Shelby County Economic Development by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA Economic Development Edition

2013-2015

SUCCESS STORIES QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES KEEP LOCAL BUSINESS COMPETITIVE

BUSINESS FIRST ASSISTING BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES

CULTURE OF CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION TIMELY DELIVERY OF SERVICES

PICTURED: SHOAL CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, HOME OF A CHAMPIONS TOUR TOURNAMENT AND PREVIOUS PGA EVENTS; ONE OF 11 PRIVATE OR PUBLIC GOLF COURSES IN SHELBY COUNTY

Located in the Center of Alabama DiscoverShelby.com

ProdUCtioN Daniel Holmes Jamie Sparacino Amy Baldis Jon Goering

H S HEL B

CHAM

Editorial Katie McDowell Amy Jones Neal Wagner Drew Granthum Stephanie Brumfield

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDITION 2013

R O COM F

MarkEtiNg Alan Brown Jill Harvell Thomas LaBoone Nicole Loggins Kim McCulla Meagan Mims Rhett McCreight Mary Strehle Kari Yoder adMiNiStratioN Tim Prince Jan Griffey Mary Jo Eskridge Annie McGilvray Hailey Dolbare Christine Roberts

The Economic Development Guide is published every other year by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. The magazine is published in August and available every other year. Additional copies may be purchased by calling the SCNI office at 205-669-3131, or by emailing circulation@ shelbycountyreporter.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Please email advertise@shelbycountyreporter. com for advertising inquiries.

CLOCkWIsE frOM LEft: Oak Mountain state Park. Lay Lake. regions tradition at shoal Creek golf and Country Club.

CONTENTS

WELCOME frOM ALEx DuDChOCk .......... 5

EbsCO InDustrIEs .................................. 32

IntrODuCtIOn .......................................... 6

LODgIng .................................................. 35

CIty PrOfILEs ............................................ 8

trAnsPOrtAtIOn .................................... 36

A CuLturE Of COLLAbOrAtIOn ............. 14

EDuCAtIOn .............................................. 38

A PLACE fOr busInEss ........................... 17

shELby COunty sChOOLs .................... 41

ChAMbErs Of COMMErCE ..................... 18

AttrACtIOns ........................................... 49

sCEIDA ...................................................... 20

QuALIty Of LIfE ...................................... 50

CIty DEvELOPMEnt bOArDs .................. 21

hEALth CArE ........................................... 52

busInEss PArks ...................................... 22

AMErICAn vILLAgE ................................. 54

EntEC sErvICEs ...................................... 26

OAk MOuntAIn stAtE PArk .................. 56

sungArD ................................................. 28

EvEnts ..................................................... 58

btC ........................................................... 30

PArks ....................................................... 60

elcome to our County. It has been my pleasure to have worked for Shelby County for more than two decades. During this time we have achieved many milestones because of the tireless dedication of many public employees and strategic partnering on specific projects with others, thus allowing us to accomplish timely, major public facilities and infrastructure projects that typically take longer to achieve. Historically, the County management team and Shelby County Commission work diligently together to bring different ideas and thoughts to the table and come out with a mission critical approach. We are able to achieve timely delivery of projects and services for the entire 808 square miles of the County, many times without any debt. Consistent leadership, transparent collaborations and a pay-as-you-go approach allow us to accomplish astounding results for County residents and visitors.

Alex Dudchock, County Manager

Shelby County Capital Projects, Services and Partnerships Selected Highlights

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Courthouse North Addition (3 Story Addition) County Services Building Merger of Shelby County Hospital/Shelby Medical Center with Baptist Health System Created the Shelby County Community Health Foundation(Major Health Related Funding Entity) Creation of SCEIDA & Shelby West Corporate Park Airport Runway & Taxiway Extension, Renovated Terminal, 24 Hour Fueling Station, 72 General Aviation Hangars and 3 Jet/Business Hangars to Accomodate 15 Corporate Aircraft Regional Juvenile Detention Facility Columbiana and Pelham License Offices & State Troopers Testing Suite Inverness License Office Department of Human Resources Building Sheriff’s Office/Operations Center and Adult Jail Community Corrections Residential Facility & Drug Testing Center Animal Services Building Sheriff’s Office Firing Range & Training Center Complex New EPA/ADEM Sub-Title D Landfill (MSW and C/D Cells) Fire & Emergency Medical Training Complex (5 Story Fire Training Tower) South Water Treatment Plant (16MGD) and 20 Miles of Transmission Lines Community Storm Shelters – 4 built with 10 pending Individual Storm Shelters – 211 approved and 25 pending Construction and Improvements to Senior Community Centers - 13 21 Parks and 5 Trail and/or Greenway Projects Infrastructure & Facility Improvements at Oak Mountain State Park Major Projects and Assistance at The American Village National Computer Forensic Institute Construction and Improvements at the University of Montevallo Quality of Life Grants (FY03-09; 92 Projects = $530K County funds, leveraging $1.1M) Park & Recreation Grants (FY96-09: 161 Projects = $3.8M County funds, leveraging $14.1M) Ambassador Grants (FY 96-09: 98 Projects = $114K County funds, leveraging $1.1M) New P25 Compliant Interoperable Radio Communications System for Law Enforcement, First Responders (Fire & Rescue), other entities (Highway, Board of Educations) Tourism, Event & Economic Impact Projects – 25 to 30 contributing partners annually Law Enforcement Tactical Simulation Structure at Sheriff’s Office Training Center MSW Cell #4 (18.5 acres) at Landfill; Methane & Bio-Fuel Project Analysis Cahaba River Park Property (312 Acres) Future Home of the Alabama Firefighters Museum & Education Center 5

A bright future Shelby County has a favorable business climate and significant projected growth

or more than four decades, Shelby County has been the fastest growing county in the

state. Why? Because people know a good thing when they see it. Shelby County has a well-educated workforce, exceptional quality of life and favorable business climate. The county government and numerous organizations work together to create an environment that helps businesses and industries succeed.

Shelby County has long been valued for its land — all 808.8 square miles of it. The northern part of the county is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Central and southern Shelby County flattens out into farmland and pastures. Two major rivers are located in Shelby County. The Coosa snakes along the eastern border, while the Cahaba cuts through the northwestern part of the county. At its founding, the county was rural with a population of 2,492, according to Shelby County census records.

HiStorY oF SHElBY CoUNtY PoPUlatioN BooM Established in 1818 and named after the Revolutionary War hero and first governor of Kentucky Isaac Shelby, 6

The much higher population density today – 200,941 according to a 2012

U.S. Census estimate – is a reflection of the county’s changing industries over the years, from farmers to mills and industries. The arrival of high-traffic roadways, such as Interstate 65 and U.S. 280, helped connect Shelby County to Birmingham, and led to a rapid population boom and the diverse economy the county enjoys today. The 2010 census revealed that Shelby County was the once again the fastest growing county in the state of Alabama. The county has been the fasting growing county in the state of Alabama every decade since 1970. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Shelby County was the 98th fastest growing county in the nation over the

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: university of Montevallo on Main building. the Montevallo promenade. the shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana, Alabama Crown Distributing Company in Alabaster.

past decade, and it has been among the 100 fastest growing counties during each of the last four decades. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, Shelby County surpassed 200,000 residents for the first time in 2012. Two Shelby County cities – Calera and Chelsea – were the two fastest growing cities in Alabama during the past decade for places with 2,000 or more inhabitants. lookiNg aHEad The county has come out of the Great Recession strong and has a positive economic forecast. Shelby County is expected to remain one of the fastest, if not the fastest,

growing counties in the state in the foreseeable future in terms of population and employment. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham has projected that Shelby County’s population will grow from 195,085 in 2010 to 318,221 by 2040. Shelby County is attractive for retailers and other businesses because the county has the highest median household income in the state. In fact, Shelby County median household incomes are approximately 23 percent higher than Madison County at No. 2. The median household income for Shelby County was $68,883, compared to $42,934 for all households in the state of Alabama.

ACCOLADEs • Shelby County received an ‘AA+’ issuer credit rating (ICR) by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, the highest available without taxation powers. • Pelham was named one of the top 50 places to live in 2013 in the U.S., CNN Money Magazine. • Alabaster, Helena and Pelham ranked in top 30 “most businessfriendly cities in Alabama” in 2013, Alabama Policy Institute and Yellowhammerpolitics.com. • Shelby County was named one of the country’s best counties for job growth in 2011, CNN Money Magazine. 7

City Profiles

ALABASTER

POPuLAtIOn: 30,991 Alabaster City Hall 201 1st Street North | Alabaster, AL 35007 205-664-6800 Cityofalabaster.com

labaster has seen tremendous growth over the years and is now the largest city in Shelby County. The city grew up around Highway 31, which was once the main road between Birmingham and Montgomery. While Alabaster’s history is rooted in manufacturing and mining, the city now has a broad economic base with numerous restaurants, retail stores and businesses. Shelby Baptist Medical Center, the county’s only hospital, is also located in Alabaster. The city hosts Alabaster CityFest, a free, family-friendly

music festival that attracts tens of thousands of people each year. The city it is home to several private schools and officially launched its own school system in 2013, which includes six schools.

BIRMINGHAM POPuLAtIOn: 212,038 Birmingham City Hall 710 North 20th Street | Birmingham, AL 35203 205-254-2603 Informationbirmingham.com

ocated in both Jefferson and Shelby counties, Birmingham is the state’s largest city. It is undergoing a renaissance with topranked restaurants, a thriving nightlife and the renewal of oncestagnant neighborhoods. More than 1,700 Birmingham residents live in Shelby County. The city’s economy is diverse and strongly rooted in medical research, banking and services. Birmingham is home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a world-renowned research university and health care center. The Birmingham Barons, the city’s

minor league baseball team, recently moved downtown to a new stadium overlooking the city’s skyline. The city is also home to parks, museums, galleries, restaurants, nightclubs and more.

