Summer Heat, Big Bets, and Community Pride

Good morning Stewards,

Summer officially arrived this week with a vengeance, and I'm not just talking about the heat wave heading our way.

Between Home Depot's massive headquarters expansion, exciting developments at the old Emory Hospital site, and Smyrna Pride kicking off this Saturday, our little corner of Cobb County is buzzing with activity.

Speaking of buzzing, I spent Sunday morning at the new Matilda Ruff Memorial Garden, and let me tell you, it's a hidden gem that deserves your attention. More on that below.

As always, this newsletter exists because you make it possible. Forward it to a neighbor, share it with your book club, or just hit reply and tell me what's on your mind. I personally read every email..

Stay cool out there.

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

In Today's Edition

• 🏢 Home Depot's Big Bet: Fortune 500 Company Doubles Down on Smyrna

• ⚡ Georgia Power's Hydrogen Breakthrough: Clean Energy Innovation in Our Backyard

• 🏳️‍🌈 Difference Makers: Smyrna Pride Celebrates Community This Saturday

• 🌡️ Stewards Watch: Heat Wave Survival Guide for Triple-Digit Temps

• 💼 Job Board: Police Officer & Medical Assistant Positions

• 🏗️ Public Pulse: The Emory Hospital Site Gets a Second Life

• 🌸 Hidden Gem: Matilda Ruff Memorial Garden Recognition

• 🗓️ Event Horizon: Your Week in Smyrna-Vinings

Home Depot's Big Bet on Smyrna Gets Even Bigger

The orange giant isn't going anywhere: in fact, they're doubling down on our neighborhood in a major way.

Cobb County commissioners just approved a significant expansion at Home Depot's corporate headquarters on Paces Ferry Road, complete with tax abatements from the Development Authority that'll keep this Fortune 500 company firmly planted in Smyrna soil.

We're talking about hundreds of additional jobs and millions in continued investment.

Here's what caught my attention: while other major corporations are downsizing office space or going fully remote, Home Depot is betting big on in-person collaboration and Smyrna's business climate.

That tells you something about both the company's culture and our city's appeal to major employers.

The expansion means more lunch spots will likely pop up nearby (hello, food truck opportunities), more traffic during rush hour (sorry, Windy Hill commuters), and continued proof that Smyrna remains a serious player in metro Atlanta's economic landscape.

Georgia Power's Hydrogen Breakthrough Has Local Implications

While you were probably focused on your air conditioning bill, Georgia Power quietly achieved something pretty remarkable at their Plant McDonough facility: successfully testing hydrogen as a fuel source for electricity generation.

Why should Smyrna residents care about energy policy? Because this represents a potential game-changer for our region's energy future and economic development opportunities.

As Georgia Power scales up clean energy technologies, metro Atlanta – including Smyrna – becomes more attractive to manufacturers and tech companies that prioritize sustainable operations.

We've already seen this play out with data centers and electric vehicle manufacturing choosing Georgia over other states.

The hydrogen testing success also positions our state as a leader in next-generation energy storage and distribution, which could mean more high-paying technical jobs and supporting businesses throughout the region.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Smyrna Pride Celebrates Community

Saturday, June 28th marks Smyrna's annual Pride celebration, and this year's event promises to be the largest yet.

The festivities kick off this weekend with live music, local vendors, and family-friendly activities running throughout the afternoon.

What sets Smyrna Pride apart from larger metro Atlanta events is its distinctly neighborhood feel. You'll recognize faces from the grocery store, your kid's school, and maybe even your book club.

It's Pride celebration meets community block party, which feels perfectly on-brand for our city.

Local businesses are stepping up as sponsors and participants, creating an economic boost that ripples through our small business community.

Food trucks, artisan vendors, and service providers all benefit from events that draw visitors to Smyrna while celebrating our residents.

STEWARDS WATCH
Heat Wave Incoming: Your Summer Survival Guide

The National Weather Service isn't messing around with this week's forecast, we're looking at our first legitimate heat wave of summer, with apparent temperatures potentially hitting triple digits.

