Spotlight On: Mario Avery, Mayor, City of Fairburn
June 2025 — In an interview with Focus:, Mayor Mario Avery of the city of Fairburn discussed strategic growth, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and community engagement. “This boost in income and development isn’t accidental, it’s the result of deliberate efforts to improve quality of life,” he said.
What have been the key milestones for Fairburn over the past year?
One major milestone we’ve achieved is the significant rise in our median income, which has nearly doubled from around $45,000 to $90,000 over the past six to seven years. This increase is more than just a number — it reflects the momentum we’ve built through steady residential and commercial development throughout the city. We’ve seen a wave of new housing and apartment complexes, along with a noticeable expansion in our business sector. None of this happened by chance; our economic development team and city staff have been intentional in promoting smart, sustainable growth. Their efforts have focused on enhancing quality of life, attracting investment, and creating opportunities that have led to this meaningful economic progress.
What investments has the city made to support businesses and infrastructure?
We’ve made substantial investments in our local economy, including nearly $440,000 in small business grants that have helped businesses relocate and expand — among them well-loved spots like Judy’s, Savory’s, and Buttermilk Biscuit. In total, we’ve supported 32 businesses, which have played a key role in elevating Fairburn’s business profile and creating a more vibrant local economy. At the same time, we’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to infrastructure by paving over 30 miles of streets and upgrading sidewalks in just three years. These improvements have not only enhanced accessibility but also contributed to the overall beautification and livability of our community.
What are some of the city’s unique advantages that help attract and retain business investment?
One of Fairburn’s greatest strengths is our exceptional customer service, a point that continues to resonate with local business owners, including the owner of our Tim Hortons, who recently praised how business-friendly our government is. We’ve developed an efficient permitting and communication process that many corporations have noted sets us apart from other cities, where delays and inefficiencies often create unnecessary hurdles. By eliminating that friction, we’ve made it easier for businesses to choose Fairburn. Additionally, we actively market our available land to prospective businesses, and we’re backing that up with major infrastructure improvements, such as the $120 million expansion at the I-85/Highway 74 interchange. This project includes a new bridge and widened roadways that will greatly improve regional access to Peachtree City, Fayette County, Newton, and South Fulton. Behind these efforts is a strong, capable team — our city administrator and staff have consistently demonstrated impressive negotiation skills, helping us attract investment and secure infrastructure upgrades. Hosting international delegations, like the Korean trade delegates, is just one example of how we’re positioning Fairburn as a serious contender in the global business landscape.
What community-focused initiatives are you most proud of?
During my recent State of the City address, I emphasized how we’re investing in our seniors through targeted training and services, making sure our long-time residents experience a meaningful return on their taxpayer contributions. We’re equally committed to our youth, with programs like the Youth Council that pairs students from Global Academy with City Council members to foster civic engagement across generations. Diversity is a cornerstone of our community, and we celebrate it with pride. One example is our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, which spans October and November and reflects our broader efforts to include Hispanic and Asian communities in city events and outreach. Our signature events continue to bring our city together — Fairburn Festival in 2024 drew over 30,000 people and featured a powerful lineup of marching bands, colleges, high schools, and the U.S. Army Band, which holds special meaning for me as a veteran.
Events like Third Fridays have also helped establish Fairburn as a cultural hub, with performances from artists like Grammy-winner Bobby Rush and visitors from throughout the region. We’ve made substantial investments in our parks as well, guided by our Parks Master Plan. Since the beginning of my administration, we’ve invested over $16 million into green spaces, including a new park on Highway 92, all to bring neighborhoods closer together and enhance the quality of life for our residents.
What steps is the city taking in education and workforce development?
We’re deeply committed to workforce development in Fairburn, and that starts with leading by example. As a Certified Public Manager through the University of Georgia, I’ve made it a priority to encourage all our managers to pursue continuing education and stay at the forefront of their fields. We’ve built strong partnerships with local organizations, such as Open Word Christian Ministries and the Fairburn Arts Council, to create hands-on youth programs that spark real career interest-like a mock radio station hosted with Fulton County’s Arts Department, which introduces students to the world of media and communications.
