The Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC) is in the process of updating a regional plan that will have an impact on how Dawson and surrounding counties grow and develop in the future. The GMRC is a sub-state district created by local governments in 1962 under provisions of Georgia Enabling Law. One of 12 regional commissions in Georgia, the purpose of the GMRC is to locally promote and guide development of human, natural, physical, social and economic resources in the Georgia Mountains Region. The area covers 3,500 square miles, and includes Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White Counties.