CANTON, GA (November 7, 2025) – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that nominees are currently being sought for the prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award. The distinct title of First Citizen of Cherokee County is bestowed upon a man or woman who has resided in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to his or her community through family, civic and/or religious involvement. A panel of out-of-town judges carefully reviews the accomplishments of each applicant, and the winner is chosen based upon merit. Sponsored by the Chamber, the 51st Annual First Citizen will be announced during the organization’s Annual Meeting scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center located in the Cherokee County Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
The 2026 honoree will join a prestigious list of Cherokee Countians that includes former Canton physician Dr. Grady Coker, who was the initial recipient in 1971, along with Founder of the Goshen Valley Foundation, John W. Blend, III, who was chosen as the 2025 First Citizen. The First Citizen program, which went defunct in 1986, was revamped in 1992 when retired Georgia Power Area Manager Bill Wester was chosen as the 17th recipient.
First Citizen Applications will be available beginning Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton, or via the web at CherokeeChamber.com. All applications must be submitted by Noon, Friday, December 12, 2025. For further details, please contact the Chamber at 770-345-0400.
The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business to expand the economy and enrich the community. For information on the Chamber and its programs, visit www.CherokeeChamber.com.
