Recent Capital Improvement Projects
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Aaron Road/Hudson Drive
Improvements to Aaron Road and Hudson Drive were accomplished using both County and private forces in order to improve a highly traveled and long neglected road network around the Oakland school region. Hudson Drive, frequently traveled by school traffic, was widened to an adequate two lanes of travel and resurfaced. Aaron Road, sufficiently wide for the traffic it receives, was given a new asphalt surface.
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Animal Shelter
Gilmer County's new Animal Shelter was completed and opened for operation in June 2009. This new facility houses 30 kennels. This Animal Shelter was built with sanitation and longevity in mind. If you are looking for a companion or the new family pet, our new shelter is designed to make the adoption experience quick and painless. Located four miles east on Hwy 52E, it is next to our Road Department and Cartecay Compactor location.
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Courthouse Parking
Needed for quite some time are our newly constructed and renovated parking lots in Downtown Ellijay. With over 270 new spaces added, these new parking lots have made it easier to come downtown to do business. Lot A, as we called it during construction, is located where the Perry House used to be. During the week, you will usually see courthouse patrons and Dalton State College students using the newly reconstructed area. Lot B is located where the Church of God used to stand. This lot was designed for courthouse employees and patrons of the Gilmer County Historical Society (The Tabor House). Whether you are visiting or use them daily, we hope you enjoy our new parking lots.
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Fire Station 1
Gilmer County Fire Station 1 is not only the Gilmer County Emergency Services Headquarters; it is also the flagship of our eight new stations. Located on newly constructed Howard Simmons Rd., it is centrally located in the heart of Gilmer County. Fire Station 1 was completed and opened for operation in January of 2009. This station is currently home to a custom engine, a 3000 gallon tanker, a rescue squad, and our county ladder truck. Station 1 is where all the daily operations for Fire Rescue, EMS, and EMA begin and end.
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Fire Station 7
The recent addition to our Flat Creek fire station located eight miles southwest on Hwy 382 has enabled us to man this location. Fire Station 7 was completed and opened for operation in August 2009. Placing a firefighter/EMT at this station round-the-clock has decreased our response times to emergencies on the southwest side of the county.
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Fire Station 11
Located 1/10 of a mile from the intersection of Hwy 515 and White Path Rd., our newly constructed Fire Station 11 was completed and opened for operation December 2008. This station is another one of our newly manned stations.
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Fire Station 12
Our new addition to the east side of the county is Fire Station 12. This four bay station is home to an ambulance, engine, and rescue squad. It is manned with a Paramedic and EMT crew. They are also cross-trained as fire fighters, which has centrally located a quick response team round-the-clock for many types of emergencies on the east side of Gilmer County. You can see our beautiful new station located six miles east on Hwy 52E on newly constructed Fire House Lane.
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Fire Station 14
Fire Station 14 Located two miles outside of the Ellijay city limits on Hwy 282 (Tails Creek) not only gives extra coverage to our centrally located calls but also covers the west side of the county. This station is home to a 24 hour Paramedic and EMT two-person crew. Our medic team is also cross-trained in fire fighting. In addition to the ambulance, Station 14 is equipped with a custom engine and a rescue squad. It has been completed and operational since April 2009.
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Howard Simmons Road
The addition of Howard Simmons Road to the Gilmer County Road Inventory has greatly added to the connectivity and accessibility of said infrastructure. Howard Simmons, along with the relatively new Eller Road, complete the connector from Old Highway 5 to Yukon Road through the economic epicenter of the County. Howard Simmons is also home to recently constructed Fire Station #1. Howard Simmons Road was funded through County resources using private contractors.
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Maxwell Road
The improvements to Maxwell Road, located in the northernmost portion of the County, also improved ease of travel and connectivity to the road system of the region. Maxwell Road connects Highway 515 to Sugar Creek Road (a.k.a. Boardtown Road), in Fannin County. Prior to the recent project, a portion of Maxwell Road within Gilmer County was a narrow, gravel road with a small stream running along the edge of gravel at road level. Extensive permitting was required for the protection of this stream during and after construction. The raising and widening of the road bed was an arduous task which was accomplished by the Gilmer County Road Department with the help of private contractors for blasting and the assistance of Fannin County with the application of the asphalt surface.
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Water Tank Buildings
Since Gilmer is such a rural county, fire hydrants are a rare sight outside of the city limits. Unfortunately, just because they are scarce does not decrease the need. Gilmer County Fire has created a solution to this problem. We are in the process of strategically placing water storage tank facilities throughout the county. These new storage containers will enable our firefighters to dump water at a fire and return refilled with a much faster turnaround time. Each 10,000 gallon container is equipped with a 500gpm pump which can fill our largest tanker in just six minutes.
