Reimagining Growth in a Small Town

Taylor J Smith, Economic Development Director, City of Thomaston

Taylor J. Smith is the Economic Development Director for the City of Thomaston, Georgia, where he leads downtown revitalization, housing development and business recruitment initiatives. Growing up in Thomaston, he now focuses on strategic growth, redevelopment, and community engagement to help guide the city’s economic future while preserving its small-town character.

A Personal Mission to Rebuild a Community

I grew up in Thomaston, Georgia, when it was still a thriving textile community. Our local economy, small businesses, and daily life all revolved around the mills. When the mills closed, everything changed. Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, our town of 10,000 people lost roughly 4,000 jobs. We lost our population, our small businesses, and, in many ways, lost our identity. Watching that decline as a child left a lasting impression on me and shaped the work I do today.

Like many people who grow up in small towns, I believed that if you wanted opportunity, you had to leave. I went away to school, earned a bachelor's degree in business and later a master's in public administration, and began working in neighborhood revitalization and housing development in Louisiana. But an opportunity brought me back to Thomaston as its first economic development coordinator. I took a chance to return home, and that decision has defined my career.

Today, as Economic Development Director, my work centers on redevelopment, housing, business recruitment and community engagement, with a focus on intentional, sustainable growth in Thomaston.

Preparing for Growth Before It Arrives

Thomaston is now at a turning point. We are located about an hour south of the Atlanta airport, and as the Atlanta region continues to grow, that growth is reaching communities like ours. Remote work has also changed how people choose where to live, and places like Thomaston are becoming attractive to people who want affordability and quality of life while still being connected to a major metro area.

“Working in a small-town means wearing many hats, but it also means having the opportunity to be involved in meaningful change.”

Growth is coming whether we plan for it or not. The real question is whether we grow strategically or react to growth after it happens. For us, that means focusing on redevelopment, reinvestment, and reimagining what this community can become, while protecting the small-town character that makes people want to live here in the first place.

Downtown as the Catalyst for Investment

Downtown redevelopment has been the catalyst for broader economic growth in Thomaston. Through the State of Georgia’s Rural Zone program, we have been able to offer tax credits for building acquisition, building rehabilitation, and job creation in our historic downtown. Since 2022, that program has helped generate nearly $40 million in public and private investment in downtown Thomaston. For a community of our size, that level of investment is transformative.

We also created a matching façade grant program to help property owners improve building exteriors, which has supported dozens of projects and encouraged further private investment.

Private investment made it easier for the city to move forward with public projects as well. The city is now completing construction on the Thomaston Exchange, a new downtown gathering space that includes a covered pavilion, restrooms, parking, EV charging stations and space for community events. We are also investing in pedestrian safety and streetscape improvements around our courthouse square, where thousands of cars pass through each day. These projects help create an environment where businesses and community life can grow together.

Supporting Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

Attracting new businesses, while supporting local entrepreneurs, requires flexibility, partnerships, and access to resources. We have worked to reduce barriers for small businesses by offering incentives, connecting entrepreneurs with financing programs, and providing access to technical assistance through organizations like the UGA Small Business Development Center.

In a small community, relationships matter. Business owners can call me directly, and we work through challenges together. That accessibility can make a significant difference when someone is deciding where to invest. In small towns, access to decision-makers can be a competitive advantage, and our role in local government is not just to regulate development but to help make it possible.

Housing Growth That Fits the Community

Housing is one of the most important parts of our long-term growth strategy. Rather than focusing primarily on expanding outward, much of our effort has gone into infill development, rebuilding areas where homes and businesses once stood. This approach allows us to use existing infrastructure while strengthening established neighborhoods.

We are currently working on a workforce housing development near downtown that will provide attainable homeownership opportunities at low price points. At the same time, we created a zoning overlay in one of our historic mill villages that allows new homes to be built using updated versions of original mill house designs from the 1920s and 1930s. This approach allows us to add new housing while preserving the architectural character, history, and identity of the neighborhood. Intentional development allows growth while preserving identity.

Revitalization Through Community Engagement

Community engagement is essential in all of this work. Growth and redevelopment cannot happen in a way that pushes out the people who already live here.

In East Thomaston, an area that faces significant economic challenges today, we are working with universities and planning organizations to develop a long-term redevelopment strategy shaped by residents, property owners, and local stakeholders.

One of the catalyst projects in that area is the redevelopment of a historic school into senior housing, representing a major investment and a starting point for broader revitalization efforts. The goal is to create opportunities while ensuring existing residents remain part of the community’s future.

Advice for Future Small Town Leaders

Working in a small-town means wearing many hats, but it also means having the opportunity to be involved in meaningful change.

In larger cities, you may be responsible for one piece of a much larger system. In a small community, you can see how housing, business development, infrastructure and community engagement all connect. That visibility allows leaders to connect departments, solve problems, and move projects forward more quickly.

If there is one lesson I have learned through this work, it is that opportunities often come from simply being willing to start a conversation. Whether it is reaching out to a potential business, connecting with a developer or contacting someone whose work you admire, progress often begins with a simple introduction.

My advice to others in this field is straightforward: shoot your shot. Reach out, ask questions, and build relationships. You never know which conversation will lead to the next opportunity.

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