CALERA POPuLAtIOn: 12,472 Calera City Hall 10947 Highway 25 | Calera, AL 35040 205-668-3500 Cityofcalera.org

alera has generated a lot of positive press in recent years. It is the fastest-growing city in the state, and it was recently named one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S. by Money Magazine. The city has seen tremendous residential and economic growth in recent years. It is now home to a variety of manufacturing and service industries, as well as many retail businesses and restaurants. Calera is also home to two large parks: George W Roy Recreational Park, which has pavilions, a playground and walking trail, and Oliver Park, which has a football stadium, baseball and softball fields, walking track, nature trail, playgrounds and picnic facilities. Calera is also

home to Timberline Golf Club, a semi-private, par-71 course, and the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, the state’s official railroad museum which offers train excursions throughout the year. Plans are also under way for an Alabama Firefighters Museum and Education Center, a project between the county, city and other groups.

City Profiles

CHELSEA POPuLAtIOn: 10,801 Chelsea City Hall 11611 Chelsea Road | Chelsea, AL 35043 205-678-8455 Cityofchelsea.com

ocated along U.S. 280, Chelsea is one of the fastestgrowing cities in the state. Founded in 1996, the city saw a 245 percent population increase between 2000 and 2010. Recent business openings include a Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Alabama Power Credit Union and Baptist Medical Center, a clinic that offers a variety of medical services. Billing itself as “all about family,” the city announced plans for $10 million worth of projects and improvements beginning in 2013. Those include the construction of a community center, the hiring of a parks and recreation director and the construction of a

sports complex with recreational facilities, including tennis courts, a baseball complex, football field, soccer fields and a softball complex. Chelsea is home to five county public schools, including Forest Oaks, a new elementary school scheduled to open in the fall of 2013.

COLUMBIANA

POPuLAtIOn: 4,203 Columbiana City Hall 107 Mildred Street | Columbiana, AL 35080 205-669-5800 Cityofcolumbiana.com

olumbiana may be small, but it is big on charm with a familyfriendly atmosphere. The city, which is the county seat, has seen numerous new businesses open after hiring a marketing director, including a physical therapy clinic, outdoors store, boutique, a monogram store, and two bakeries. Columbiana holds many celebrations and events that draw thousands into the city throughout the year. Music on Main offers live music every Friday night during the summer, while the county’s annual birthday celebration always draws a big crowd to downtown Columbiana. The city also hosts the annual

county fair. The city cultivates an appreciation of history and the arts, and the Shelby County Arts Council, The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington and the Shelby County Museum and Archives are all located in the city limits.

HARPERSVILLE POPuLAtIOn: 1,673 Harpersville Town Hall 83 Town Hall Lane | Harpersville, AL 35078 205-672-9961 Townofharpersville.com

ncorporated in 1845, Harpersville still offers plenty of smalltown charm, not to mention several tourist attractions. Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery holds daily vineyard tours and wine tastings, music shows during the summer months and a grape stomp each September. Old Baker Farm remains a traditional family farm after 200 years, but it is best known for its annual events, including Living History Day, a fall festival and Christmas tree farm. The

Harpesville Drive-In offers a return to the old days, and shows current movies that viewers can watch from the comfort of their own cars. 9

City Profiles

HELENA POPuLAtIOn: 17,209 Helena City Hall 816 Highway 52 East | Helena, AL 35080 205-663-2161 Cityofhelena.org

est known for its idyllic location along the banks of Buck Creek, Helena offers small-town charm with easy access to big-city amenities. It is also home to numerous businesses, restaurants and organizations. The Helena Business Association supports local groups and also sponsors the annual Buck Creek Festival, a festival that includes live entertainment and arts and crafts vendors. Helena is home to an amphitheater, historic shopping district, museum, library and parks. It also offers easy access to the Cahaba River and numerous trails. Four county schools are located in the city limits, including a

new high school that will open in 2014. The city has been recognized for its quality of life and pro-business environment in several lists, including being ranked 90th of the best 100 places to live in the U.S. by Money Magazine in 2009.

HOOVER

POPuLAtIOn: 83,412 Hoover City Hall 100 Municipal Lane | Hoover, AL 35216 205-444-7500 Hooveral.org

oover is a sprawling, bustling suburb located just outside Birmingham. Approximately one third of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land and a quarter of its population is located in Shelby County. Home to the Riverchase Galleria, the city has long been a shopping and dining destination for the entire state. Hoover has a healthy economy with a broad base of businesses and industries and its own school system. Four of those schools are located in Shelby County, including the award-winning Spain Park High School. Shelby County is home to the Riverchase,

Inverness and Greystone communities, among others. Also located in Shelby County is the Veterans Park and numerous businesses and restaurants, especially along the U.S. 280 corridor and in the Riverchase area.

INDIAN SPRINGS VILLAGE POPuLAtIOn: 2,463 Indian Springs Town Hall 2635 Cahaba Valley Road Indian Springs, AL 35124 Indianspringsvillage.org

ndian Springs Village offers a quiet retreat amid the busy development of northern Shelby County. Since its incorporation in 1990, Indian Springs has sought to protect the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauty by restricting commercial development. The town is home to the North Shelby Library, and Heardmont Park is located nearby. The award-winning Oak Mountain schools, which are part of 10

the county system, are located in the town, as well as Indian Springs School, an award-winning boarding and day school.

City Profiles

LEEDS POPuLAtIOn: 11,885 Leeds City Hall 1041 Park Drive | Leeds, AL 35094 205-669-2585 Leedsalabama.gov

ncorporated in 1887, Leeds is positioned for growth along with surrounding cities. The majority of Leeds is in Jefferson County, while portions are also located in north Shelby and St. Clair counties. A little over 100 Leeds residents live in Shelby County. The city is home to the Barber Motorsports Museum and Racetrack, which has more than 1,200 vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars. The racetrack also hosts regular events. The Outlet Shops of Grand River, which opened in 2010, offers more than 60 stores and

restaurants with plans for additional stores in 2013 and 2014. Leeds has its own school system with an elementary, middle and high school serving area residents.

MONTEVALLO POPuLAtIOn: 6,452 Montevallo City Hall 545 Main Street | Montevallo, AL 35115 205-665-2555 Cityofmontevallo.com

ontevallo is home to some of the biggest attractions in Shelby County – American Village, the Alabama National Cemetery and, of course, the University of Montevallo. Located in the southwest corner of Shelby County, the city has a rich history as the county’s oldest settlement. Montevallo has a thriving arts community, thanks in no small part to the university. The city has a local arts council, theater troupe and several art galleries. Montevallo has a diverse economic base with an industrial park, restaurants, retail stores and health practitioners. The Montevallo Chamber of

Commerce provides support to local businesses throughout the year. Popular events include regular art walks, a farmers market, movies in the park, a car show, city parades, and the largest firefighter parade in Alabama during fire prevention week.

PELHAM POPuLAtIOn: 22,012 Pelham City Hall 3162 Pelham Parkway | Pelham, AL 35124 205-620-6400 Pelhamonline.com

est known as the home of Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham has a diverse business community. A wide range of retail stores, health practitioners, restaurants, hotels and business and professional services are located in the city. Oak Mountain State Park is the state’s largest park with 10,000 acres and numerous outdoor offerings, including hiking, biking, camping, golf and swimming. The Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena is home to a banquet hall for social and business events, as well as an ice arena. The ice arena hosts tens of thousands of visitors each year and serves the Birmingham Figure Skating Club

and the Pelham Youth Hockey League, as well as the Frozen Tide, the University of Alabama’s hockey team. The Pelham Racquet Club is a public tennis facility with 20 clay courts and five hard courts. Also located in Pelham is Ballantrae Golf Club, a public 18-hole course. 11

City Profiles

VESTAVIA HILLS POPuLAtIOn: 34,090 Vestavia Hills City Hall 513 Montgomery Highway | Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 205-978-0100 Vestaviahills.net

rimarily located in Jefferson County, Vestavia Hills is an affluent suburb of Birmingham. The city has one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-rated school systems and large parks and recreation and public safety departments. Only a portion of Vestavia Hills and 12 residents are located in the northern part of Shelby County. The city is home to numerous parks, libraries, sports centers and arts organizations.

VINCENT

POPuLAtIOn: 2,038 Vincent City Hall 25 Florey Street | Vincent, AL 35178 205-672-2261 Townofvincent.com

incent is another small city that has seen significant growth over the last decade. Located in east Shelby County, Vincent was officially declared a city in 2012. The city encompasses more than 20 square miles and is located along the Coosa River. The town boasts two parks, including one with a public boat ramp to access the river. The town is also home to several historical sites, including a old cotton gin. Also located in

Vincent is Blue Spring Manor, a high-end bed and breakfast that attracts visitors from across the country.

WESTOVER

POPuLAtIOn: 1,358 Westover City Hall 3312 Westover Road | Westover, AL 35147 205-678-3375 Westoveralabama.org

ncorporated in 2001, Westover is a young, growing city. Although the city recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, its history stretches back to 1901. Westover is located along U.S. 280 in north central Shelby County, only 24 miles from Birmingham. Since its incorporation, the city has grown from 2.5 square miles to more than 20. Westover is home to a park, library and numerous business and churches. It also hosts community 12

events throughout the year, including Music in the Park, October Tales and a Christmas parade.

