CANTON — For the past 15 years, Bill Grant has served the city of Canton wearing many hats.

Choosing to crank up his level of involvement, Grant is now seeking the Ward 2 seat on the Canton City Council.

Grant, along with David Stoker, is challenging first-term incumbent Jack Goodwin.

Grant, 49, said he believes he can bring a fresh perspective to the council. As a creative professional, the owner of Grant Design Collaborative said he believed he can provide ways to bring creative problem-solving into the city.

The local business owner said the city has some great assets, such as the Etowah River, easy access to Interstate 575, beautiful parks, a “historic downtown we’ve been working to revitalize via the Main Street Program” and good commercial districts, such as RiverStone and Canton Marketplace.

Grant said he wants to use his marketing background to “better package and sell the city.”

He also said he wants to help enhance the city’s tax base to include more commercial businesses, explore public-private partnerships to help “rebuild our companies” and encourage younger Canton residents to get involved and take ownership of the city.

Engaging younger generations, Grant said, will help the city make progress in attracting businesses and offering a diverse array of recreational activities.

Noting he has steered his company through the recession during the last three years, Grant said he believes he can offer the leadership needed to get the city moving forward again.

“I think things are at a stalemate,” he said, adding the vision of the city has been stagnant.

Regarding some of the biggest issues facing the city, Grant said the city should pass on selling its 25 percent share of the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, consider the proposal to consolidate its water and sewer system with the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority and avoid, if possible, raising water and sewer rates on its customers.

Grant grew up in Dalton and graduated from Berry College with a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology in 1984. He also completed the Harvard Business School’s Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders executive education program.

Grant is the past president of the Cherokee Arts Center’s board of directors and the city’s Main Street Program.

He’s also done volunteer work for the Cherokee Family Violence Center and the Mimms Boys and Girls Club.

If he’s elected, Grant said he wants to be accessible and available to residents who have ideas they want to share. He also said he hopes to use his position to get more people involved in local government.