Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

235 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 VI LLA RICA , GEORGIA renovated to add a bit of character to the area. For years Villa Rica was best known for a gas explosion on December 5, 1957, that damaged numerous buildings downtown and killed 12 individuals. It remains the most disastrous loss of life and injury in Carroll County history. That tragic history though is fading away as the city looks to the future. Villa Rica Mayor Gil McDougal supports the idea of the city continuing to assist locally owned businesses in the downtown area and working with any entrepreneur interested in pursuing their dream. Barber says that most of the businesses in downtown Villa Rica are “mom and pop” stores while national chain stores are populated along the local state highway. The reality is that the majority of Americans, and even Georgia residents are employed by small businesses. City leadership is looking to create more unique business opportunities to help WaltonCommunities.com The Legacy at Walton Trail ( 55+) Where you won’t just live, you’ll thrive