City Profiles

WILSONVILLE

POPuLAtIOn: 1,929 Wilsonville Town Hall 9905 Main Street | Wilsonville, AL 35186 205-669-6180 Wilsonvilleal.com

ocated on Shelby Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southeastern border, Wilsonville is home to numerous businesses and churches. The town is home to a baseball field complex, softball field and Wilsonville Elementary School. It also has its own fire department and a library that offers a summer reading program and computers for public use. The town is located along Lay Lake, which is known

for its spectacular views and entertainment. The lake has six public access areas, including three marinas, and is a favorite spot in Shelby County for boaters, anglers and swimmers.

WILTON

POPuLAtIOn: 694 Wilton Town Hall 100 Depot Street | Wilton, AL 35187 205-665-2021 Wiltonalabama.com

ilton is located in southwest Shelby County. The town went through a series of name changes over the years, including Junction and Bismarck. Today, the town is home to several businesses, churches and a new playground, which opened in 2011.

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A culture of collaboration S

ome might say the University of Montevallo, Alabama’s only public liberal arts institution, is one of Shelby County’s best-kept secrets. An impressive array of public officials is working to change all that. The University of Montevallo, Shelby County, and the city of Montevallo are all working together to better bring the university and the city into the future. County Manager Alex Dudchock said the partnership between the county and UM began five years ago. “We’re doing it because in 2008, the county recognized that the University of Montevallo was clearly one of our economic catalysts,” Dudchock said. The county and UM soon set a goal for the university to gain 500 additional full-time students. In 2012, the city of Montevallo joined the partnership, and the three signed off on forming the Montevallo Development Cooperative District, a separate entity devoted to developing and carrying out improvements to benefit the university and city. Dudchock said the university had 3,083 full-time students in 2013 — about 400 students below the goal of 3,500. Dudchock said several projects and improvements have already been implemented. The university’s behavioral and social science program will move to the University of Montevallo on Main building, located on Main Street. The university 14

bookstore, run by Barnes and Noble, has also recently moved to Main Street, tripling the size of the former bookstore. “They moved from inside the campus to Main Street so they can continue to serve students as well as the public,” Dudchock said. He said he also expects to announce in late 2013 or early 2014 that a deal has been reached for a restaurant to open in the former Alabama Coach Company building, also located on Montevallo’s Main Street. “Again, this adds elements to make the university and the city more viable,” he said. Improvements have also been made to the University of Montevallo lake, including a pavilion with restrooms that can serve as an outdoor classroom, a boat storage facility and a picnic pavilion. Recently, workers completed a boardwalk that allows walkers and runners to follow a trail across the lake. Other planned projects include: • Building a UM softball stadium, which is slated to be ready for the 2015 season. • Building a new UM NCAA track and field facility where the existing intramural fields are located. The facility is slated to open in late 2014 or early 2015. • Building new intramural fields. • Improving the wifi capability in Orr Park for UM students and for the public.

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: university of Montevallo bookstore by barnes and noble. the Montevallo promenade. Eco Park. university of Montevallo on Main building.

university of Montevallo boardwalk at university Lake.

• Building a 60-80-room hotel close to UM. “These projects are only possible because of four entities working together — the county, city, university and the MDCD,” Dudchock said. “No one entity would have been able to pull this off by themselves because of available resources. Pooling of the resources made it possible.” UM President John W. Stewart III said he believes the improvements will help strengthen the bond between the city and the university. “I think the city and the university are inextricably tied together. Having the university embrace the downtown by putting many, many students and faculty and staff on Main Street is a genuine commitment,” Stewart said. “We’re hoping that many students and faculty will be patronizing shops, stores and restaurants downtown in a way that really promotes economic development.” Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost said citizens are happy about the developments and improvements. “I’m getting some overwhelmingly positive responses from all the citizens,” Cost said. “A lot of times there can be a divide between a university and a town. We just don’t have those issues here in Montevallo because we are so closely linked, especially now.”

A place for business

he qualities that make Shelby County a great place to live also make it a great location for business. The county is home to businesses of all sizes from major corporations to small, family-owned stores. In 2011, Shelby County was projected to emerge from the Great Recession as one of the leading counties for employment growth in the nation, according to a report released by Woods and Poole Economics, Inc. The report stated that the county is projected to increase employment by 2.61 percent between 2011 and 2015, adding 10,000 new jobs. In late 2011, Shelby County was also named one of the best counties in the country for job growth by CNN Money. The report stated that the county saw a 32.6 percent increase in number of jobs between 2000 and 2010.

SHElBY CoUNtY’S workForCE

Shelby County’s adult population enjoys the highest educational attainment levels in the state. According to the latest Census Bureau estimates, 40 percent of the county’s adults age 25 years and older have at least a bachelor’s degree and 12.6 percent have a graduate or professional degree. EMPloYMENt The county has the highest labor force participation rate in Alabama, and it consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in the state. In June 2013, the Alabama Department of Labor reported Shelby County’s unemployment rate at 4.5 percent. Cullman County had the next lowest rate at 5.6 percent. It also reported that Shelby County’s

tOP EMPLOyErs In shELby COunty

civilian labor force for that month was 104, 919 – a record high. The estimated number of employees was 100, 164, also a record high. rECovEriNg FroM tHE rECESSioN Between 2007-2009, the number of employees in the county declined by 5,464, and the number of employees dropped by 5,111 between 2008-2009 alone. Between 2009-2012, the number of Shelby County residents with jobs increased by nearly 7,000, growing from 92,277 in 2009 to 99,269 in 2012. The county’s unemployment rate has also fallen significantly since 2009 when it spiked to 6.9 percent. The county’s unemployment rate ranged from 2.2 percent to 3.3 percent during the decade preceding the recession.

tOP MAnufACturErs In shELby COunty

COMPAny

Employees

COMPAny

Employees

Shelby County Board of Education

3,623

MacLean Power Systems

275

Regions Bank

1,600

Vulcan Threaded Products

220

Walmart

1,585

Chemical Lime

210

EBSCO Industries, Inc.

1,461

LaFarge Building Materials, Inc.

204

Shelby Baptist Medical Center

1,000

Process Barron

200

Southern Company

780

AGC Automotive Americas

180

Publix Supermarkets

975

Summer Classics

162

Shelby County Government

605

Boatwright Railroad Products

162

University of Montevallo

543

Carmeuse Lime & Stone, Inc.

150

450

DeShazo Crane

150

Mspark (Formerly MailSouth, Inc.) Source: Shelby County Government, 2011

Source: Shelby County Government, 2011

Putting business first

helby County is home to four Chambers of Commerce, which work to further the interests of businesses in the area. The Chambers are important members of the county, helping to create strong ties between members and to promote a pro-business environment throughout the county. grEatEr SHElBY CHaMBEr oF CoMMErCE The Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce serves all municipalities in Shelby County. Its vision is to assist in building a strong economy by nurturing businesses, addressing business needs and developing a business environment that is attractive and stable. The chamber offers many programs for its members and the public, including receptions, monthly growth-focused seminars, business after-hours events, golf tournaments, an ambassador program, speed networking and online services. ShelbyOneÂ is the five-year initiative of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is for Shelby County to be the economic hub and governmental leader in central Alabama by the year 2016. Through collaborative partnerships, public and private sector leaders will work together to provide excellence in education, offer quality employment, retain existing business, attract new business and development, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Shelby County. The ShelbyOne initiative includes four key components: business support and 18

development, community development, government relations and marketing and communications. SoUtH SHElBY CHaMBEr oF CoMMErCE The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce serves the municipalities of Chelsea, Columbiana, Harpersville, Mt Laurel, Vincent, Wilsonville and Westover. The mission of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce is to “support stability and growth for the business community by providing services that cultivate economic expansion and development.” The chamber was founded in 1993 and is governed by a board of directors. It now serves about 400 businesses and organizations. The South Shelby Chamber hosts numerous events throughout the year to allow members to network and market their business. Events include monthly luncheons, an annual golf tournament, an annual silent auction and a monthly Coffee with the Mayor, which is held in a different member town each time. The chamber has a weekly E-newsletter, monthly print newsletter and other online services. It also offers sponsorship opportunities for events, sponsors scholarships for local students and assists with business ribbon cuttings and grand openings. CalEra CHaMBEr oF CoMMErCE

Welcome to the good life. Welcome to Shelby Living!

SSHHEELLLLiviBivBngYinYg SHELLivBY ing

SHELBY Living

The Calera Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in the city of Calera. The chamber is a non-profit business organization dedicated to uniting and engaging its members to ensure the ongoing prosperity and family-oriented quality of life in Shelby County. It strives to be a catalyst for growth and a unified voice advocating on behalf of its members. The chamber offers a range of services, including networking, advocacy, referrals, advertising, grand openings and ribbon cuttings. It also sponsors many community events, including an annual golf tournament, a Christmas parade and member luncheons.

Sydnii Todd

and the spring’s The Little hottes

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Scott Squared

May 2012

The Montevallo Chamber of Commerce serves businesses, individuals and organizations in the Montevallo area. Its goal is to keep commerce active by involving the City of Montevallo, the community and the University of Montevallo. The chamber helps members build a network of individuals and companies that will get involved with Montevallo businesses and organizations. The chamber website, Facebook page and membership directory are available to members to help them communicate their message. The chamber sponsors numerous events each year, including monthly luncheons, Easter egg hunt, Citizens’ Night Awards Banquet, golf tournament, Halloween celebration, holiday parade and a Christmas open house. It also publishes a monthly newsletter for the community, a street map and shopping guide. The chamber is operated by a board of directors, various committees, volunteers and the president.

