Seen in the photo (from left): Catoosa County Chairman Steven M. Henry, Walker County Chairwoman Angie Teems, Dade County Chairman Don Townsend, and Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen.

County leaders across Northwest Georgia have formally launched a new series of quarterly meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation, streamlining shared services, and tackling common regional challenges.

The inaugural gathering took place in Ringgold this week, hosted by Catoosa County Chairman Steven M. Henry. The meeting brought together chairpersons and commissioners from neighboring jurisdictions—including Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen—to establish a deeper commitment to collaboration across the region.

The initiative stems from a recognition that many Northwest Georgia counties already share vital infrastructure and services. Chairman Henry emphasized that ongoing communication and coordination are essential to ensuring these systems operate efficiently and deliver maximum benefit to local residents.

“Through stronger partnership comes greater efficiency, greater impact on people, and new approaches to solving challenges,” Henry said during the kick-off meeting.

The participating leaders currently share a number of resources, most notably the Lookout Mountain Judicial District. The quarterly meetings will serve as a dedicated forum for maintaining the effectiveness of these joint operations while also investigating new avenues for shared efforts.

The new structure is designed to move beyond informal coordination. The regular sessions will explore solutions to common issues impacting the combined population, ranging from public safety concerns to regional economic development, signaling a renewed effort to maximize efficiency and joint efforts across the Northwest Georgia region.