residents commuting long distances for work. “We don’t want all those people to leave, as a vast majority of our population does, and drive to Atlanta for work,” she says. To tackle this, the city focuses heavily on developing its commercial sector, aiming to create more local job opportunities to keep residents working closer to home. The mayor is especially passionate about revitalizing Villa Rica’s historic downtown. “Revitalizing our historic downtown is probably top of the list,” she emphasizes. While the city’s basic infrastructure and recreation services are always a priority, the mayor is personally committed to breathing new life into the downtown area. She believes that enhancing downtown will draw more visitors and encourage local businesses to thrive. However, commercial development isn’t just limited to downtown; the city is also working on bringing in businesses outside the core, aiming to give residents more local shopping options and employment options. In the months ahead, Villa Rica’s leadership is on a course toward thoughtful, inclusive growth. By addressing the city’s housing needs, building stronger commercial opportunities, and reinforcing the collaboration between government and local institutions, the city is positioning itself for a future where current and new residents can live, work, and thrive without looking outside their community for opportunity. 189 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 VILLA RICA, GA
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