Here's your practical survival checklist:

• Hydrate before you're thirsty (seriously, start now)

• Check on elderly neighbors : a quick text or doorbell ring can be lifesaving

• Avoid outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM if possible

• Know the cooling center locations: Smyrna Community Center and the Library both offer refuge

For pet owners: asphalt can reach 150°F in direct sunlight, so test surfaces with the back of your hand before walks. If it's too hot for your skin, it's too hot for paws.

PUBLIC PULSE
Sales Tax Renewal: The Decision That Shapes Our Next Decade

The upcoming conversation about SPLOST renewal deserves your attention because it determines how we fund major infrastructure improvements through 2035.

Current projects funded by this 1% sales tax include road resurfacing, intersection improvements, park renovations (like the Creatwood Park project), and public safety facility upgrades.

Without renewal, these improvements either don't happen or require significant property tax increases to fund – meaning homeowners bear the full burden instead of sharing costs with everyone who shops and dines in Cobb County.

Public input opportunities: County commissioners will hold community meetings throughout July and August. These sessions influence project prioritization, so attendance matters if you have opinions about which improvements should take priority.

Timeline: Final decisions expected by early fall, with implementation beginning in 2026 if approved.

HIDDEN GEM
Celebrating the Strides We’ve Made: Matilda Ruff Memorial Garden

EVENT HORIZON
Your Week in Smyrna-Vinings 

• 🚚 Food Truck Tuesday: Savor gourmet bites, sweets, and music every Tuesday night. 📍 Taylor-Brawner Park | 🗓 Tuesday, June 24 | ⏰ 5–9 PM

• 🎨 Make-it Mondays: Pick up a themed to-go craft kit for kids ages 3–7, designed to accompany the Storytime theme for each week.📍Smyrna Public Library, Youth Services Desk, 100 Village Green Circle SE | 🗓 Monday, June 30 | ⏰ 10 AM–7 PM (While supplies last. Craft kits will be distributed during Curbside Pickup from 9–11 AM and 6–8 PM due to library closure.)

• ✏️ Draw with Shanda McCloskey: Join author and illustrator Shanda McCloskey for a read-aloud of one of her stories, then follow a step-by-step draw-along to create a character from the book. Books will be available for purchase after the program. 📍 Reed House, 3080 Atlanta Road | 🗓 Monday, June 30 | ⏰ 2–2:45 PM (For ages 4-7. Registration is required for all attendees. No strollers, please.)

• 🏃 Monday Night Run Club - Run Smyrna: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run📍Smyrna Beer Market (by Stout Brothers, SW of the fountain). 🗓 Monday, June 30 | ⏰ Meet at 6:30 PM, run starts shortly after (Run at your own pace, and your own risk.)

👋 Until Next Tuesday

As we head into Independence Day weekend, it's worth reflecting on what the Fourth of July actually commemorates: a community's decision to take responsibility for its own governance and future.

That same spirit of civic engagement shows up in smaller ways every week – in city council meetings, park renovations, Pride celebrations, and infrastructure planning sessions.

The thread connecting 1776 to 2025 isn't just historical continuity – it's the ongoing choice citizens make to participate in shaping their community rather than just residing within it.

Whether that's volunteering for trail maintenance, attending public meetings about sales tax renewal, or simply checking on neighbors during holiday celebrations, civic engagement remains a daily choice.

Make choices this week that strengthen our community fabric.

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🧭 Support our local businesses! They're the ones supporting the community and hiring your neighbors in Smyrna & Vinings
📣 Got a local gem or listing? Send it our way
💬 Chat with your neighbors: CobbTalk Forum

📬 Stay in the loop: Sign up for Smyrna-Vinings news delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM

Thanks for continuing to show up for your community!
— The Stewardship Group

P.S. Stewardship Challenge of the Week
This holiday weekend, take a moment to thank someone who serves our community: whether that's a parks maintenance worker, local business owner, volunteer firefighter, or neighbor who organizes community events.

Recognition matters, and civic engagement includes celebrating the people who make our town work.