Reviving Tallapoosa: Facing Challenges and Building Our Future (The Bigger Picture)

Tallapoosa is a proud community with a rich history, but like many small cities, we face modern challenges. From empty downtown storefronts and limited housing options to concerns about crime, drug abuse, and local jobs, these issues impact our daily lives. This blog post is not a magic fix for everything – instead, it’s a starting point for a community conversation. Each idea shared here is one piece of a larger vision for bringing Tallapoosa back to where it needs to be. Let’s talk about the challenges we face, how they affect our neighbors, and some potential solutions we can pursue together.

Empty Downtown Storefronts and Revitalization for Tallapoosa

Downtown Tallapoosa should be the heart of our city – a place bustling with shops, restaurants, and community life. Right now, too many buildings downtown sit vacant, creating gaps on our main streets. In fact, filling these vacant buildings is a top priority for Tallapoosa according to the city’s own revitalization plans ([PDF] DOWNTOWN TALLAPOOSA). When storefronts are empty, we lose business opportunities, foot traffic, and a bit of our city’s soul. It’s hard to enjoy a stroll downtown when windows are dark and “For Rent” signs linger.

The good news is our community recognizes this problem and is taking initial steps. The City’s Downtown Development Authority has been actively working to secure occupants for vacant buildings (City of Tallapoosa Year in Review 2022 - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia), and a Downtown Master Plan was created in early 2025 to reimagine an active, vibrant downtown core (Downtown Tallapoosa Master Plan - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia). We even had a special “Meet Me Downtown Tallapoosa” week in August 2024 to showcase local businesses and draw visitors ("Meet Me Downtown Tallapoosa" Campaign - Tallapoosaga.gov). These efforts spark interest, but we need to keep up the momentum.

How do empty buildings affect our community? They don’t just hurt the city’s image – they hit our economy. Fewer downtown businesses mean fewer local jobs and less tax revenue for services. It can also dampen community pride. Longtime residents remember when downtown was livelier, and seeing it underutilized is frustrating.

Potential solutions to revitalize downtown include:

• Incentivizing Renovation and Investment: Work with property owners to renovate historic buildings and encourage them to lease or sell long-vacant spaces. This could include tax breaks or grants for fixing up old storefronts, making it easier for new businesses to move in.

• Supporting Local Entrepreneurs: Launch programs to help local folks start small businesses – from pop-up shops to cafes – that give residents and visitors more reasons to come downtown.

• Community Events and Marketing: Continue organizing events (like “Meet Me Downtown”) and seasonal markets, and promote downtown as a destination. More foot traffic can attract potential investors and show that Tallapoosa is eager for growth.

• Downtown Development Coordinator: The city has even advertised a position for a Downtown Development Coordinator (Job Opportunities and Bids - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia), which shows a commitment to actively recruiting and retaining businesses downtown.

  
  

By taking these steps, we can fill those empty windows with thriving shops and eateries. A vibrant downtown not only boosts our economy but also creates a gathering place for all of us – something every great small town needs.

The Affordable Housing Crunch

Another major challenge is the lack of affordable housing options in Tallapoosa. Ask any young family looking to rent or senior on a fixed income – finding a decent, affordable place to live here isn’t easy. According to housing resources, the Tallapoosa Housing Authority manages 211 apartments for low-income families (Tallapoosa Housing Authority - Rise4Me™, LLC), and most of those units stay full. As of March 2025, there was only one subsidized housing unit available in the entire city (and only five across all of Haralson County) (Haralson County Hud Housing | Hud Housing Network) (Haralson County Hud Housing | Hud Housing Network). In other words, demand far exceeds supply.

What does this mean for our community? When affordable homes are scarce, it can lead to several problems:

• Young people who grew up here might not be able to find a place of their own and could move away.

• Essential workers – teachers, police officers, service industry employees – may have to live in other towns and commute, taking their spending power elsewhere.

• Families end up in substandard housing or paying more than they can afford, causing financial stress.

• Vacant or dilapidated houses (the ones that are empty) can become eyesores or safety hazards if not maintained.

  
  

Affordable doesn’t mean low-quality; it means a home that someone earning a local paycheck can comfortably pay for. We want Tallapoosa to be a place where everyone – from young families to retirees – can find a home without breaking the bank.

