17, beginning at the Charles C. Parker Senior Center in Etowah Park.
At today's Joint Services Committee Meeting, recreation and parks were the key issue for the committee, including County Chair Rhonda Wallace and Commissioner Scotty Hancock along with Mayor Jim Bojo and Commissioner Wayne Robinson. The city and county managers also participated in the talks along with key staff representatives.
Leaders from Rome and Floyd County discussed ways to strengthen our parks and recreation system for the long term. Director Todd Wofford highlighted the need for a sustainable funding model to keep our parks thriving for generations to come. Todd Wofford emphasized to city and county leaders that his department cannot take on additional parks under its current funding level. Wofford urged the Joint Services Committee to consider a sustainable, long-term funding model for recreation and parks—one that looks beyond the next year or five years.
The group learned that several parks and amenities fall outside the existing recreation agreement, including the new playground at the Mount Berry Trailhead, the proposed GE park in West Rome, Covington Park in South Rome, and the North Broad mini-park. City Manager Sammy Rich noted that Covington Park maintenance is currently handled by City Public Works crews, while the city has an agreement with John and Terri Mayes for upkeep of the North Broad Park.
Wofford also shared that pavilion rentals at the ECO Center have been turned over to ECO Center staff, but his crews still handle restroom cleaning after large events—sometimes multiple times a day.
“Raising taxes to fund these parks is not an option,” stated County Manager Jamie McCord.
Mayor Jim Bojo closed the meeting by saying the parks and recreation agreement “is not broken; it just needs some tweaking.”
The city commissioners will discuss parks and recreation at length during their planning retreat tomorrow. Members of both city and county commissions will meet again during a joint tour of park facilities on February 17.
The Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism has released its 2025 Annual Report, revealing strong economic results for Floyd County. The report shares that visitor spending reached $149.9 million, continuing an upward trend for the local tourism industry.
According to direct visitor spending data, visitors spent $149,900,000 in Floyd County during 2024—the most recent year with available data. Travel and tourism generated a 0.7% year-over-year increase in total impact. In addition, the local tourism industry supported 1,535 jobs across the service and hospitality sectors.
Tourism contributed significantly to public revenue, generating $12.2 million in state and local taxes. Without this revenue, each Floyd County household would need to pay an additional $332 annually to replace the taxes generated by tourism activity.
Beyond overall tourism impact, the report highlights 2025 economic contributions from sports, group travel, and events directly assisted by the Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism. These efforts produced $25,960,564 in economic impact.
Major events driving this impact included the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, USTA Southern Tri-Level Tennis Championships, Georgia Elite Classic, and multiple tennis tournaments.
“With every visitor who comes to Rome, we see a ripple effect that strengthens our community and fuels economic growth,” said Lisa Smith, Executive Director for Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism. “Tourism brings opportunities—supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”
Looking ahead, the Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism is excited to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 and continue attracting sports, groups, meetings, and events that generate economic benefits for the community.
2024 Economic Impact of Tourism analysis is provided by the Georgia Department of Economic Development through the Travel Impact study, prepared by Tourism Economics, It is based on multiple data sources, including the U.S. Census, STR, Longwoods International, Georgia Department of Revenue sales tax data, and employment and wage data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data for 2025 will be available in Fall 2026.2025 tourism economic impact figures are provided by the Georgia's Rome Office of Tourism and represent only events, sports, meetings, and activities where the Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism provided direct planning, coordination, or assistance.
View the full 2025 Annual Report
For more information, visit RomeGeorgia.org or call 706.295.5576.
We understand some community members have questions about the new irrigation system at Stonebridge Golf Course. Here’s the full story:
- The current system is 33 years old — well past its typical lifespan of 20–25 years- Replacing it now prevents costly repairs and ensures the course stays playable and safe- Stonebridge has been profitable for 6 straight years, including $85,000 in profit last year during a record-breaking season with 40,000+ rounds of golf
Why not just raise fees? Increasing fees could lead to fewer golfers, which would hurt revenue and the course’s ability to sustain itself. Keeping Stonebridge affordable helps maintain its success and benefits the entire community.
🎥 Watch the video below to learn more about why this investment is the smart choice for Rome!
The City of Rome is proud to be named as a 2026 Visionary City Award honoree, presented by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in collaboration with Georgia Trend. The award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a commitment to improving quality of life. Selected in the Large Cities Category, Rome was honored for the revitalization of Banty Jones Park, a once-overlooked neighborhood space transformed through resident engagement and cross-sector collaboration. Guided by input from more than 175 residents, the city reimagined the park as a safe, accessible, and family-friendly gathering place. Larry Hanson, CEO and executive director of GMA, said, “Rome’s revitalization of Banty Jones Park shows how listening to residents and investing in public spaces can strengthen neighborhoods and build trust. This project reflects the power of community-driven design.” “The revitalization of Banty Jones Park represents what Rome is all about— working together to create spaces that strengthen community connections,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich. “Being recognized as a Visionary City affirms our commitment to inclusive planning and investing in projects that improve quality of life for everyone.” This project was made possible through collaboration and shaped by the voices of the Banty Jones neighborhood,” said Bekki Fox, Rome’s Community Development Director. “By working with residents and partners, we were able to transform an underutilized space into a vibrant park that will serve as a community gathering place families for years to come. The beautiful park offers open areas for play and gatherings, a new splash pad surrounded by a small amphitheater, modern playgrounds, pavilions, scenic boardwalk, and restrooms. Banty Jones Park is located at 212 E 13th Street and is open daily for leisure use.
Annual Holiday ScheduleThe following days are designated as official holidays for City Administration:
New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday in January)
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Veteran’s Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Eve (Dec 24)
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
City Services - Holiday Schedules
The City of Rome offers a text messaging platform designed to help residents stay informed and engaged with the latest updates from the city. With this service, residents can choose to receive alerts on a variety of topics, from city news to public safety notifications.
The following text alert options are available for residents:
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For more information, visit the City of Rome Government alerts page
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THE GEORGIA TREE COUNCIL PRESENTS ANNUAL GEORGIA URBAN FORESTRY AWARDSCity of Rome Receives Excellence in Urban Forestry Award - 2nd year in a row!
The Georgia Tree Council, a nonprofit organization with the mission of sustaining Georgia’s green legacy by partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities in raising awareness toward improving and maintaining Georgia's community forests, presented its 2025 Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards Program on November 5, 2025 at the Old Macon Mall during the Georgia Tree Conference, in partnership with the Georgia Arborist Association. This annual awards program honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in protecting and enhancing our community forests. Each award recipient received a handmade wooden bowl made from a native Georgia tree by the late artist Tom Canada.
We’re proud to announce that the City of Rome has been honored with the Outstanding Community Award by the Georgia Tree Council at the 2025 Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards!
This award recognizes Rome’s ongoing commitment to protecting, maintaining, and celebrating our community forests. From tree planting and preservation efforts to education and long-term planning, this achievement reflects the hard work of our city staff, partners, and residents who care deeply about keeping Rome green and thriving.
The Georgia Tree Council was founded in 1988 by a group of individuals who recognized the need for an organization to address urban forestry issues in Georgia. Today, GTC brings educational programs, leadership, and resources in maintaining healthy trees to towns and cities across the state. For more information on the Georgia Tree Council and its 2025 Awards Program, please call 470-905-8650 or visit www.gatreecouncil.org.
The city auditorium hosts live performances and concerts year-around. Check out the full calendar of events!
View Live Stream of Rome City Commission 2024 Meetings
Watch brief videos and one-on-one sit down interviews with city staff and officials about local government and area projects impacting a broad spectrum of people in our community.
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