What Is Best of Georgia? Why This Statewide Recognition Matters

If you’ve been following Southern Brush lately, you’ve probably seen us talking about Best of Georgia — but what exactly is it, and what does it mean for a local business to be nominated?

Best of Georgia is an annual awards program presented by the Georgia Business Journal that recognizes businesses and organizations across the state. From contractors and home services to restaurants, healthcare providers, salons, and professional services, the program gives Georgians an opportunity to recognize the businesses they trust and support.

And for small, locally owned businesses like Southern Brush, that recognition means a lot.

How Does Best of Georgia Work?

Throughout the year, customers and community members can nominate and vote for their favorite Georgia businesses. There are more than 20 industry and community sections represented in the awards, including a dedicated Contractors section.

Voting plays the primary role in determining the winners. The Georgia Business Journal also reviews votes for validity and verifies potential winning businesses using consumer reports and industry-specific organizations when applicable.

For 2026, voting is open through October 31 at 11:59 p.m., and voters can cast a vote for a business once per day.

That means Best of Georgia isn't based on just one customer's experience. Continued support from customers, neighbors, and communities throughout the voting period can help a business earn statewide recognition.

What Does It Mean to Win Best of Georgia?

Best of Georgia recognizes businesses at three levels: Best of Georgia, Regional Winner, and Honorable Mention.

The Best of Georgia designation is the program's highest level of recognition and is awarded to businesses receiving some of the greatest support within their category. Regional Winners recognize standout businesses within areas of the state, while Honorable Mentions provide additional recognition to businesses that perform strongly in their categories.

According to the Georgia Business Journal, the number of businesses recognized varies depending on the size of each industry, and up to 30% of nominated businesses within an industry may receive recognition.

Winners are then featured through the Georgia Business Journal's website, newsletter, social media, and annual print publication.

Why Does an Award Like This Matter to a Local Business?

When you're choosing someone to work on your property, reputation matters.

Whether you need land clearing, forestry mulching, grading, drainage work, site preparation, hardscaping, or another property improvement, you're trusting a company with an important investment. Awards driven largely by customer voting give communities another way to recognize businesses they've had positive experiences with.

For us, that's what makes Best of Georgia meaningful.

Southern Brush has always been focused on doing quality work and building long-term relationships throughout North Georgia. Every project gives us another opportunity to earn the trust of the people we serve.

Southern Brush & Best of Georgia

This isn't Southern Brush's first experience with Best of Georgia.

We're incredibly grateful to have received Best of Georgia recognition in 2023, 2024, and 2025, along with Best of Forsyth recognition in 2024.

Now, Southern Brush is once again nominated for Best of Georgia in the Landscaping category for 2026.

While we're proud of the awards we've received in the past, what matters most is what they represent: years of projects, customers who trusted us with their properties, and a North Georgia community that continues to support our team.

Help Southern Brush Bring Home Best of Georgia Again

Voting for the 2026 Best of Georgia awards closes October 31, 2026, and you can vote once per day.

If Southern Brush has worked on your property, you've followed one of our projects, or you simply want to support a local North Georgia business, we'd appreciate your vote.

Every vote is another show of support for the work our team puts into properties across North Georgia — from transforming overgrown land to preparing sites for what's coming next.

Thank you to every customer, friend, and community member who continues to support Southern Brush. We couldn't do what we do without you.

Ready to transform your property? Contact us today for a free estimate!

📞 Call 678-780-9882

📍 Proudly serving Dawsonville, Dahlonega, Cumming, Gainesville, Canton, Alpharetta, and Fulton.