Canton faces financial crisis

Metro Atlanta

Canton faces financial crisis

Photos: The city of Canton in Cherokee County is facing a financial crisis and has laid off 20 workers.

A 'For Rent sign' sits in a vacant store in downtown Canton. The city in Cherokee County is facing serious financial problems. Canton officials are laying off 20 employees and making other cuts.

Mayor Gene Hobgood said the financial problems surfaced very quickly. "As recently as September, we were told the finances were OK," he said.

Over a period of time, Canton has amassed $60 million in debt, much of it for the Hickory Log Reservoir.

The city began employee layoffs after being told it was in danger of not being able to pay its bills by late April.

Canton City Hall is housed in the the renovated First Baptist Church building.

The old Cherokee County Court house is no longer in use for cases, but it sits majestically in the center of the town.

An American flag is painted in the steps of the Arts Center in downtown Canton.

Wilted vines of a community garden are silhouetted in front of a faded mural.

The Etowah River runs through the city of Canton.

Shawn Donald brings food to customers at the Downtown Kitchen.

An American flag flutters in the breeze on a front porch of a house.

A Confederate flag flutters in the breeze at a grave in Canton's Riverview Cemetery, established in 1844.

This is the Fairways of Canton golf course, which is owned by the city and leased to an outside operator.

Men play soccer at at Heritage Park in Canton.

This is the Riverstone Parkway area, a popular shopping and dining destination in Canton.

Hales Electrical Contractors employees Jim Hendricks (left) and Dean Clark work inside the Hickory Log Reservoir.

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A 'For Rent sign' sits in a vacant store in downtown Canton. The city in Cherokee County is facing serious financial problems. Canton officials are laying off 20 employees and making other cuts.

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