Possible solutions to expand housing options:

• Encourage New Housing Development: Work with developers to build mixed-income housing, including affordable apartments and smaller single-family homes. By updating zoning and offering incentives, the city can encourage development of unused land or the renovation of older properties into modern housing.

• Utilize Upstairs Downtown Space: Our zoning already envisions upstairs loft apartments in downtown buildings (Chapter 98 - TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES | Tallapoosa, GA). Pushing for those empty second floors to become apartments could create new housing and bring more people to live downtown, supporting local businesses.

• Support the Housing Authority: Ensure the Tallapoosa Housing Authority has the resources to maintain and possibly expand its properties. This could mean seeking state or federal grants to add more units or vouchers, so more families can get assistance.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Partner with nonprofits and churches on initiatives like Habitat for Humanity or community land trusts that build affordable homes. Local organizations can be powerful allies in addressing housing needs.

  
  

By tackling the housing crunch, we help stabilize families and allow more people to call Tallapoosa home. A variety of housing options – from rentals to starter homes – will make our city more welcoming and economically resilient.

Crime and Community Safety

Safety is the bedrock of any community. In Tallapoosa, we take pride in being a place where neighbors look out for each other. Overall, violent crime here is quite low – recent data showed our violent crime rate was far below the national average (Tallapoosa, GA Crime Rates: Stats & Map). However, like many communities, we do face issues with property crimes like theft and burglary. In fact, Tallapoosa’s property crime rate has been estimated at about 21.9% higher than the U.S. average (Tallapoosa, GA Crime Rates: Stats & Map). That means things like home break-ins, car thefts, and shoplifting are a real concern that can’t be ignored.

How does crime affect Tallapoosa? Even if our town is relatively safe from violent incidents, any crime can erode our quality of life. A rash of burglaries can make residents feel uneasy in their own homes. Theft can hurt small businesses’ bottom lines. And underlying issues – such as drug abuse (more on that shortly) – often fuel these property crimes. We’ve been fortunate to not have frequent violent crime, and we want to keep it that way while also reducing the nuisance crimes that do occur.

Our police department has been working hard; they responded to over 6,300 calls in 2022 alone (City of Tallapoosa Year in Review 2022 - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia). The city even invested in a new police headquarters and vehicles using special funds (City of Tallapoosa Year in Review 2022 - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia) to ensure our officers are well-equipped. Maintaining a strong, community-oriented police presence is key to deterring crime. But police can’t be everywhere, and safety is truly a community effort.

Strategies for crime prevention and a safer community:

• Neighborhood Watch & Community Policing: Let’s strengthen neighborhood watch programs and encourage residents to report suspicious activity. When neighbors and police communicate, criminals think twice. More community policing – officers walking or biking in downtown and neighborhoods – can also build trust and visibility.

• Better Lighting and Cameras: Work on improving street lighting in dim areas and support local businesses in installing security cameras. Simple environmental changes (trimming overgrown lots, fixing broken lights) make it harder for crime to hide.

• Youth Engagement: Invest in youth programs (sports leagues, after-school activities, mentoring) that keep our young people active and out of trouble. Engaged kids are less likely to get involved in vandalism or petty crime. Plus, these programs build positive relationships between our youth and the community.

• Collaboration with Sheriff’s Office: Tallapoosa is part of Haralson County, so we should continue collaborating with the County Sheriff and neighboring city agencies. Joint task forces (as we’ve seen with drug enforcement) can help tackle issues that cross city limits.

• Transparency and Accountability: Our police should continue being transparent with crime stats and open in communication (which builds public confidence). As citizens, staying informed lets us know where problems are arising so we can address root causes.

  
  

By proactively working on these fronts, we can make a safe town even safer. Feeling secure in your home, on your street, and in our parks is essential for Tallapoosa’s livability. Let’s make sure “small-town safety” remains part of our identity.

Substance Abuse: Breaking the Cycle

Behind many crime statistics and struggling families is a quieter crisis: substance abuse. Tallapoosa is not immune to the scourge of drugs that has hit communities across America. We’ve seen the impact of the opioid epidemic and methamphetamine trafficking right here in our area. In March 2025, for example, a major bust in Haralson County seized over four pounds of meth and other drugs and led to multiple arrests (3 Rockmart residents arrested for trafficking meth, sheriff's office says | FOX 5 Atlanta). Our Sheriff made it clear that law enforcement will “hunt down, arrest, and prosecute anyone that brings drugs into Haralson County” (3 Rockmart residents arrested for trafficking meth, sheriff's office says | FOX 5 Atlanta). This strong stance is reassuring – drug dealers are not welcome to prey on our community.