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SCEIDA plays role in county’s success

or Shelby County Economic and Industrial Development Authority (SCEIDA) Executive Director James Dedes, few things beat the feeling of helping create jobs in Shelby County. “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that we’ve been part of bringing a project to Shelby County that creates jobs for our residents,” Dedes said. “It is very rewarding to know that we are doing something on a daily basis that will quite probably improve someone’s life.” SCEIDA was incorporated created by Shelby County in 1996 to encourage the creation of new jobs within the county. The Authority is governed by a 15-member board of directors appointed by the Shelby County Commission and works daily to promote economic development and support existing employers. One of the authority’s most recognizable contributions to the county’s economy can be found near the Shelby County Airport. Shelby West Corporate Park (SWCP) has grown steadily over the past several years, and currently is one of the county’s largest industrial parks. The park was developed by the Shelby County Commission and SCEIDA is responsible for marketing and recruitment. Shelby West is a 390-acre park located

along Interstate 65 in Alabaster, right off exit 234. Major tenants include AGC Automotive Americas, MSpark, Alabama Crown Distributing, Hibbett Sports, BTC Wholesale Distributors and Fresenius Medical care. “Shelby West Corporate Park is really our biggest success story,” Dedes said, noting that the park is over 70 percent built-out and is home to over 1,300 jobs. The park was built by the County. The City of Alabaster provides water and sewer service to the park. Our coordination with the County and the city is very important, “ Dedes said. “The success we’ve had at SWCP is due in large part to our ability to provide reliable services and infrastructure to these companies.” As part of their ongoing marketing program, SCEIDA works closely with commercial real estate firms and the private sector to develop buildings and sites for new and expanding companies. According to Dedes, “two of the largest commercial real estate firms in the region have constructed over 2.2 million square feet of multi-tenant speculative buildings in south Shelby County.” He added, “Our strategic partnership with these firms ensures that we have a product to show prospects.” SCEIDA is also involved in providing

incentives to induce companies to make investments and create jobs. The SCEIDA board recently authorized a tax incentive agreement with Jesse Creek Mining Company that will result in 174 new jobs within the next four years. “Some of these new jobs will pay over $70,000 per year, “ Dedes noted, “and this project reflects our priority to focus on the types of jobs being created instead of simply counting the number being created.” Establishing partnerships with municipalities throughout Shelby County remains a priority for the authority. “We worked with the City of Hoover on a $5.3 million expansion at BioHorizons, a high-tech dental implant company, and we are often involved in incentive discussions with cities throughout the county,” according to Dedes. “All projects are important,” Dedes added. “Hibbett’s recent $40 million, 150-job project is a tremendous success for us. But we are also successful when a growing company such as Entec Services relocates and creates 11 new jobs.” Through strategic partnerships, marketing and incentives, SCEIDA continues to be a valuable resource to encourage investment and the creation of new jobs in Alabama’s fastest-growing county.

Construction on the new hibbett sports distribution center in Alabaster began in April 2013. several groups helped recruit the facility to the area, including the Alabaster Industrial Development board and the county.

City boards help recruit industries

any of the municipalities located in Shelby County also have economic or industrial development boards. These groups work with the county government to help new businesses to their cities. Cities with industrial development boards include Alabaster, Calera, Helena, Hoover, Montevallo and Pelham. Senator Cam Ward has served as the executive director of the Industrial Development Board of Alabaster since 2000. He’s contracted by the board, which has seven members, in both retail and industrial development. The Industrial Development Board of Alabaster has played a role in recruiting numerous industries to the city over

the years, including Georgia Crown, BTC Wholesale Distributors and AGC Automotive. Recently, the board helped recruit a Hibbett Sports distribution center to Alabaster’s Shelby West Corporate Park. When completed in April 2014, the facility will occupy about 60 acres, and will be about 416,000 square feet. “It’s Hibbett’s largest distribution center in the country, and it’s going to be located in Alabaster, Alabama,” Ward said. Ward said the board has worked closely with the county in recruiting these businesses. “We worked on them hand-in-hand with the county,” he said “That’s what’s made Alabaster so successful, is the

relationship with the Shelby County government.” During a Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon in July 2013, Hibbett Sports President and CEO Jeff Rosenthal said the company was looking forward to the completion of its new facility. “We looked at a lot of places before we chose Alabaster and Shelby County,” Hibbett Sports President and CEO Jeff Rosenthal said. “We felt confident with the type of workforce and the community.” The Calera Industrial Development Board also has seen several successes over the years. Recently, it assisted with the development of the Alabama Firefighters Museum and Education Center, which will be located in Calera. 21

BUsiNess PArKs

INVERNESS CENTER LOCAtIOn

Inverness Center is located in the U.S. 280 corridor.

trAnsPOrtAtIOn • Located off U.S. 280 • Approximately two miles from Interstate 459 • 15 minutes from downtown Birmingham

Sungard (XSP) Enercon T-Mobile EPL Aptalis

MAjOr tEnAnts League of Southeastern Credit Unions Southern Company Alden Systems Select Medical

he Inverness Center park, located on the bustling U.S. 280 corridor, is part of one of the Southeast’s best-known masterplanned communities — Inverness. The heavily wooded community offers more than one million square feet of office space, some 435,000 square feet of retail development, several single-family residential neighborhoods, many apartment homes and a private country club featuring an 18-hole golf course. The community is situated on picturesque Lake Heather. Several buildings in the park have space available to rent. Buildings feature 24-hour electronic card access security systems, plenty of parking, on-site property managers, elevators, energy efficiency, available fiber optics and sprinklers. Some buildings have conference facilities as well. The park is managed by Harris Tynes Realty Group. Current tenants include Sungard (XSP), Enercon, T-Mobile, EPL, Aptalis, League of Southeastern Credit Unions, Southern Company, Alden Systems and Select Medical.

MEADOW BROOK CORPORATE PARK LOCAtIOn

Meadow Brook Corporate Park, managed by Graham & Company LLC, is located in the U.S. 280 corridor.

PArk ACrEAgE

Office park is 175 acres.

trAnsPOrtAtIOn

• Located off U.S. 280 • About 15 minutes from downtown Birmingham • About three miles from Interstate 459 BlueCross Blue Shield of Alabama Fidelity Information Services Oakstone Publishing

MAjOr tEnAnts Wiser Company Sain Engineering University of Phoenix

eadow Brook Corporate Park, located on the U.S. 280 corridor, is situated within a 175-acre office park that includes a 13-acre lake and a 1.3-mile walking trail. The park is located minutes from downtown Birmingham and about three miles from Interstate 459. Designed by Nimrod, Long and Associates in the 1980s, Meadow Brook Corporate Park now has 11 office buildings. It received an Honor Award from the National Association of Office and Industrial Parks in 1989, and a Merit Award from the Alabama Chapter of the ASLA in 1988. The buildings have ample parking available for tenants and customers. Four of the buildings are managed by Graham & Company, and boast an impressive array of tenants, including Fidelity Information Services, Oakstone Publishing, Wiser Company, Sain Engineering and the University of Phoenix.

BUsiNess PArKs

SHELBy WEST CORPORATE PARK LOCAtIOn

Off Interstate 65 just north of the Shelby County Airport near the Alabaster-Calera line

trAnsPOrtAtIOn

• Located adjacent to Interstate 65 • Adjoins Shelby County Airport, which serves general aviation • About 30 miles south of downtown Birmingham

PArk ACrEAgE

Total acres 390, Available acres 100 Smallest tract 1.98 acres Largest tract 58.85 acres BTC Wholesale AGC Automotive

tEnAnts

Fresenius Hibbett Sports

helby West Corporate Park (SWCP), located within the city limits of Alabaster north of the Shelby County Airport, is being developed by the Shelby County Commission to provide sites for new and expanding companies. The Shelby County Economic & Industrial Development Authority (SCEIDA) is responsible for marketing the park and coordinating with the Alabaster Industrial Development Board to structure incentive agreements for new companies. SWCP provides a wide range of sites and buildings within the park’s 390-acre boundary. Recent projects include the completion of a 165,000 sq. ft. Alabama Crown distribution center and the ongoing construction of a 412,000-square-foot distribution center for Hibbett Sports. Among the 27 sites at SWCP are two large multi-tenant speculative buildings constructed by EGS Commercial Real Estate. Portions of the two buildings currently are leased by companies such as MSpark, Kauffman Tire, JanPak and AGC Automotive Americas. Other tenants in the park include Georgia Crown, Armstrong Relocation, Thompson Tractor, Hardwoods of Alabama and Weller Reman.

SHELBy COMMERCE PARK LOCAtIOn

Near the intersection of Oak Tree Lane and U.S. 31 in Calera, about 1.5 miles north of Interstate 65 exit 231

PArk ACrEAgE

Total acres 150, Available acres 50, Smallest property 26,000 square feet, Largest property 500,056 square feet

trAnsPOrtAtIOn • Located adjacent to Interstate 65 • A few miles south of the Shelby County Airport, which serves general aviation • About 30 miles south of downtown Birmingham Vital Records Control Joshen Paper

tEnAnts

Custom Marketing and Warehousing HD Supply

onstructed in one of the fastest-growing areas of Shelby County, Calera’s Shelby Commerce Park boasts easy access and a wide range of commercial offerings. Located on U.S. 31 north of Interstate 65’s exit 231, the four-phase Shelby Commerce Park is centrally located to large automobile manufacturers, such as Hyundai in Montgomery, Mercedes in Tuscaloosa and Honda in Lincoln. The park includes a total of more than 1.5 million square feet, and features 13,000-square-foot and 24,960-square-foot bays to serve a wide range of commercial tenants. Current Shelby Commerce Park tenants include Vital Records Control, Joshen Paper, Custom Marketing and Warehousing and HD Supply, among several others. The park is less than 1.5 miles from Interstate 65, providing easy transportation access for commerce park tenants. Of the park’s 150 acres, 50 acres currently are available for sale or development. 23

BUsiNess PArKs

CAHABA VALLEy INDUSTRIAL PARK LOCAtIOn

Interstate 65 at Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham

trAnsPOrtAtIOn

• Located off Alabama 119 in Pelham • About 10 miles from Shelby County Airport in Calera • About 20 miles south of downtown Birmingham ADT Security Champion Window Siemens

tEnAnts

Liberty National Life Insurance Lennox Industries

ith a location bordering several of northern Shelby County’s major highways and Interstates, Pelham’s Cahaba Valley Industrial Park has become home to several of the county’s largest businesses. Located off of Alabama 119, the industrial park occupies a total of 39.76 acres, and is owned by Pelham Industrial Enterprises. Billed as “Birmingham’s premier office and warehouse development,” the Cahaba Valley Industrial Park includes buildings as small as 5,000 square feet and as large as 25,000 square feet. The park’s proximity to Alabama 119, U.S. 31 and Interstate 65 has led to the development being completely occupied as of summer 2013. Cahaba Valley Industrial Park provides a home to several of Shelby County’s largest businesses, such as ADT Security, the Siemens engineering and electronics company, Champion Window, Liberty National Life Insurance and the Lennox heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. In total, 46 companies have decided to make their homes in the Cahaba Valley Industrial Park.

