Vince Williams, Mayor, Union City

In an interview with Focus:, Vince Williams, mayor of Union City, discussed the major developments happening in the city. From building new housing to opportunities in the hospitality industry, Union City is preparing for a growing population. “We have done a great job laying the foundation of growth and stability in the city,” Williams said. 

What recent changes have most impacted Union City?

The political climate has changed a great deal, including people’s concern around many issues. In Union City, we have been focusing on what we do to provide for our community, our residents, and our businesses. We offer a sense of calm to those who are worried about what’s happening in Washington. Our economic climate, however, has really been amazing. We just passed our budget, and we are still looking strong financially, showcasing our ability to provide the public services the people deserve. Furthermore, criminal activity is decreasing in Union City, with our support for the police and fire department. 

A major focus in the city is additional housing, as well as the parks and recreation system, which is a quality of life issue a lot of people don’t focus on. We recently cut the ribbon on our very first Veterans Park, and there are two more parks that will open before the end of 2025. We’ll also have a trail system which connects to other cities’ trails. We just opened three luxury apartment complexes, and they are filling up fast. There were concerns over affordability, but we must have a mix of housing opportunities to cater to the people moving here. We were named Georgia’s fastest growing city in 2023, and the nation’s fourth-fastest growing suburb in the nation. We are now approaching a population of over 30,000 people, and with the jobs we’ve created here, people are ready to buy homes.

Another major impact, not only to the city, but also to the region, is the partnership we have with Grady Health System. Its top trauma hospital will open a facility here in 2026, providing access to quality healthcare on the south side. It has been a challenge in getting equitable access to quality healthcare, but we have joined forces with our county colleagues, the board of commissioners, and the state governor to make this a reality. The completed hospital will include an emergency department equipped with a helipad, pediatrics department, senior care, and family medicine.

We will also focus on economic development over the next few years, especially in the hospitality sector, to support small business owners. We’re excited about the growth here, and we make sure the people are taken care of.

How would the revitalization efforts support new investment and current residents?

We’re focused on our seniors. There are housing developments called active living communities catering solely for 55 year olds and above. Our senior homeowners who are 65 years old and above do not have to pay property taxes. As they’ve paid taxes all their lives, we want to free up some expenses for them and enjoy a vibrant quality of life in their golden years.

As the economy continues to strengthen, we’re focused on driving support to our small business community. There is no city that can thrive without small business owners, and there are a lot of opportunities here. During COVID, we built the budget to help those businesses, especially because we lost some of them. We certainly have partners who employ a lot of folks, like Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Walmart, and they support our community.

Which industries are you attracting for the next phase of Union City’s economic growth?

One of those areas will be the hospitality industry. Many of the hotels have been here for 25 to 30 years. We want to attract new hotels to Union City because there are a lot of people who want to come here. The FIFA World Cup will be in Atlanta in 2026, so restaurants, hotels, and retail are vital, not only for FIFA, but also for the future of Union City. We have done a great job laying the foundation of growth and stability in the city. Now, it’s time to focus on other elements that community members want to see. We want those amenities, like nice restaurants and retail stores, right here in our city. We have over $470 million cycle through our city, but a lot of that leaves because we don’t have the places to spend the money.

We will also focus on the huge entertainment opportunity here. We’re not trying to do what they do in Miami, or Las Vegas, but we need to have some venues that offer entertainment for children and families. We want different opportunities opening up to our community, where people can have a good time and enjoy a nice meal. 

How is the city preparing its infrastructure and workforce to support new opportunities?

Much of the workforce is aging, so we’ve put together a workforce development task force. Working with many of our education and business partners, we help people to focus their development with new technology coming to Union City and other parts of the region. AI is here, and it continues to grow. We have to prepare people to take on job opportunities at data centers as there’s a huge need. They support our cloud systems, which allows us to conduct business and exchange ideas. We want to engage the young people and make sure they have the opportunity to participate in jobs they are interested in.

How do you collaborate across the region with local elected leaders to align around shared goals?

Union City is in Fulton County, not only the largest county in the state, but also one of the largest counties in the country. As a member of the board of directors with the Atlanta Regional Commission, I work with many around the metro area on many projects, including infrastructure that supports Fulton County and beyond. Infrastructure is key to building new economic development opportunities in our communities. I’m also a board member of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, and we work closely to support what’s happening around the airports. Union City is an airport city, and that’s how we market ourselves because we are at the front door of the airport. 

I am also a member of many other organizations where it is important to collaborate and exchange ideas, as well as learn from your colleagues. They may have experiences and ideas on something we’re working on, which could make it simpler to navigate and execute.

What are your key priorities for Union City in the next few years?

For the next few years, the focus will certainly be on that element of hospitality in Union City, and making sure public safety is at the top of everything we do. We have a new fire station coming in early 2026. That is vital because of the growth we’ve experienced. We’re going to be renovating a lot of our public spaces. There is also a brand new sports complex that our families and children love. There will be a lot of focus on creating spaces and places where people can get outdoors and enjoy life.

Our housing stock will also be a key priority, and one of the biggest things near and dear to my heart is working on the issue around homelessness. That is a difficult task for anyone. If we collectively put our arms around this, it is something we can successfully make a dent in. We can build a system that will help a lot of people. A group of us went to Tampa to look at a model called Tampa Hope, which supports their homeless population with micro homes and wraparound services. That’s something we have to truly collaborate on for our people in metro Atlanta and beyond.