However, we can’t simply arrest our way out of a drug problem. For every dealer taken down, there are community members – our friends, neighbors, even family – who are struggling with addiction. These are people who need help breaking free from substance abuse disorder. If we ignore the issue, we’ll continue to face overdose tragedies, drug-related crimes, and families torn apart. (One recent case in our county even saw a dealer charged with murder after someone died from meth she sold (Carrollton Woman Charged With Murder; Accused of Providing Drugs That Led To Death in Haralson County – Gradick Communications), showing how deadly this crisis can be.)

How does substance abuse affect Tallapoosa? It’s often beneath the surface, but the effects are widespread. Addiction can lead to job loss, which ties into poverty and crime. Children can suffer neglect if parents are battling drugs. And the overall health of the community declines with every overdose or untreated addiction. Moreover, substance abuse and mental health often go hand in hand – we need to be prepared to address both.

Approaches to tackle substance abuse and help our neighbors:

• Improve Access to Treatment: We must support and promote resources for those seeking help. This means collaborating with regional services like Highland Rivers Behavioral Health (which serves Haralson County) (Highland Rivers Behavioral Health at Haralson), and advocating for more accessible rehab programs. Whether it’s outpatient counseling or inpatient detox, when someone decides to get help, there should be a place to turn immediately.

• Support Local Recovery Programs: Encourage and partner with local churches and nonprofits running support groups (like Celebrate Recovery or AA/NA meetings) ([PDF] Haralson-County-Resource-List.pdf - West Georgia Technical College). A strong peer support network can make a huge difference for individuals in recovery. Our campaign would look to provide city facilities or small grants for such programs if needed.

• Education & Prevention: Work with schools and community centers to educate youth about the dangers of opioids, meth, and alcohol abuse before they ever start. Prevention programs, when done right, can steer kids away from drugs and toward healthier coping choices.

• Law Enforcement Focus: Continue the pressure on those who peddle dangerous drugs. The joint task forces and tip lines are great tools – let’s make sure our police and deputies have the support to keep drugs off our streets (3 Rockmart residents arrested for trafficking meth, sheriff's office says | FOX 5 Atlanta). At the same time, training first responders with overdose-reversal drugs like Naloxone and having protocols to guide addicts into treatment rather than jail for minor offenses can save lives and futures.

• Community Outreach: Sometimes simply showing compassion and reducing stigma can encourage someone to seek help. Community forums on the drug issue, resource fairs for addiction services, or even a city task force on opioid response can raise awareness that addiction is a disease that we treat, not a moral failing to hide.

  
  

By breaking the silence around substance abuse, we start breaking the cycle. Tallapoosa is a caring community; if we come together to support those in recovery and hold dealers accountable, we can curb this crisis. It won’t happen overnight, but every success story – every person reclaimed from addiction – makes our town stronger.

Local Jobs and Economic Opportunity

One of the best ways to revitalize Tallapoosa and reduce problems like poverty and crime is to boost local job opportunities. For years, a common story here has been people having to commute out of town (even out of state) for work. Nearly 80% of Haralson County’s workforce leaves the county each day for their jobs (Haralson County GA – Page 12) – many driving on I-20 to Birmingham or Atlanta and beyond. That’s a huge number of our residents spending hours on the road, missing family dinners and school events, and spending their paychecks in other cities. While we’ve managed to bring that percentage down a bit (from 80% to 78% by recent counts) (Haralson County GA – Page 12), we clearly need more good jobs right here in Tallapoosa.

The lack of local jobs also ties back to our downtown vacancies and housing issues. If we create more employment in town, more people will want to live here, and more businesses will thrive to serve them. It’s a positive cycle: jobs attract residents, who then support more businesses, which create more jobs. Right now, we need to kickstart that cycle.

How are jobs and the economy affecting us today? With so many commuting, local businesses struggle during weekdays due to a smaller daytime population. Families feel the strain as breadwinners drive long distances (both in gas costs and personal stress). And when jobs are limited, young adults might leave Tallapoosa in search of work elsewhere, contributing to brain drain. Our official unemployment rate might be low, but that doesn’t tell the full story if people can’t find the right jobs locally – jobs that pay well and offer careers.

