Natasha Hampton, City Manager, City of Riverdale

In an interview with Focus:, Natasha Hampton, Riverdale city manager, discussed the city’s economic momentum, infrastructure priorities, and vision for growth, highlighting beautification efforts, small-business support, and partnerships as key to the city’s development. “Stabilizing the city internally is critical, ensuring great minds fill key executive positions,” she added.

What have been some significant milestones or achievements for the city over the past year?

Over the past year, the City of Riverdale has experienced a period of intentional stabilization and strategic momentum. Since I assumed the role of City Manager in February 2025, our focus has been on strengthening the City’s financial foundation, modernizing internal operations, and positioning Riverdale for long-term, inclusive growth.

One of our most significant milestones was passing a balanced FY2025–FY2026 budget despite inheriting a $3.5 million General Fund deficit — accomplished without a property tax increase and without increasing operational costs. Importantly, that budget also reflected our values by including targeted cost-of-living adjustments, providing 5% increases for employees earning $49,999 or less and 3% for employees earning $50,000 or more, reinforcing our commitment to workforce equity and retention.
We also modernized the City’s financial governance by adopting new Debt Management, Fund Balance, and Investment policies, strengthening internal controls, and transitioning to 100% electronic payment processing, significantly reducing operational risk. Through strategic investment restructuring, we increased annual interest earnings from a nominal amount to over $200,000 annually, creating new non-tax revenue to support City priorities.

From a growth and community impact perspective, the City secured $35 million in SPLOST funding, Riverdale’s largest capital request approved since the program’s inception, to advance transformative projects including a new Administration Building, a state-of-the-art Sports Complex, and a mixed-use Town Center development. We also completed the county’s first ADA-accessible playground, expanding inclusive recreational opportunities for residents of all abilities.

Equally important were investments in leadership and partnerships. We strengthened organizational capacity through key executive appointments, completed Phase I of an organizational assessment, and expanded regional and global engagement. This included representing Riverdale and Clayton County in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, supporting future developer recruitment and economic development, while deepening partnerships with Aerotropolis Atlanta, Clayton County, the Council for Quality Growth, and the Clayton County Housing Authority.

Collectively, these milestones reflect a year defined by disciplined leadership, people-centered decision-making, and purposeful progress — laying a strong foundation for Riverdale’s next phase of growth.

What is the state of the city’s economy, and which sectors are leading its momentum?

Riverdale’s economy is gaining momentum through a combination of strategic location, targeted investment, and intentional alignment with regional growth drivers. As a community directly adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s most important economic engines, Riverdale is uniquely positioned within the Aerotropolis ecosystem to benefit from logistics, hospitality, business services, and global connectivity.

A key sector driving current and future momentum is sports tourism and recreation-based economic development. With the City advancing a state-of-the-art sports complex and investing in recreational infrastructure, Riverdale is positioning itself to attract tournaments, regional events, and visitor spending that support hotels, restaurants, and local businesses while enhancing quality of life for residents. Sports tourism allows us to compete regionally while creating repeat economic activity that extends beyond single events.

Small business development is another critical pillar of Riverdale’s economic strategy. We are focused on creating pathways for local entrepreneurs to participate in City procurement, capitalize on increased visitor traffic, and grow alongside larger development projects. Efforts to establish B2B procurement opportunities, support minority- and locally owned businesses, and align zoning and development with neighborhood-scale entrepreneurship are helping ensure growth is both inclusive and sustainable.

At the same time, Riverdale is laying the groundwork for mixed-use and commercial development near key corridors and Town Center, leveraging airport proximity and regional partnerships to attract developers, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses that strengthen the City’s tax base without overburdening infrastructure.

Overall, Riverdale’s economy is transitioning from reactive growth to strategic, sector-driven momentum — anchored by airport-related opportunity, fueled by sports tourism, and sustained through intentional small business development. This balanced approach positions the City to compete regionally while ensuring economic benefits are felt locally.

In what ways are beautification efforts contributing to economic growth, community revitalization, and improved quality of life?

In Riverdale, beautification is viewed as a strategic investment, not an aesthetic afterthought. Our approach intentionally links physical improvements to economic vitality, neighborhood stabilization, and community pride — recognizing that how a city looks directly influences how it is experienced, invested in, and valued.

One of our key efforts has been pursuing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support commercial and residential façade and roof improvements. These targeted investments help extend the life of existing structures, support small businesses, stabilize neighborhoods, and improve the visual and economic appeal of key corridors. When property owners are empowered to reinvest, it strengthens the local tax base while preserving community character.

