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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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LaFayette selected for Thriving Communities program

LaFayette is launching an initiative to help promote community growth and inclusion.
LaFayette is launching an initiative to help promote community growth and inclusion. LaFayette is launching an initiative to help promote community growth and inclusion.

The city of LaFayette, Georgia is among three municipalities selected for the next round of the Thriving Communities program.

Spearheaded by Thrive Regional Partnership, the community accelerator program brings in design professionals to teach local change-makers how they can leverage the city’s artistic and cultural assets to spark economic vibrancy and growth.

Upon completion of the 10 months of training, each community will be eligible to apply for a $20,000 grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to carry out a culture and arts project that will benefit both residents and visitors. The initiative comes at no cost to the city, except for transportation to and from meetings in Chattanooga.

According to Thrive representatives, LaFayette stood out among applicants in part because of the redevelopment of Queen City Lake, and because of its Honeybee Festival, which with its live music and honeybee education attractions has drawn 30,000 people to the city. Both of which serve as successful marks of the city’s rebranding.

Also selected for the opportunity this year were Dayton, Tenn., and Bridgeport, Ala.