Ideas for boosting jobs and economic growth in Tallapoosa:

• Attract New Employers: We are strategically located at the base of the ABC Triangle (Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga) (City of Tallapoosa, Georgia - USA - The Dogwood City), which is a selling point. The city can work closely with the Haralson County Industrial Development Authority and regional partners to market our industrial park and available sites to manufacturers and businesses. The goal is to bring in high-paying jobs so folks can work “ten minutes from home” instead of an hour (Haralson County GA – Page 13). We should focus on industries that fit our workforce and offer stable employment.

• Grow Small Businesses: Small businesses are the backbone of small towns. Let’s make Tallapoosa a friendly place to start or expand a business. This could mean simplifying permit processes, offering local tax incentives for startups, or creating a small business incubator space. Retaining and growing the businesses we have is just as important as recruiting new ones (Downtown Development Coordinator - Tallapoosa, GA 30176 - Indeed).

• Workforce Development: A promising development is that West Georgia Technical College is expanding training programs nearby, including new welding booths, truck driving courses, and utility lineman training (Haralson County GA – Page 12). This is huge for equipping our residents with skills needed for better jobs. Our campaign supports further partnerships with technical colleges and trade schools. Perhaps we can even establish a training center in Tallapoosa for certain trades. When companies see a skilled workforce being developed, they’re more likely to set up shop here.

• Infrastructure and Connectivity: Ensure we have the infrastructure to support business growth. That means good roads (which the city has been paving (City of Tallapoosa Year in Review 2022 - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia)), reliable utilities, and modern internet access. High-speed internet in all parts of Tallapoosa can enable remote work and tech startups, allowing people to live here and telecommute or start online businesses.

• Local Job Fairs and Networking: Sponsor regular job fairs that connect local employers with local job seekers. Even if a company is based in the next county, if they’re hiring, let’s help our residents access those opportunities without having to scour far and wide. Meanwhile, encourage any local openings (city jobs, school jobs, etc.) to be well-publicized to keep talent here.

  
  

By focusing on these strategies, we aim to create a Tallapoosa where commuting is a choice, not a necessity. Imagine more of our residents working in-town, contributing to the local economy, and being home in time to coach Little League or attend community events. That’s the future we want – and it’s achievable with the right vision and effort.

Sparking Community Conversations

The issues we’ve discussed – downtown revitalization, housing, crime, drugs, and jobs – are big and complex. No single blog post (or single person) has all the answers. But by talking about these challenges openly, we can start to piece together solutions as a community. That’s where blogs and social media posts come in. They aren’t just idle chatter; they’re conversation starters.

Think of this post as an invitation to every Tallapoosa resident: what are your thoughts and ideas? When we share perspectives online or at the local coffee shop, we spark conversations that can lead to action. Maybe a Facebook discussion on downtown gets a local entrepreneur thinking, “I could open that bakery I’ve dreamed of.” Or a blog comment about neighborhood watch inspires a few more people to attend the next meeting. Small ideas snowball into bigger initiatives.

It’s important to acknowledge that talk alone doesn’t fix things. We can write 100 posts about empty buildings or hold countless forums on crime, but if nothing is done, nothing improves. However, conversation is a critical first step toward any change. By hashing out issues publicly, we build consensus on what needs to be done and find common ground across different viewpoints. Each social post, each blog, each comment is like a single thread – and when we weave them together, we get a stronger fabric of community engagement.

In Tallapoosa’s journey to renewal, every resident’s voice matters. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or only a few years, your insights and experiences can contribute to the bigger picture. Maybe you have an idea for a youth program that would keep kids busy after school, or you know a successful shop owner in another town and can share what worked for them. By engaging in respectful dialogue, we not only come up with solutions but also show that we care – and caring is contagious.

So let’s keep the conversation going. Share this post with your neighbors. Ask them what they think. The more people talking about how to improve Tallapoosa, the more energy and support we build to actually improve Tallapoosa. Community conversation is the spark that lights the fire of change.

Our Vision and the Path Forward: Why Your Voice (and Vote) Matters

As a mayoral candidate, I’m passionate about addressing these challenges with real plans – but I can’t do it alone. Our campaign has a vision for tackling downtown vacancies, housing needs, crime, substance abuse, and job growth head-on, informed by the ideas we’ve discussed above.

