Bright future ahead St. Clair economy continues to grow

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades … Those lyrics from an old 1980s rock song could well be the theme for St. Clair County’s economic movers and shakers. Fiscal 2023 is beginning to shape up as another banner year – like the one before it.

The 2022 numbers tell the story – 675 new jobs, $400 million invested and $20 million in new wages announced in 20 projects that were announced, broke ground, or opened in 2022. The county saw an economic upswing across the board, from housing to manufacturing, retail sales to tourism, new business to expansion of existing industry.

According to Don Smith, executive director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council, there’s reason for optimism. “We’re excited about the prospects that we have in the pipeline for 2023. A lot of the projects announced last year and even the year before will be coming on line this year,” said Smith. “We saw the number of projects at one of its highest levels in 2022 and this is carrying into 2023.”

For Pell City, new retail is coming to town. Smith says, “The groundbreaking we had for the big shopping center, Pell City Square, was actually expected in 2019. It was put on hold for a while because of the pandemic but now it’s moving forward.”

The shopping center, to be completed this year, will include Hobby Lobby, PetSmart, Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, Five Below, Rack Room Shoes and others.

St. Clair’s menu for success also includes white tablecloth, fine dining with all the frills. According to Smith, The St. Clair and Tavern at The St. Clair, should be opening the beginning of 2023. “It’s something different. There’s nothing else like it here at all. It will be a place where you can celebrate special occasions and where you could also entertain guests. It just opens up all sorts of possibilities.”

Because of Pell City Square, “other eateries, shops and hotels are expected things that may be in our local market,” he said.

Smith said the largest revenue generator among all the new projects will be that new retail center. “A big number will be generated off that each year in sales tax.”

The largest potential job creator of all new projects is the Kelly Creek Commerce Park in Moody. “It’s a New Year’s present for the county,” Smith said. “The