Programs like Keep Riverdale Beautiful play an equally important role by fostering civic pride and environmental stewardship. Through cleanup initiatives, community partnerships, and education, the program helps create cleaner, more inviting neighborhoods — conditions that support public safety, encourage foot traffic, and reinforce resident and business confidence in the community.

Additionally, the City’s SPLOST-approved, citywide wayfinding signage initiative is a critical component of our beautification and economic development strategy. Wayfinding improves navigation, enhances the visitor experience, supports local businesses by increasing visibility, and reinforces Riverdale’s brand identity — particularly for visitors traveling through the region and those connected to airport and sports tourism activity.

Together, these efforts contribute to a stronger sense of place, improved market perception, and greater community pride. By aligning beautification with economic development, infrastructure investment, and branding, Riverdale is creating environments that attract investment, support existing businesses, and improve quality of life for residents — ensuring that revitalization is both visible and meaningful.

How does the city support small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive local growth and job creation?

Riverdale’s approach to small business support is rooted in the belief that local entrepreneurs are essential to economic resilience and job creation. Our focus is not only on attracting new businesses, but on ensuring that City policies, processes, and practices actively support small business success.

A key area of emphasis is how the City procures goods and services. We are assessing our procurement practices to ensure small and locally owned businesses have meaningful access to City opportunities. This includes reviewing policies, bid thresholds, and participation requirements to remove unnecessary barriers and encourage broader small business participation in City contracts.

We are also committed to creating a seamless, business-friendly permitting process. By evaluating permitting workflows and requirements, we aim to reduce delays and administrative hardship that disproportionately affect small businesses, while still maintaining appropriate safety and compliance standards.

Additionally, the City is examining requirements — such as insurance thresholds and other cost-related barriers — that may be challenging for small businesses to meet. Our goal is to strike a thoughtful balance between risk management and accessibility, ensuring that well-qualified small businesses are not excluded due to barriers that can be responsibly addressed or phased.

Collectively, these efforts reflect Riverdale’s commitment to being intentionally small business–friendly. By aligning procurement, permitting, and policy with the realities small businesses face, we are positioning Riverdale as a premier city for small business development, where entrepreneurs can start, grow, and create jobs within a supportive and responsive local government framework.

What are some of the most pressing infrastructure priorities for Riverdale and how are they being addressed?

Riverdale’s infrastructure priorities are shaped by its compact footprint — just over 4.3 square miles, and its location along Highway 85, one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the region. While this connectivity is a major economic asset, it also places heightened demand on roads, utilities, public facilities, and pedestrian safety.

One of our top priorities is modernizing core infrastructure to support both daily traffic volumes and long-term growth. The City has advanced more than $4 million in planned roadway and infrastructure improvements across key corridors, including Church Street, Valley Hill Road, King Road, and neighborhoods in every ward. These investments are designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance mobility for residents, businesses, and visitors traveling through the city.

Another critical priority is ensuring that public facilities keep pace with service demands. Through the SPLOST program, Riverdale secured $35 million in voter-approved funding, the largest capital allocation in the program’s history, to advance transformative projects, including a new Administration Building, a state-of-the-art Sports Complex, and mixed-use development at Town Center. These projects will modernize City operations, support sports tourism, and create new economic activity without increasing the tax burden on residents.

Given Riverdale’s development pressure and limited land area, strategic growth management is also essential. The City recommended a development moratorium to recalibrate permitting activity and ensure future development aligns with infrastructure capacity, traffic realities, and the City’s long-term vision. This pause allows for thoughtful planning rather than reactive growth.

Additionally, the City is investing in citywide wayfinding signage, funded through SPLOST, to improve navigation, safety, and the visitor experience — particularly for those entering Riverdale via Highway 85. Wayfinding supports local businesses, strengthens city branding, and helps manage the flow of high traffic through a small but highly connected community.

Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive infrastructure strategy — one that balances Riverdale’s size with its regional significance, addresses immediate needs, and positions the City for sustainable growth in a high-traffic environment.

What other aspects about the city’s quality of life, especially for families, would you highlight?

Riverdale’s quality of life is rooted in access, inclusion, and intentional investment in families. While the City is compact in size, our focus is on ensuring residents experience safe neighborhoods, supportive services, and environments where families can thrive.

Riverdale is served by Clayton County Public Schools, including multiple public schools located within the city, providing families with access to educational opportunities close to home. The City works collaboratively to support safe routes, neighborhood stability, and community environments that complement student success and family well-being.