Our ties with institutions like Atlanta Metropolitan College, Georgia Military College, and Georgia State University are growing stronger each year. Education is personal for me. I hold an MBA and believe firmly in expanding opportunities for others. That belief is reflected in events like the Fairburn Fall Festival, where we not only showcase colleges but also create real pathways for students. Last year alone, two universities enrolled over 100 students directly from the event, offering a rare and valuable chance for local youth to access higher education without the barriers of distance or limited exposure.
How has Fairburn been able to secure major infrastructure funding and support?
Our progress in Fairburn has been the result of a deliberate and strategic approach. As a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and with representation on both national and state municipal boards, we’ve been able to build meaningful relationships that deliver real results for our community. A prime example of that is the $120 million infrastructure project funded through the Biden administration’s transportation bill, with additional support from Governor Brian Kemp. That level of investment didn’t happen by chance — it’s the product of hard work, skilled negotiation, and strong collaboration by our administrative staff, city engineer, and the ongoing relationships we’ve cultivated with key agencies like GDOT. Transportation funding is essential to any city’s growth, and we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure Fairburn isn’t just competing — we’re leading. In addition to infrastructure, we’ve made major strides in public safety by securing federal funds that allowed us to add eight new fire trucks in just 40 months, a rare and significant accomplishment for a city of our size.
Another significant achievement for Fairburn was finalizing a water infrastructure deal with Fayette County, a strategic move that ensures we have a reliable and diversified water supply as we continue to grow. With new businesses moving in and our population steadily increasing, securing consistent access to water has been absolutely essential. By reducing our sole dependence on the city of Atlanta’s system, we’ve created a more resilient infrastructure that positions us well for future development. This kind of forward-thinking planning is key to sustaining long-term growth and meeting the needs of both our residents and the business community.
What are your top priorities for the city over the next couple of years?
We have several major initiatives underway that are shaping the future of Fairburn. One of our top priorities is expanding our parks system. While we’ve already invested $16 million into Duncan Park, our flagship park, we’re now looking to take it even further by adding a multipurpose center and creating smaller pocket parks across our neighborhoods, like the one planned behind Oz Pizza on Highway 92. At the same time, we’re actively working to attract more sit-down restaurants and mixed-use developments, particularly at the gateway of Highway 138 and Highway 29, an area we see as primed for vibrant growth. An amphitheater is even being considered to boost the area’s cultural and economic appeal. Connectivity also remains a key focus. With traffic congestion rising throughout Metro Atlanta, we’ve made transportation a top priority by negotiating with MARTA to expand park-and-ride options and advocating for greater regional connectivity through the I-85 expansion. These improvements will strengthen our ties to surrounding communities like Fayette County and Peachtree City.
I also want to thank our City Council for fully embracing the vision we set forth 40 months ago when I returned. Together, we’ve invested millions into infrastructure — improving sidewalks, enhancing public safety, and making our city more beautiful and accessible for everyone. Public safety continues to be a cornerstone of our community, and it’s something we take great pride in.
Three years ago, Fairburn was ranked the 10th safest city in Georgia, a testament to the strong investments we’ve made in our police, fire, public works, and general services. Alongside safety, cleanliness is another key point of pride for us. Visitors frequently compliment us on how clean our city is, and much of that credit goes to our hardworking General Services department. A trip to Arizona, near Grand Canyon University, inspired me to bring a similar focus on beautification to Fairburn, which you can now see in our downtown area with large planters and thoughtful landscaping. Looking ahead, we’re preparing to break ground on what we expect to be the largest public safety complex in Metro Atlanta, located at the intersection of Highway 74 and the 29 overpass. This complex will further enhance our ability to serve and protect the community while providing a state-of-the-art facility for our first responders.
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