RIVERCHASE CENTER LOCAtIOn

Riverchase Center is located on Riverchase Parkway in Birmingham.

PArk ACrEAgE

306,000 rentable square feet

trAnsPOrtAtIOn • Close to Interstate 65 • Connects to U.S. 31

tEnAnts Major tenants include insurance companies, engineering companies, marketing firms, research firms, financial advisors and light manufacturers.

he Riverchase Center is a professional business park with eight single-story buildings with a total of 306,000 rentable square feet. It is managed by CBRE Inc., and tenants include insurance companies, engineering companies, marketing firms, research firms, financial advisors and light manufacturers. The buildings offer state-of-the-art amenities and are close to the Riverchase Galleria shopping mall, the Marriott Courtyard and La Quinta hotels and other shops and restaurants. The Fresh Art Café is also on the park campus.

Entec Services offers quality testing services from Pelham

hances are where there is a smokestack, ENTEC Services can not be far behind. The Pelhambased environmental testing company 26

counts some industrial giants among its clients – U.S. Steel, Southern Company, ABC Coke and others. Originally based in Hueytown, the company moved from Jefferson County in 2011 to its present location just off Interstate 65 at the “tank farm” exit. “We’re relative newcomers,” said John Sutton, ENTEC president, “We had wanted to make the move for a long time, and are really glad to be here.” Sutton said the relocation was prompted by the uncertainty about the level of services continuing in Jefferson County, plus he said, “I live in Shelby County and I’m a lot closer to home. I sure don’t miss that 45 minute commute to work every morning.”

Sutton comes to ENTEC via the Southern Company where he worked the maintenance and operation side of the business heading up a European subsidiary. When that office shut down, Sutton came home to Alabama to buy ENTEC. “I knew about the industry,” he said, “because I had been on the buying side of ENTEC services, but I didn’t know a whole lot about running the company. I’ve had a lot of good people to help me along the way.” Obviously, Sutton was a quick study. Since taking over the helm, he has helped ENTEC expand its business with new offices in Mobile, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Kannapolis and Raleigh North Carolina. Close to 40 employees

CLOCkWIsE frOM LEft: EntEC services headquarters in Pelham. An EntEC employee at work in a lab. EntEC employees travel locations throughout the country for environmental testing. EntEC President john sutton.

are based in the Pelham corporate headquarters. “Our intention is to cover the southeast,” Sutton explained. “It’s the nature of our business that a lot of our costs are tied up in travel. The closer you can get to your customers, the more competitive you can be by reducing those travel costs.” As Sutton explained, ENTEC’s services largely come into play when a new regulation is promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Most always, when they (EPA) roll out new regulations they’re going to be targeted to a specific industry, like the cement industry, or utilities, or aerospace. Where we get involved is to do upfront testing to collect data which

the EPA needs. Once the regulation is issued, there will be a requirement that the plant tests for particulates, or noxious gases or other compounds. Once the regulation is out there, it’s mandatory that the plant conduct annual, ongoing tests, year in and year out,” said Sutton. Jobs in this industry are not for the faint of heart or undertrained, Sutton is quick to explain. “Our workers go into a new industrial environment every day,” he said. “We have to deal with climbing (one) hundred foot smoke stacks, all kinds of weather, and breathing the fumes off those stacks. At ENTEC we have an intense focus on safety. When we hire

somebody on as an analyst, they must go through a rigorous safety training program. It involves a lot of on the job and classroom training before they can actually go out on a stack and do the work.” ENTEC is one of about 300 such operations nationwide, but Sutton expects that number to change in the next four to five years. “Our industry is like a lot of industries, right now,” he said. “We are very fragmented with a lot of Mom and Pop operations, a single office in a single location. But, consolidation is on the way. That’s the next big dynamic that I expect we will experience.” 27

A world leader in technology S

unGard, one of the world’s leading software and technology services, with annual revenues of over $4 billion, is a leading contender on Shelby County’s economic playing field. During the nation’s financial crisis, which began in 2008, when many companies were downsizing and shutting their doors, SunGard not only survived, but thrived, by providing a broad portfolio of mission-critical software and technology services for the financial industry. Most recently it acquired another Shelby County Company, XcitekSolutionsPlus, LLC, which provides corporate actions software as part of its capital markets business. Globally, the company serves about 25,000 clients in 70 countries with more than 17,000 employees. Locally, the employees number 450 working from the company’s two office buildings in the Inverness Center off U.S. 280. The company has been around since 1982, first

in Irondale, before moving to its present location in the 1990s. The name SunGard is derived from two sources. Sun is from Sun Oil, which started a computer services division back in the 1970s when many oil companies were diversifying their operations. Gard is an acronym for one of SunGard’s most recognized services meaning “Guaranteed Access to Recoverable Data.” According to Greg Clark, executive vice president and general manager for the Omni business unit within SunGard’s wealth and retirement administration business, Shelby County was a natural choice for relocation. “We chose Shelby County because of its great sense of community. We’ve got a lot of long-term employees who live here,” he said. “We see this area as a great market from an education perspective and the ability to recruit. We found a really skilled labor pool at cost effective labor rates.

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: greg Clark is the executive vice president for sungard’s Omni business unit. sungard employs about 450 people at its Inverness location. sungard employees gather for a meeting. sungard is located in two buildings in the Inverness Center business Park.

This is a great community, one that we are excited to be in and look forward to expanding in.” Clark said one move already under way is to expand the managed services business for retirement plan record keepers. These are the organizations that administer 401k and pension plans for employers. “In wealth and retirement specifically, we see managed services as a major growth component of our organization, as our clients are the financial institutions and providers who are ultimately working with individuals to ensure they have healthy retirement,” he said. “Our

objective is to provide the technology platforms and services to help those providers do just that. We believe we offer very competitive products and services from a pricing perspective to help them. Clearly, in the economic times we’ve been through, that’s why we continue to see growth.” Clark attributes SunGard’s success and continued growth to its employees. “It is simply the quality of people we bring in. We are very focused on our employees, focused on having highly trained employees,” he said. “We have many who have significant domain

expertise in the various areas. When you combine that with the maniacal focus on our clients, we are delivering value by providing high quality products and services at competitive prices.” Clark said by “maniacal” he means the willingness and desire to listen to what clients are really looking for and “to combine that with our ability to adapt our products and services to meet those needs.” “I can only speak to our approach,” he said, “but it has been a successful recipe for us and one that we believe will allow us to continue to grow.” 29

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: btC Wholesale Distributors sells candy, frozen food and other products. Employees work in btC’s Alabaster warehouse. btC relocated to Alabaster from birmingham about 11 years ago.

A family business finds success in county

TC Wholesale Distributors has relocated its headquarters and expanded its products over the years, but one thing has not changed – its owners. “It’s a family business,” D’Amico said of BTC Wholesale Distributors, which was started as Birmingham Tobacco Company by his grandfather in 1927. “We have been around a long time.” D’Amico’s grandfather, Frank D’Amico Sr., came to Birmingham from

Italy by way of Pittsburgh to work the coalfields, but he found that was not a good fit. So he started several grocery stores and eventually Birmingham Tobacco Company was born on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham. The company, which began selling candy, tobacco and a few other products, expanded about 20 years ago to begin selling a full range of items from snacks to toothpaste to cigarettes to frozen food. The name changed to BTC Wholesale

Distributors soon after to reflect the expanded product line. “Anything you see in a convenience store, we sell. Our niche would be grocery stores — we serve grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores,” said the third D’Amico, who was named Wholesaler of the Year for 2012 by the Alabama Grocers Association. According to AGA, he earned the award for his outstanding service and devotion to the grocery industry in Alabama.

D’Amico, president of BTC Wholesale Distributors, joined the company in 1979 with his father, Frank D’Amico Jr., acting as the company’s CEO. “I’m the third generation to work here, and two of my sons are working here this summer,” he said. After the company’s offerings and territory began to expand, the company moved to Alabaster. Serving six states — Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Florida — the company needed room to grow and easy interstate access, D’Amico said. “The business is still growing, and we felt like it was important to be in an area that would increase in value,” he said. “We felt the Shelby County area was growing, and it seems like we’ve been right.” Since moving to Alabaster nearly 11 years ago, BTC Wholesale Distributors has created 105 new jobs in the area and helped to grow a business park developed by the county, D’Amico said. “We came here to have a building we could build onto and expand as our product expanded,” he said. “This is the perfect spot. We can grow, and we can go all over Alabama and beyond from here.”

Choosing a path is easy. But if you want to pioneer one, JOIN US.

UNiversity of MONtevallO 31

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: EbsCO Industries’ international headquarters in shelby County. A craftsman-style home in Mt Laurel. A packaging plant in vincent. Downtown Mt Laurel.

