August is winding down, but the news across NW Metro Atlanta keeps coming. We track developments, restaurant openings, city council decisions, and community milestones across all seven cities we serve. Here is what has happened in the final weeks of August 2026.
If you are considering a move to this area, these stories matter. A city's restaurant openings tell you about its economic energy. Its park investments reveal its priorities. Its school board and city council decisions shape property values and quality of life for years to come.
Here is what has been happening around the region.
Marietta: Mayor Honored, New Dining Options, and a Big Data Center Decision
Mayor Steve Tumlin Named APWA Elected Official of the Year
On August 12, Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin received the 2026 APWA Elected Official of the Year Award for Georgia. The award recognizes his leadership on infrastructure projects across the city, including the Rottenwood Creek Trail and the Powder Springs Streetscape. It is a fitting honor for a mayor who has been a fixture of Marietta's growth for decades.
New Restaurants Keep Opening
El Jalisco opened August 17 at Marietta Square Market, adding a new Mexican dining option to the popular food hall. Baladi Coffee & Matcha opened August 1 in the former Clean Juice space on Sandy Plains Road, serving Palestinian and Egyptian-inspired specialty drinks. Glover Park Kitchen is expected to open near the Square soon. Solar Slice, a thin-crust pizza and arcade concept, is on the way at Sandy Plains Marketplace.
Data Center Approved Near I-75
In a closely watched 5-2 vote on August 14, the Marietta City Council approved a data center project near I-75 and Delk Road after a heated public hearing that drew dozens of residents on both sides of the issue. Supporters cited tax revenue and economic development. Opponents raised concerns about noise and the impact on nearby neighborhoods.
136-Home Development Approved
A 136-home development was approved at 787 Horizon Lane and 720 Wilshire Avenue, adding to the city's housing stock. Meanwhile, property tax bills began mailing August 26.
Explore More Marietta
Acworth: Brunch Launches, Trail Bids Close, and Community Garden Grows
Tap Town Launches Sunday Brunch
Tap Town, the lakehouse-style taproom and gathering space at 4443 Cherokee Street, launched a new Sunday brunch menu starting August 16. Brunch is served every Sunday from 10AM to 3PM, adding another great weekend option to Acworth's growing dining scene.
Due West-Ragsdale Trail Project Advances
The Due West-Ragsdale Road Multi-Use Trail project took a step forward as sealed bids were accepted through August 12. This multi-use path will eventually connect subdivisions to walkable amenities, part of Acworth's vision for a more connected, pedestrian-friendly city.
Newberry Park Sinkhole Repair Underway
The city announced the Newberry Park Sinkhole Repair project on August 14. Tree removal began in August, with full repair planned for November. The project addresses a sinkhole that has impacted the park and trails in the area.
Community & Business News
The Acworth Community Garden held volunteer workdays on August 24 and 26, supporting fresh produce delivery to local seniors. The UGA SBDC hosted a Small Business Advancement Seminar on Smart SEO and AI at the Acworth Community Center on August 26. The August Fall Craft Market took place August 22 at The Hyde Out Diner. Factory Treats celebrated a ribbon cutting on August 7, welcomed by city officials. And the city received the PlanFirst designation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for 2025, recognizing its comprehensive planning efforts.
Explore More Acworth
Kennesaw: Korean BBQ Arrives, Town Center Changes Hands, and KSU Hits Milestones
E.M. Bop Korean BBQ Opens
E.M. Bop Korean BBQ opened its second location at 1155 Ernest W Barrett Parkway NW in August 2026, bringing sizzling tableside Korean dining to Kennesaw. The restaurant features traditional bulgogi, Korean fried chicken, and an array of banchan side dishes. It joins a wave of new dining options reshaping Kennesaw's food scene.
Okiboru Ramen & Tsukemen Opens
Okiboru Ramen & Tsukemen opened in Town Center Plaza, specializing in Japanese tsukemen dipping ramen. The restaurant has quickly drawn crowds of ramen enthusiasts.
City Barbeque Coming to Kennesaw
City Barbeque announced on August 14 that it is heading to Kennesaw, adding another popular barbecue option to the Cobb County dining scene. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.
Town Center at Cobb Sold in Foreclosure
The Town Center at Cobb mall was sold at a foreclosure auction in July 2026 to Atlanta-based The Ardent Companies for approximately $51.75 million. The sale price represents roughly one-sixth of the mall's value a decade ago, reflecting ongoing challenges facing traditional retail real estate. The new owners have not yet announced plans for the property, but local leaders are watching closely for potential redevelopment.
KSU Opens Summit II and Unveils Innovation Center
Kennesaw State University continues to grow. The Summit II residence hall opened on August 4, adding 462 beds for students. The university also unveiled the 70,000-square-foot Robin and Doug Shore Innovation Center, a $60 million research facility. KSU reported its economic impact exceeded $2.55 billion in fiscal year 2025, underscoring the university's role as an economic engine for the entire region.
Explore More Kennesaw
Woodstock: Soccer Stadium Pitch Tabled, Visitors Center Turns 25
The Pitch Development Tabled
The proposed Pitch development, a mixed-use "mini-Battery" project that would have included a semi-professional soccer stadium and apartments near Costco, was tabled indefinitely by the Woodstock City Council on August 10. Concerns were raised about parking and the Downtown Development Authority's financial role in the project. The decision was a setback for developers, who saw the project as a major catalyst for the city's north side.
