I can do to help bring that along.”
Despite the uncertainty, Harrison said the city is already preparing for recovery.
“ I’ m not just sitting around waiting,” he said.“ I’ ve already called for grants, I’ ve called some people that know more than me that can possibly help me along the way too.”
Economic development remains another focus, with an emphasis on supporting both existing businesses and potential new ones.
“ Anybody that starts a business here, I work with them personally to help,” Harrison said.“ If there’ s something that I can do legally that will help them economically or financially
Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison
to get the business in the town, I try to do it.”
Community events will
| Photo by Macee Swafford
continue to play a major role in Williamsburg’ s identity, though the city plans to refine its approach. Harrison said the city plans to host fewer events this year, a move intended to concentrate resources on enhancing and expanding its annual events to make them bigger and better.
“ But we’ ll make the ones we do bigger and better, and market them better,” said Harrison.
Looking ahead, Harrison said the city’ s focus is on continuing to move forward while preserving what makes Williamsburg feel like home.
“ If your town stands still, nobody looks at you,” he said.“ We’ re gonna keep pushing to do something, bring something new, bring something exciting— but we’ re gonna keep that‘ feels like home’ feeling.”
A January fire severely damaged multiple buildings on the 200 block of Main Street, but the city is dedicated to helping rebuild. l File photo by Carrie Mattingly
Page 16 The Times-Tribune • Community Guide 2026