The secret to success Quality products and human talent have kept EBSCO competitive for seven decades

or 31 years, EBSCO Industries has called Shelby County home. A giant in the information services world, EBSCO is a provider of research databases used throughout the world. The numbers are staggering – 350,000 listings, 83,000 publishers and more than 30 offices worldwide. However, EBSCO is not limited to information and databases. The company, which had revenues of $2.4 billion in 2012, has more than 40 business divisions, including publishing services, manufacturing, outdoor products and real estate. The company employs more than 6,000 people worldwide, including more than 560 in Shelby County and more than 1,000 outside the U.S. EBSCO President and CEO Dixon Brooke Jr. said Shelby County has been a great place to do business for the last three decades. 32

“Over the years we have seen considerable growth in Shelby County and have been impressed with the way Shelby County gets things done,” he said. “Shelby County moves with a sense of urgency that is not often seen in other areas where we operate.” tHE HiStorY oF EBSCo EBSCO, located on U.S. 280 near Chelsea, is best known for its database services, it got its start in magazine sales. In the 1930s, Elton B. Stephens began selling magazines to earn money for college – a job he returned to after completing law school. In 1944, he and his wife, Alys Robinson Stephens founded Military Service Company, which sold magazines, personalized binders and racks to the U.S. Armed Forces. Other companies

were formed or purchased over the next three decades to handle printing and manufacturing of binders, display racks, stationery and similar products. In 1958, the companies were combined under EBSCO Industries, which was headquartered in Birmingham. The next two decades focused on further expansion, mostly in magazines and subscription services, but also in manufacturing.

J.T. Stephens, chairman of the board and one of the Stephens’ sons, said his father’s vision for the company was “to be a good business citizen of our society.” In 1982, the international headquarters was moved to Shelby County, which John Thompson, vice president and director of human resources, said has contributed to the company’s success. “The way-of-life within surrounding areas, like our very own Mt Laurel, combined with the close proximity of downtown (Birmingham) provides unique opportunities for individuals and families many companies simply can’t offer,” he said. “Additionally, we love that the topography of the surrounding area allows us to have a secluded natural environment for our headquarters, providing a beautiful, serene environment for our employees.” The last three decades have certainly been a success as the company continued to expand, opening offices across the globe. During that time the company also saw growth in other products and services, including manufacturing and land development. BEttiNg oN tHE laNd One of EBSCO’s more interesting decisions over the years was the acquisition of land and development of communities. John Freeman Sr., vice president and general manager, said company leaders already knew Shelby County’s potential when EBSCO began developing Mt

Laurel in 1998. After all, the company first acquired the land and relocated its headquarters to the area more than a decade earlier. “Believing in the future of Shelby County, EBSCO Realty began acquiring property 30 years ago on Double Oak Mountain between Highway 41 and Highway 43, “ Freeman said. “In 1998 EBSCO Development Co., Inc. was formed and started developing a new town: A community that learns from our region’s historic towns and neighborhoods, respects our significant landscape, trees and topography and offers a model for accommodating growth without compromising quality of life.” Mt Laurel now has 200 homes, and the master plan calls for about 500 homes when completely developed. It also has a public elementary school, a Montessori school, churches, a county library, fire station, several restaurants, grocery store, florist, dentist and chiropractor, among other businesses. Located on 30A in Florida, Alys Beach has 158 acres with the potential for approximately 900 homes. It also has a pool, neighborhood coffee shop, numerous parks and a restaurant. a CoMMoN CaUSE Maintaining a cohesive corporate identity could have been difficult for EBSCO. After all, this is a company that manufactures fishing lures, provides access to research

databases and develops communities. However, Brooke said each of the company’s businesses follows the same principals. “EBSCO is founded on eight core values: Customer first, sales, growth, profitability, engineering, creativity, thrift and people; and these eight core values are the foundation for every business we operate,” he said. EBSCO also contributes 15 percent of pretax earnings to a profit-sharing plan for participating employees, which creates a common goal for success. In addition, the company contributes 5 percent of its profit to worthwhile causes, including many local ones. “We believe in actively supporting the community, contributing in ways that improve lives and help make our community a better place to live,” said Dell Brooke, member of EBSCO’s Board of Directors and head of the Philanthropic Committee. “We invest in organizations in (Birmingham) and the surrounding counties that are committed to positive changes in the areas of education, health, the arts, the environment and social services.” Local beneficiaries include United Way, Impact Alabama, The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, University of Montevallo, Alabama River Alliance, Kid One, The Lakeshore Foundation and the Shelby County Arts Council. 33

Mt Laurel is home to a grocery store, florist, dentist and chiropractor, among other businesses.

lookiNg aHEad Almost seven decades after its founding, EBSCO is looking ahead to a future that includes continued growth and quality service. “We see opportunity to capitalize on

organic growth in all of our business platforms as the economy continues to improve,” said David Walker, vice president and CFO. Walker said outdoor products, promotional products, information services and property/casualty and employer benefits insurance offer excellent

opportunities for future growth. Company leaders are also optimistic about its real estate holdings. After several years of a weak economy, the outlook for both Mt Laurel and Alys Beach is positive. Stephens said the company bought the land and developed the communities knowing their success would be determined over a long period of time. “We know the final score only comes at the end of the project,” he said. “We have tried to do these (communities) well and keep them up and ready. Today, we see ourselves as very well positioned with both developments for the recovery, which we certainly see in full stride.” No matter the direction EBSCO takes next, one thing won’t change – its people, which Dixon Brooke credits as the key to the company’s success. “Human talent made us the company we are today, and it continues to be EBSCO’s most important asset,” he said. “We employ well-trained, highly motivated people committed to excellence and consistently delivering the highest level of service.”

ABOVE: The Shelby County Airport is located in Calera. RIGHT: U.S. 280.

DrIvIng DIstAnCEs

Located in the center of the state, Shelby County offers easy access to major metropolitan centers and tourist destinations throughout the Southeast.

City

Miles

travel time

Atlanta, GA

158

2 1/2 hours

Birmingham, AL

28 minutes

Charleston, SC

475

7 hours

Chattanooga, TN

162

2 1/2 hours

Dallas, TX

638

9 1/4 hours

Destin, FL

234

4 1/2 hours

Houston, TX

668

9 3/4 hours

Memphis, TN

356

4 hours

Mobile, AL

239

3 1/2 hours

Montgomery, AL

1 1/4 hours

Nashville, TN

210

3 1/4 hours

Orlando, FL

539

8 1/4 hours

New Orleans, LA

346

5 1/4 hours

Savannah, GA

405

6 hours

Travel times estimated using Google Maps. Starting location is Pelham.

Navigating Shelby County S

helby County is a popular and desirable choice for economic developers and industrial recruiters for a number of reasons. One important factor is Shelby County’s excellent integrated transportation network. The county is strategically located in close proximity to the center of the State’s transportation network with superb access to I-65, I-20, I-59, I-459, future I-22, U.S. 280, U.S. 31, U.S. 231 and numerous state routes. The Birmingham region also supports the state’s largest airport and regional rail lines (CSX and Norfolk Southern). SHElBY CoUNtY airPort The Shelby County Airport, located in Calera, is in high demand and continues to grow, according to County Manager Alex Dudchock and Manager of Facilities and General Services Reed Prince.

The airport supports both general aviation and business clients. General aviation aircraft include smaller single and twin engine planes owned by individuals and used for recreational flying, small businesses or individual travel. Larger jet engine aircraft are primarily used for business travel. In the last two years, the airport has added 24 hangars that house general aviation aircraft. The county is in the process of constructing a large mass storage hangar that will accommodate the storage of large corporate aircraft. “We have recently awarded a contract to construct 16 additional hangars,” Prince said. “These hangars will be occupied from an existing waiting list.” More hangars will likely be built down the line. “Right now the demand for hangar space is high. We intend to continue building hangars, possibly develop an out-parcel for commercial use and construct a park and ride lot near the north end of our runway,” Dudchock said. The airport is designed to make travel convenient for customers, with a modern terminal, comfortable lobby, public computer, restrooms and a fullyequipped conference room. The airport also includes a self-service, 24-hour fueling island and full-service fueling during business hours. A flight planning area, vending machine, pilots’ lounge and sleep room are available, along with wi-fi and courtesy cars for short-term daily use. “Customer service is our best commodity,” he said. Dudchock agreed, saying, “our goal is to grow our business daily through delivery of a quality product, at competitive prices, with excellent facilities and customer service.” rECENt traNSPortatioN iMProvEMENtS I-65 was recently widened from four to six or more lanes in northern Shelby County from I-459 through Shelby County Road 52 to alleviate congestion. Within the next few years, the Alabama

Department of Transportation (ALDOT) plans to widen I-65 to six lanes all the way through Shelby County to the Chilton County line. In 2013, ALDOT also began improvements to ease congestion on U.S. 280. The improvements are intended to

make travel easier for commuters on U.S. 280 by adopting an adaptive traffic signal system, widening intersections, reconstructing side streets and more. Construction of the $15.6 million project began in April 2013 and it is scheduled to be completed in November. 37

Best in CLASS

helby County offers a range of educational opportunities, whether it is for the kindergartner stepping foot in a classroom for the first time or a scholar seeking a post-graduate degree. These educational opportunities keep Shelby County on the top of quality of life rankings in the state. The 2010 Kids Count Data Book ranked Shelby County the best in the state for raising a child, based in part on its high graduation rate. Shelby County also came out on top in a 2011 quality of life study by Alabama State University, which also took educational opportunities into account. SHElBY CoUNtY SCHoolS With 35 schools serving elementary, middle and high school students, the Shelby County School System is the largest educational system in the county. 38

The award-winning staff includes 1,684 professional employees and 1,205 support employees. In the 2012-2013 school year, the district had an approximately $303 million budget and enrollment of more than 28,700 students. Individual schools have also been recognized for excellence, including Oak Mountain High School, which was named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education and ranked on Newsweek and the Daily Beast’s 2013 list of America’s Best High Schools. HoovEr CitY SCHoolS Hoover City Schools has 17 schools, including 10 elementary schools, one intermediate school, three middle schools, two high schools and an alternative school. In the 2012-2013 school year, the school had an approximately $145 million budget and enrollment of about 13,700 students. Hoover City Schools began its most

recent long-range strategic planning process in 2008. The plan incorporates three comprehensive goals representing key elements necessary to achieve the district’s mission of providing exemplary education to each student: academic achievement, a collaborative learning culture, and organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Hoover City Schools ranks in the top five of Alabama districts when it comes to the percentage of National Board-Certified teachers. Additionally, the district has been named a “Super System for Quality Schools” by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Recently, the district secured the “District Accreditation” certification through SACS. Individual schools have also won awards, including Spain Park High School, which was ranked on Newsweek and the Daily Beast’s 2013 list of America’s Best High Schools. The district spans both Jefferson and Shelby counties, and five schools are located in Shelby County.