Inclusive recreation and public spaces are another hallmark of Riverdale’s family-friendly focus. The completion of the county’s first ADA-accessible playground reflects our commitment to accessibility and inclusion, ensuring children of all abilities have safe and engaging places to play. Continued investments in parks, recreation, and youth-oriented amenities further enhance everyday quality of life.

Neighborhood safety and community standards also play a critical role. Through strengthened public safety leadership and proactive Code Compliance efforts, the City supports well-maintained neighborhoods while emphasizing education, prevention, and community engagement.

Programs like Keep Riverdale Beautiful foster civic pride and environmental stewardship, encouraging residents of all ages to take ownership of their community. In addition, ongoing technology enhancements are improving access to City services, making it easier for families to engage with local governments.

Combined with Riverdale’s proximity to major employment centers and regional assets, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, these elements contribute to a community that is connected, inclusive, and focused on providing a high quality of life for families.

How are partnerships helping elevate the city’s role in the Greater Atlanta market?

Partnerships are central to how Riverdale elevates its role in the Greater Atlanta market. As a compact city located along a major regional corridor, collaboration allows us to extend our reach, align with broader economic strategies, and compete effectively within a highly interconnected metropolitan area.

Riverdale works closely with Clayton County to ensure coordinated planning, infrastructure investment, and service delivery that support shared economic and community goals. Our engagement with Aerotropolis Atlanta further strengthens Riverdale’s positioning within one of the region’s most significant economic engines, allowing the City to align with airport-driven growth in logistics, hospitality, advanced manufacturing, and global commerce.

We also partner with organizations such as the Council for Quality Growth, which connects Riverdale to regional leaders, developers, and policymakers, helping the City remain informed, visible, and engaged in conversations shaping metro Atlanta’s future. Collaboration with the Clayton County Housing Authority supports coordinated housing and community development efforts that strengthen neighborhoods while expanding opportunity.

Beyond regional partnerships, Riverdale is intentionally expanding its global engagement. Representing the City and Clayton County in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, strengthened international relationships that support future developer recruitment, foreign direct investment, and global market awareness — positioning Riverdale as a city that thinks beyond its borders while acting locally.

Together, these partnerships amplify Riverdale’s voice, enhance its credibility, and connect local priorities to regional and global opportunities. By leveraging collaboration, Riverdale is not only participating in the Greater Atlanta market — it is helping shape it in ways that are strategic, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Looking forward, what are your key goals for the city, and how can local businesses and residents help bring them to life?

Looking ahead, Riverdale’s goals are centered on intentional growth, operational excellence, and inclusive opportunity. We are focused on strengthening infrastructure, advancing economic development, and continuing to modernize City operations in ways that directly improve quality of life for residents.

Key priorities include delivering major infrastructure and capital projects, such as breaking ground on a new Administration Building, advancing a state-of-the-art Sports Complex, and completing roadway improvements across all wards. We are also committed to implementing the City’s classification and compensation study, investing in technology upgrades, and launching a new Code Compliance neighborhood initiative that supports safe, well-maintained communities.

Economic development remains a central focus. Riverdale aims to attract mixed-use development, restaurants, and small businesses that align with our vision and leverage our proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Strengthening B2B procurement opportunities and continuing to reduce barriers for small businesses will help ensure local entrepreneurs are positioned to grow alongside larger development efforts.

Local businesses and residents play a vital role in bringing this vision to life. Businesses can engage by participating in City procurement opportunities, investing locally, and partnering with the City on community and economic initiatives. Residents can contribute by staying informed, participating in public meetings, supporting local businesses, and taking part in programs that promote neighborhood pride and civic engagement.

Riverdale’s future will be built through shared ownership and collaboration. By working together, government, businesses, and residents, we can continue to move the City forward in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and reflective of the community we serve.

How would you describe the city’s progress over the past year, and what has helped lay the groundwork for its next phase of growth?

Riverdale’s progress is not the result of any single initiative. It is the outcome of intentionality, collaboration, trust, and shared commitment. The work we are doing reflects the dedication of City staff, the leadership of the Mayor and City Council, and the engagement of residents, businesses, and regional partners who believe in Riverdale’s potential.

As City Manager, my approach is rooted in people-centered leadership, fiscal responsibility, and intentional growth. Every decision is guided by the question of how we create lasting value for the community — today and for future generations.
Riverdale may be compact in size, but it is strategically positioned, globally connected, and forward-focused. With continued collaboration and thoughtful investment, the City is well on its way to becoming a model for how smaller communities can lead with clarity, discipline, and vision in the Greater Atlanta region.

I’m excited about what’s ahead and grateful to serve a city that is flowing and moving forward — together.