Williamston Realizing Goal of Steady, Planne Growth

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

In Historic Williamston, the year 2025 has unfolded like a slow, steady river, carrying with it the promise of renewal and progress. Mayor Rockey Burgess, a man whose roots run almost as deep as the town’s oldest oaks, has guided Williamston through a season of transformation, where each project and decision has been a quiet but deliberate step toward a more resilient future.

In his year-in-review interview with The Anderson Observer, Burgess speaks of the town’s progress not in the language of statistics or grand announcements, but in the measured cadence of someone who has watched Williamston grow from a place of modest means to a community with its own rhythm and identity. The year began with a renewed commitment to infrastructure, as Williamston repaired aging roads and upgraded its water and sewer systems, investments that may go unnoticed by the casual observer but are as vital.

Burgess also points to the expansion of recreational opportunities, from the many park upgrades to the expanding of trails and green spaces that invite residents to reconnect with the natural world. These spaces, he says, are not just amenities but anchors of community life, places where neighbors gather and children play, where the town’s spirit is most palpable.

New businesses also joined the town in 2025, and Williamston is still in line to receive a new Ingle’s grocery store.

The mayor’s vision for Williamston is one of quiet momentum, where progress is measured not by headlines but by the steady improvement of daily life. As the year draws to a close, he reflects on the town’s journey with a sense of gratitude and cautious optimism, knowing that the work of building a community is never truly finished, but always worth the effort.