Gainesville is a city of more than 30,000 in Hall County at the base of the Blueridge Mountains. Gainesville is home to Brenau University, which was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best masterÿs programs in the nation for its 2007 ´Best Colleges¡ edition. Furthermore, The Princeton Review named Brenau University to its list of The Best Southeastern Colleges.
The region has enjoyed a growth spurt of more than 25% from 2000 to 2005. The cityÿs economic base is linked to not only the university but also to a large number of poultry processing plants, as well as traditional retail. Among the sites to see are Lake Lanier, Georgiaÿs largest lake, the Elachee Nature Science Center, the Linwood Nature Preserve (featuring streams, wetlands, and greenspace), and the Green Street Station, which is home to the Georgia Mountains Historical and Cultural Trust.