CLOCkWIsE frOM LEft: hilltop Montessori school in Mt Laurel. Alabaster City schools superintendent Dr. Wayne vickers and thompson Intermediate Principal Dr. ke jones. the university of Montevallo campus. Pelham high school boys baseball team, winner of the 2013 AhsAA baseball Championship for Class 6A, the largest class in the state. spain Park high school theater production. jefferson state Community College.

alaBaStEr CitY SCHoolS The City of Alabaster recently launched its own school system, which will open to students in the fall of 2013. The new school system includes two elementary schools, two intermediate schools, a middle school and a high school. Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers has said he wants the new school system to be one of the best in the state. He plans to create a well-balanced offering of academic, athletic and extracurricular programs in the city schools. The school system has adopted both the federal government’s Common Core State Standards and the state’s College and Career Ready Standards, which set standards that should be met in the English language arts, mathematics, history/social studies, science and technical subjects. PrivatE SCHoolS Shelby County also offers more than a

dozen private schools throughout the county. The schools offer a wide range of educational opportunities, and the list includes numerous religious-affiliated schools and several Montessori schools, such as Kingwood Christian School, Cornerstone Christian School, Indian Springs School and Briarwood Christian School. The county is also home to a successful home school network.

South in its division. It was also ranked 37th best overall university in the South according to “America’s Best Colleges” published by U.S. News and World Report, released in 2012. Students can also participate in one of the 11 NCAA Division II athletic teams at the university, including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, tennis, men’s and women’s cross country and volleyball.

UNivErSitY oF MoNtEvallo Located on a sprawling, 160-acre campus in south Shelby County, the University of Montevallo is one of only 26 public liberal arts colleges in the country. The university offers more than 30 degrees programs with approximately 75 majors. The college has enrollment of approximately 3,100 students and employs about 600 people. UM is the highest ranking public master’s level university in Alabama, and was ranked as the 14th best public university in the

JEFFErSoN StatE CoMMUNitY CollEgE Jefferson State Community College operates a campus in Hoover in Shelby County. Opened in 1993, the campus serves more than 5,000 students. Courses offered at the campus include business, biology, chemistry, computer and word processing, agriculture, English, social sciences, mathematics, humanities and speech, art and music appreciation. 39

Ranked 1st in the State & 38th in the Nataion in the Number of Associate Degree Awarded in Registered Nursing

S S

COUNTY SCHOOLS

W H E R E L E A R N I N G N E V E R E N DS

frOM tOP: Lay Lake. shelby springs. beneful Dog Park in Alabaster.

welcome ... to the good life

helby County residents have an unmatched quality of life with a focus on family. The county, which includes 17 municipalities, presents many choices of landscape and communities, both rural and metropolitan. Sections of the county offer a less populated landscape and slower lifestyle, while other areas offer more opportunities with many local conveniences. The various options for living are assets to Shelby County. The communities are woven together to create a county that has anything you could ask for in a hometown. ENviroNMENt Nestled at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, Shelby County has some of Alabama’s most dramatic landscapes. An abundance of scenic creeks rivers and streams are found flowing throughout the county’s diverse terrain forming multiple opportunities for enjoying recreation. These assets are one of the many reasons families and businesses are calling Shelby County home. The Cahaba River and its tributaries wind through the county, offering places for canoeing, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming and rafting. The last freeflowing river in the state, the Cahaba is home to more than 131 species of fish, including many rare types. It is also home to the Cahaba Lily, also known as the Shoal Lily, one of the South’s most distinctively beautiful plants. Lay Lake is located along south Shelby County. Known for its great fishing, the lake has hosted the Bassmaster Classic fishing tournament three times and the State Fishing 50

Tournament in 2013. The Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center is also located on the lake’s banks. The center offers modern conference rooms and accommodations for groups of all sizes. It also has spacious suites, dining and recreation facilities, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, walking and jogging tracks, an Olympic-size pool and a boat launch into the Coosa River. HoUSiNg Housing options are abundant in Shelby County, where you will find everything from estates to farm houses, garden homes to apartments. The county offers humble homes with prices making it possible for first-time buyers to enter the housing market. Also offered are upscale estates in planned communities with selfcontained environments. In part because so much of Shelby County’s housing stock is newly constructed and relatively large, Shelby County enjoys the highest median housing values in the state, approximately 20 percent higher than the next highest county. The median value for owner-occupied homes in Shelby County was $198,900, and the median value for all homes in Alabama was $120,800. CHUrCHES Shelby County is a place where values and principles are LumkinDev-HP-ShelbyCoRep.pdf 1 6/11/13 1:24 PM important and where people care about their neighbors. The

county is home to more than 300 churches. Many different denominations are represented within the county. Local churches provide not just spiritual leadership, but services such as education, daycare and assistance for those in need. QUalitY oF liFE Shelby County is attractive for retailers and other businesses because the county has the highest median household income in the state. In fact, Shelby County median household incomes are approximately 23 percent higher than No. 2 (Madison County). The median household income for Shelby County was $68,883 according to the most recent estimate. The median income for all households in Alabama was $42,934. Shelby County also has the lowest poverty rates in Alabama. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Shelby County’s poverty rate was 7.2 percent. In 2010 the poverty rate spiked to 10.4 after dropping as low as 4.5 percent in 2008. Shelby County and its municipalities have been recognized often in state and national quality of life rankings. Alabaster, Calera and Helena were ranked among the Best Places to Live by Money Magazine in 2009. “Kids Count” has consistently recognized Shelby County as having the best conditions in Alabama for raising children, and as a leader in the U.S, and in 2013 the City of Pelham was named the Best Place to Raise Kids in Alabama by Businessweek and Bloomberg Rankings.

CMY

Leaders in health care

Quality facilities and personnel keep Shelby County residents in good health

he prognosis is in: Shelby County is the state’s healthiest county. In 2013, the county was once again ranked as the healthiest in Alabama in an annual study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute. In fact, the county has ranked at the top of the list every year since the report was first issued in 2010. Shelby County residents have access to superb medical care throughout the county. Even better, health care options are rapidly expanding in the area. From hospitals to private physicians, wellness centers to gyms, Shelby County offers a variety of ways to monitor and improve your health. SHElBY BaPtiSt MEdiCal CENtEr Shelby Baptist Medical Center is the county’s largest health care provider and only hospital. The community, not-for-profit hospital has 192 beds and is part of the Baptist Health System of Alabama. It has 1,000

employees, including more than 150 primary care and specialty care physicians. The medical center offers: • A women’s center and neonatal intensive care unit • Outpatient diagnostic center • Physician’s Medical Center with medical offices and one-day surgery center • Main hospital • Surgical center • Digestive disease center • Cancer center with radiation oncology • Emergency department • Award-winning cardiology center • Physical rehabilitation program with cardiac rehab • Sleep disorders lab • Vein center • Wound care center with hyperbaric oxygen therapy Recent expansions include the construction the $85 million South Tower, which was completed in 2009 and was the largest project in the hospital’s history. The 167,712-square-foot, five-story tower has 100 patient rooms, including private rooms, and new ancillary services at the hospital.

Shelby Baptist also offers several medical clinics throughout the county. It also has received several local and national awards and accreditations. Shelby County is also supporting the development of a proposed HealthSouth 34-bed rehabilitation hospital in Pelham. graNdviEw MEdiCal CENtEr Trinity Medical Center recently purchased the former HealthSouth building on U.S. 280, moving forward with plans to relocate to the building. The hospital will be known as Grandview Medical Center. While Grandview Medical Center will be located just outside county limits, it will create much-needed medical access to the rapidly growing U.S. 280 area. Trinity purchased the hospital building and 14 acres of land, to be developed for parking structures and a medical office building, for $36 million. Trinity also paid $1.6 million for approximately 14 acres of vacant land, adjacent to the hospital building, to be held for future development. Once construction — expected to begin

in late 2013— is underway, Grandview Medical Center is expected to take 18-24 months to complete. St. viNCENt’S oNE NiNEtEEN

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: shelby baptist Medical Center. Pelham yMCA. st. vincent’s One nineteen.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness offers an integrated approach to wellness offering a unique blend of medical, fitness, day spa and diagnostic services. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen is part of St. Vincent’s Health System and a member of Ascension Health, the largest Catholic and nonprofit health system in the nation. One Nineteen offers the following specialties: Internal medicine/urgent care, asthma and allergy, cardiology, dermatology, ENT, neurology, neurosurgery, obstetrics/gynecology, ophthalmology /optometry, orthopedics, pain management, plastic surgery and gastroenterology. One Nineteen is known for its exercise classes, personal training programs and cooking and wellness classes.