Here’s a quick recap of our plan for Tallapoosa’s future:

• Downtown Revival: Implement the Downtown Master Plan with urgency. Form public-private partnerships to renovate vacant buildings and fill them with businesses. Launch a “Open for Business” initiative that recruits entrepreneurs and perhaps offers temporary rent assistance or tax abatements for the first year to reduce the risk of starting up. We will make downtown a destination again – a vibrant place to shop, dine, and gather (Downtown Tallapoosa Master Plan - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia).

• Housing for All: Work closely with the Housing Authority and developers to increase the stock of affordable housing. This includes pursuing grants for housing development and encouraging projects that mix affordable units into new developments. We’ll also enforce fair housing rules and keep rental housing safe and up to code so that everyone has a decent place to live (Tallapoosa Housing Authority - Rise4Me™, LLC) (Haralson County Hud Housing | Hud Housing Network).

• Safe Streets and Supported Police: Expand community policing programs and ensure our police have resources for training and equipment (continuing what’s been started with new facilities (City of Tallapoosa Year in Review 2022 - City Of Tallapoosa, Georgia)). At the same time, create a city task force that brings police, community leaders, and residents together to problem-solve specific hotspots for crime or traffic safety. The emphasis will be on preventive measures – stopping crime before it happens through visibility, youth engagement, and addressing blight that can attract trouble.

• Fighting Substance Abuse on Two Fronts: Support law enforcement in shutting down drug suppliers and support public health approaches for treatment. Our plan includes advocating for a local outpatient rehab center or satellite clinic in Haralson County (so residents don’t have to drive far for help), and coordinating with state programs to get funding for addiction services. We’ll also start an annual “Hope for Healing” town hall on substance abuse to keep this issue in focus, reduce stigma, and measure progress in getting people into recovery. When the Sheriff says “we will not stop” going after drug dealers (3 Rockmart residents arrested for trafficking meth, sheriff's office says | FOX 5 Atlanta), I fully agree – and I’d add we will not stop trying to save lives from addiction either.

• Economic Development and Jobs: Take an aggressive but smart approach to economic development. That means fully leveraging our industrial park – let’s fill it with employers so those 78% of commuters can work locally (Haralson County GA – Page 12). I will work to identify target industries and personally reach out to companies, showing them what Tallapoosa has to offer. We’ll coordinate with the county to ensure infrastructure (water, power, broadband) is ready for growth. And we’ll champion programs at West Georgia Tech and beyond, so our workforce skills align with the jobs we’re trying to attract (Haralson County GA – Page 12). Additionally, support for small businesses will be a cornerstone; we want our homegrown businesses to flourish and create jobs too.

  
  

These initiatives are part of a comprehensive vision to bring Tallapoosa back to a thriving, prosperous city while keeping our friendly small-town character. Achieving this vision will take hard work, tough decisions, and strong leadership guided by the community’s input. That’s where informed voting comes in.

Every election is a chance for citizens to choose the direction of their city. This year, the stakes feel especially high for Tallapoosa. We’re at a crossroads: we can either tackle these challenges with energy and purpose, or let them continue to hold us back. I urge all residents to get informed on the issues and each candidate’s plans – ask questions, attend forums, and yes, read blog posts like this to understand what’s at stake.

When you cast your vote, you’re not just picking a name – you’re choosing the ideas and values that will steer Tallapoosa’s future. Informed voting is crucial because our city needs leaders who recognize problems and have actionable solutions. Whether it’s in this mayoral race or city council elections, your vote can empower those who will work tirelessly to make Tallapoosa better. It’s how you hold us candidates accountable to follow through on our promises.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that this blog is just the beginning of a longer discussion. I welcome your feedback, your criticisms, and your own suggestions for solutions. Let’s keep this conversation going in the weeks and months ahead. Together, as neighbors and stakeholders, we can shape a brighter future for Tallapoosa.

Have thoughts on the issues discussed? Please share your comments or reach out directly. By speaking up and voting smart, the people of Tallapoosa can ensure our beloved city reaches its full potential. No single post or person will solve everything overnight, but united in a common vision, there’s nothing we can’t overcome. Here’s to sparking change – one conversation, and one vote, at a time.

"Your voice is the spark – let’s ignite Tallapoosa’s renewal together."

Joe Glass - The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused growth.