Woodstock Visitors Center Celebrates 25 Years
The Woodstock Visitors Center celebrated its 25th anniversary in August. For a quarter-century, the center has welcomed visitors to one of Georgia's fastest-growing cities, offering maps, guides, and insider tips on downtown Woodstock's restaurants, shops, and events.
Ridgewalk Parkway DDI Nears Completion
The Ridgewalk Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-575 is now approximately 94% complete. The $13.7 million project, a partnership with GDOT, will significantly reduce congestion on a corridor serving roughly 30,000 vehicles daily. Completion is expected in the coming months.
Pop 2000 Tour Draws Big Crowd
The Woodstock Summer Concert Series at Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater featured the Pop 2000 Tour with Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, and LFO on August 8. The show drew a large crowd for a night of early-2000s nostalgia, capping off a strong summer concert season.
Explore More Woodstock
Canton: Downtown Transformative Purchase, New Dunkin', and a Pedestrian Bridge
City Purchases Cherokee North Apartments for Downtown Redevelopment
On August 19, the City of Canton finalized the purchase of the Cherokee North Apartments and two adjacent parcels on North Street as part of a transformative mixed-use downtown redevelopment project. The acquisition positions the city to shape the future of a key downtown corridor, potentially including residential, retail, and public space.
New Dunkin' Opens on Hickory Flat Highway
A new Dunkin' opened August 17 at 9045 Hickory Flat Highway in the Hickory Grove shopping center, adding a convenient coffee and breakfast option for residents in north Canton and the Hickory Flat area.
Pedestrian Bridge Completed
The city completed a new pedestrian bridge on August 18, improving walkability and connectivity in one of Canton's growing neighborhoods. The bridge is part of the city's broader investment in pedestrian infrastructure.
Community Events Keep Downtown Buzzing
August was packed with community events in Canton. The Pop-Up Roller Rink took place August 19, drawing families downtown. SoPro hosted an end-of-summer family event on August 15. The River Rock Free Concert Series featured Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder on August 15 at Etowah River Park. The Canton Historic Haunts Ghost Tour Soiree was held August 12. And the Canton Farmers Market continues Saturdays through August 29 at Brown Park.
Explore More Canton
Cartersville: Softball Complex Opens, Black Business Month, and Solar Progress
Dellinger Park Softball Complex Opens
The Dellinger Park Softball Complex officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30, 2026. The new facility features turf construction, spectator seating, and field lighting, providing a new home for the Lady Canes and creating a venue for youth and adult leagues. It is the latest addition to Cartersville's growing park system.
August Proclaimed National Black Business Month
At its August 6 meeting, the Cartersville City Council proclaimed August 2026 as National Black Business Month, recognizing the work of the Northwest Georgia Minority Business Association (NWGAMBA) in supporting Black-owned businesses across the region.
Qcells Production Continues
Qcells continues solar cell manufacturing at America's first vertically integrated solar factory in Cartersville. The facility is running at scale on a 381-acre site in the Highland 75 Industrial Park, with 8.6 GW total U.S. output expected by end of Q3 2026 and 2,500 jobs created. The factory was featured in Georgia Trend Daily for surviving America's solar policy challenges and maintaining production targets.
Rec Center and Splashville Progress
The new 53,000-square-foot Recreation Center at 640 N. Tennessee Street is nearing completion and will open with basketball and gymnastics programs and an indoor walking trail. Splashville, the new water park, is also under construction with a targeted opening later in 2026.
Explore More Cartersville
Dallas and Paulding County: New School Opens, Data Center Pause, and Melt Yard Expansion
Crossroads Elementary Opens Its Doors
Crossroads Elementary School opened for its first day of classes on August 4, 2026, bringing much-needed capacity to the fast-growing Paulding County School District. The new school serves families in the rapidly developing areas of north Paulding County. Paulding County students also achieved record-setting mathematics performance on the 2026 Georgia Milestones.
County Votes to Halt New Data Centers
In a significant move, the Paulding County Board of Commissioners voted in August to halt all new data center projects until January 1, 2027. The decision followed months of resident pushback over neighborhood-scale data center development that some residents argued was encroaching on residential areas. The moratorium gives the county time to develop zoning guidelines for future data center projects.
Melt Yard Announces Second Location
Melt Yard, a popular restaurant, bar, and retro arcade originally based in Marietta, announced a second location in Dallas at 300 W. Memorial Drive. The new location will be housed in a former car dealership in downtown Dallas and is expected to open later in 2026. It is a sign of the growing momentum in Dallas's downtown revitalization.
AAA Bond Rating and District Police Force
Paulding County received a AAA bond rating from Moody's, signaling fiscal strength for attracting business investment. The Paulding County School District also swore in its first class of police officers on July 27, 2026, establishing a dedicated district law enforcement presence.
August Community Events
Dallas kept its community calendar full in August. The 75th Anniversary Diamond Dig celebration drew crowds on August 15. The Food Truck Friday + Car Show on August 21 brought Main Street to life. And a Free Family Movie Night Under the Stars was held August 8 at Veteran's Memorial Park.
Explore More Dallas
Why This Matters for Buyers and Sellers
Real estate is about more than just prices and days on market. The developments, events, and decisions happening in each community shape what it is actually like to live there. A new school opening tells you that a district is investing in its future. A restaurant boom signals economic energy. A city council decision on data centers or mixed-use projects can affect property values and neighborhood character for a generation.
That is why we track these stories. Our clients rely on us not just to know the market data, but to understand what is happening on the ground in every community we serve. It is the difference between knowing a city and really knowing it.
We cover Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, and Bartow counties every day. If you are thinking about a move, we would love to share what we know about the community that fits your life.
Have a great day.