YMCas The YMCA of Greater Birmingham has three branches in Shelby County: Alabaster, Pelham and Greystone. While each facility shares the same three tenets of the YMCA - youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility each also offers its respective community unique programs. otHEr MEdiCal FaCilitiES Shelby County is also home to a range of private doctors and clinics, fitness center, gyms, nursing homes and living expenses. Specialists include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, allergists and more. In addition, the Shelby County Health Department provides clinical, environmental, home health and life care services to the general public. ChiltonShelby Mental Health provides mental health services and programs.

History comes to life T

om Walker values sacrifice. His dad was working two jobs to make ends meet when he scraped money together for Walker to go on a sixth grade trip to Washington in 1966. “While I was there, I learned something — that freedom isn’t free,” Walker said. “People sacrificed for that, and we need to take our obligations as citizens more seriously.” Everyone needed to experience that, he said — but not everyone had a dad who could eke out his child’s way to D.C. So the American Village was born. 54

The village, nestled in rural Shelby County not far from I-65, offers a chance to experience “history immersion” — to drill with Washington’s army, sneak a note past guards to Paul Revere’s wife and rail against taxation without representation. “Our country faces a growing national amnesia,” said Walker, founder and CEO of the American Village. “We forget some of the guiding principles that caused us to seek independence.” But he’s seeing the light bulb come on for the nearly 35,000 students a year – and adults too – who take part in the American

Village Classroom experience. “I see 55 year olds carrying fake muskets and drilling in Washington’s army just like the fifth graders,” Walker said. “It comes alive for everyone.” Maylene resident Elizabeth Turnbull called the village a “gem of the area.” “It gives Alabamians the opportunity to see the style and architecture of the time while learning about the practices of the period,” she said. “I spent the Fourth of July there last year and am encouraging others to go this year.” Outside of the school program, most

CLOCkWIsE frOM tOP LEft: veterans shrine. Annual fourth of july Celebration. Washington hall. Matthews Center. Lucille ryals thompson Colonial Chapel. Annual fourth of july Celebration in the barn.

visitors come to the American Village because of big public events like the Independence Day celebration and Memorial Day observance or to take part in a wedding. This summer the village is hosting two weddings a weekend in the Colonial Chapel, a building inspired by the Bruton Parish Church of Williamsburg, Virginia. Other buildings also bring the look of landmarks to Shelby County, like Washington Hall, which is patterned after Mount Vernon, and the American Village Oval Office, the only full-scale replica in the

nation open to the public. And on Veterans Day in November, the village will unveil a new program in conjunction with the completion of the National Veterans Shrine. “This building has a different focus — telling the stories of veterans,” Walker said. It will include the Veterans Register of Honor, “cutting edge technology” that allows visitors to upload a family member’s story and photos. “You will be able to go to a kiosk, search for a veteran and the technology will marry that veteran’s information and photos with

library material related to their service,” Walker said. “It’s a customized mini-movie.” Over time, the register will become a repository for hundreds of thousands of veterans. Classroom kits are available for teachers to assist students in contributing the stories of relatives. The website, Veteransregisterofhonor.com, is scheduled to launch in July 2013. For more information, visit Americanvillage.org or email Veteransregisterofhonor@americanvillage. org. 55

The great outdoors: Escape to Oak Mountain State Park

t nearly 10,000 acres, Pelham’s Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP) is, by far, Alabama’s largest. Whether you’re into hiking, biking, camping or learning about Alabama’s natural offerings, Oak Mountain has something for you. The park, which has entrances off State Park Road and off Alabama 119, features thousands of acres of untouched woodlands and lakes nestled in the midst of one of Alabama’s largest metropolitan areas. With such a wide range of offerings, Oak Mountain State Park welcomes thousands of visitors every year, and appeals to young and old alike. CaMPiNg Oak Mountain State Park offers a large family friendly campground offering visitors a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The campground, which borders Beaver Lake and is surrounded by Central Alabama’s rolling hills, features 30 amp recreational vehicle service, 85 campsites with water, electricity and sewer and 60 primitive campground sites with 56

water nearby. The sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, are surrounded by seven bath houses, coin-operated laundry facilities and a country store. OMSP also features several backcountry campsites along park trails.

Terrace Drive, visitors can enjoy a beach hundreds of miles from the nearest coastline. The beach features volleyball nets, bathrooms, a seasonal concession stand and swimming areas. FiSHiNg

lodgiNg If recreational vehicle or primitive camping isn’t for you, check out Oak Mountain’s fully equipped woodland cabins, which are open year-round. The park includes 10 two-bedroom cabins, each of which features a king bed and two double beds and sleeps a maximum of six guests. The cabins also feature one bathroom, a kitchenette, central heat and air, a porch, outdoor grill and picnic table and Dish Network-enabled flat-screen televisions. Dog-friendly cabins are available upon request for an additional fee. Cabins are situated around the 28-acre Lake Tranquility. BEaCH Along the banks of the park’s lake on

Oak Mountain offers two 85-acre lakes and one 60 acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie. All three lakes are open year-round. No gasoline motors are allowed, but electric trolling motors are welcome, and john-boats are available for rent. Private boats may be launched from any lake. HikiNg Oak Mountain State Park has approximately 51 miles of trails that people enjoy on a daily basis. The trails are categorized by intensity and scenery and include options for novice and expert hikers, as well as bikers. While some trails are steep and rough in places, others offer a fairly easy climb that is perfect for people of all ages.

The trails offer spectacular views of the park, including waterfalls and bluffs.

eight people, two vehicles and one trailer. PiCNiC arEaS

BikiNg Oak Moutainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world class mountain biking trails host numerous national racing events, including the annual XTERRA Southeast Regional Championship. The International Mountain Biking Association named the park to its Epic Trail list in 2010. A BMX track and a pump track are available for enthusiasts. golF CoUrSE The park features the Oaks Golf Club, which is consistently rated by Golf Digest among the top 75 public golf courses in the country. The challenging and affordable 18hole, par 72 course is open year-round.

The park features several picnic pavilions capable of accommodating a few guests all the way up to a gathering of 150. Pavilions may be reserved for events, and caterers are allowed. oak MoUNtaiN iNtErPrEtivE CENtEr The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center is a 2,500-square-foot facility off Terrace Drive, and is a joint venture between the state park, Shelby County and Samford University. The center features a hands-on interactive experience giving children and adults a close-up look at the biodiversity of Alabama and Oak Mountain State Park.

individual donors, local businesses and several foundations. The Alabama Wildlife Center is a leader in the rehabilitation of wild birds, and some of the methods developed at the center are now used in rehabilitation facilities all over the world. The AWCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission also includes educating the public about wildlife. About 15,000 visitors from across the country, and even abroad, visit the AWC each year. gEoCaCHiNg Geocaching is also a popular activity in Oak Mountain State Park. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache hidden at that location. otHEr aCtivitiES

EQUEStriaN The park features guided trail horse rides and pony rides Wednesday-Sunday, and offers stables for those who bring their own horses. The park also recently opened a state-of-the-art equestrian campground featuring 12 sites each capable of housing

alaBaMa wildliFE CENtEr Oak Mountain State Park is also home to the Alabama Wildlife Center, which is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state. The AWC is a nonprofit organization supported by approximately 1,000 dues-paying members as well as

Oak Mountain State Park welcomes kayaks, paddle boards, canoes and most other man-powered vessels. Seasonally, Oak Mountain State Park operates a marina with canoes, pedal boats, YOLO paddle boards, kayaks and fishing boats for rent. Paddles and life preservers are furnished. 57

CityFest Alabaster - Municipal Park This one-day, annual, early summer music festival event in Alabaster has grown every year and features family friendly fun with some great music. Lots of vendors offer food and merchandise for sale and there is a kids zone for fun entertainment. This free event draws more than 50,000 people during the course of the day.

Buck Creek Festival Helena - Helena Amphitheatre Helenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amphitheatre hosts this event that features music, food and merchandise vendors, and the famous duck race in the creek. This two-day event in late spring has something for everyone.

Liberty Day Main Street - Columbiana

Fourth of July at American Village

A patriotic event named in honor of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy food, vendors and music all within walking distance. Held the last weekend in June each year this event continues to be a local favorite.

History comes to life in Montevallo. The event features music, food and family fun along with a great fireworks show to close out Independence Day.

Xterra Southeast Regional Oak Mountain State Park The premier off-road triathlon and off-road trail runs in the early part of summer features some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best athletes. Participants from 30 different states and more than five countries participate.

Bump and Grind Mountain Bike Race Oak Mountain State Park The trails at Oak Mountain State Park have garnered acclaim as being some of the best in the world and this long running summer mountain bike race is one of the most popular with racers from 17 states participating.

Red Diamond Vulcan Cup

(soccer fields across the area)

Double Oak Duathlon Oak Mountain State Park

Held over two weekends in the spring, thousands of some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best youth soccer players converge to compete in this huge soccer event.

This spring event brings world-class athletes to Oak Mountain State Park and features more than 500 participants from 35 states.

SHELBY COUNTY FACTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

17 Municipalities 3 Public School Systems (County, Hoover, Alabaster) University of Montevallo Jefferson State Community College General Aviation Airport Shelby Baptist Medical Center Convenient to Interstate 65, Highway 280 Cahaba River and Coosa River Lay Lake Oak Mountain State Park Pelham Racquet Club The American Village Citizenship Trust Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Future Home - Alabama Firefighters Museum & Education Center • Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena • Alabama National Cemetery • More than 52 Parks

DiscoverShelby.com 62

“Top 100 Cities to live in” -CNN Money Magazine