Opportunity Knocks! Progress 2023

OPPORTUNITY

LAKE MARTIN, ALABAMA

WELCOME

The adage that opportunity only knocks once is wrong. It knocked in 1902 when Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell founded a textile operation that became a Fortune 500 company in Alexander City, and it knocked again in the 1920s when Thomas Martin built a hydro-electric dam at Cherokee Bluffs. It’s knocking now with a plethora of projects that are creating countless opportunities heres. What’s really important is that we’re not waiting for opportunity to knock anymore

we’re creating opportunities.

In this annual progress edition, we focus on those opportunities and more. Some are becoming reality, and others are yet to be grasped. These opportunities create jobs and enhance our quality of life, healthcare, recreational activities and more. One of our most active opportunity drivers is the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance.

LMAEDA officials are playing a role in reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign-sourced graphite, a key component in electric vehicle production. The processing plant now under construction in Kellyton opens more conversations within the EV industry, and according to LMAEDA is courting those interests and more.

Russell Lands created an opportunity to add 50-plus new jobs when they launched their newest neighborhood at Wicker Point – a world-class golf course designed by the renowned Bill Coore and two-time Masters champion “Gentle Ben” Crenshaw. This exclusive centerpiece of The Heritage will open more opportunities in our communities around the lake. Check out the article on page 110 to learn more.

In addition, Ben and Luanne Russell took the opportunity to honor Ben’s grandfather with the Legacy project, a geriatric center at Russell Medical that will include independent care and assisted living options. This project creates a unique Lake Martin retirement scenario and will add even more jobs in the area. See that article on page 30.

Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller saw an opportunity to draw audiences from across the Southeast when she launched the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival (page 26), and New Site Mayor Phil Blasingame seized an opportunity to bring 25 manufacturing jobs to his community when he invited Cushion Source to visit a former textile building here (page 92). We have an opportunity to attract agricultural tourism to the area, and on page 60, you’ll learn property for the project has already been purchased near Jackson’s Gap. It goes on and on.

We’ve included just a few of the many opportunities that have come to our door in this progress edition, and one thing is clear: Opportunity is more than just knocking in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. It’s making a home here.

OUR TEAM

Chairman - KENNETH BOONE

General Manager - TIPPY HUNTER

Editor-in-chief - BETSY ILER

Art Director - AUDRA SPEARS

Audience Development Director - ERIN BURTON

Newspaper Managing Editor - LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN

Business Manager - ANGELA MULLINS

ALEXANDER CITY

Magazine Writer - BREANNA MANLEY

Multimedia Reporter - WILLIAM MARLOW

Multimedia Reporter - ABIGAIL MURPHY

Sports Editor - HENRY ZIMMER

Production Manager - LEE CHAMPION

Production Assistant - MAC DAVIS

Office Clerk - LINDA EWING

Advertising Manager - RENEE TRICE

Advertising Sales - EMILY GREGG

Advertising Sales - HIDEY ARRINGTON

ELMORE COUNTY

News Editor - CLIFF WILLIAMS

Sports Editor - DALTON MIDDLETON

Advertising Manager - MARILYN HAWKINS

Advertising Sales - SHERYL JENNINGS

CONTRIBUTORS

KENNETH BOONE

AUDRA SPEARS

ABIGAIL MURPHY

WILLAM MARLOW

CLIFF WILLIAMS

HENRY ZIMMER

LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc.

548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-234-4281 | alexcityoutlook.com | lakemagazine.life

127 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 thewetumpkaherald.com | tallasseetribune.com

Tippy Hunter, General Manager

GONE FISHING

Lake Martin’s winter season is a winner for anglers and local merchants

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & KENNETH BOONE

Fishing tournaments are scheduled every weekend during the winter season on Lake Martin

Now a year-round destination, Lake Martin has grown as a fishing destination over the last decade, with anglers visiting the area to reel in bass, striper, crappie and catfish from the boat or the bank. As local restaurants, lodging venues, gas stations and other service venues grow more attentive to visiting anglers’ needs, start-up business opportunities are on the table.

“Lake Martin is a really good place for anglers to build their skills, and it’s a good place for electronics – not only in locating fish but also catching them,” said Major League Fishing Tour Bass Pro Greg Vinson, who grew up on Lake Martin. “But it’s been a while since we’ve had a good tackle shop in the area. I know a lot of people shop online now, but I really miss a local tackle shop.”

A tackle shop operated by knowledgeable personnel who are familiar with fishing Lake Martin could draw customers from an angler population that seeks help with problem solving, lake information and on-hand supplies, Vinson said.

“If you don’t have the bait the fish are biting on a particular day, it’d be great to have a tackle shop

around where you could get one,” Vinson said. “Whoever is running a local tackle shop is a good contact for visitors, too.

“With the growth we’ve had around the lake, I have seen a huge spike in people asking me how to catch fish on Lake Martin. A local tackle shop could really help those people out and benefit in the process. Seeing how many people want to catch fish on the lake, how good the fishing is on Lake Martin, it’s really a special place. You can use simple techniques to catch fish here. That’s one of the reasons you see so many high school events on the lake.”

Mike Freeman at OGS Tournaments sees the live bait potential as an added boost for a local tackle shop.

“There is nowhere to buy local live bait. None of the marinas offer any live bait. A lot of catfish, striper and crappie fishermen like to use live bait a lot of the time,” Freeman said. “That’s a huge difference between Lake Martin and other lakes. We’re definitely missing out. On other lakes, like Lay Lake, you can pull up, get it and go.

“But a local tackle shop could do more than bait. We had a tournament recently where one of the guys lost his trolling motor. It just quit. He couldn’t find a replacement motor, so he had to get permission to switch to another boat. That was a missed opportunity for a shop.”

Noting that staffing a tackle shop could be a challenge in the current job market, Freeman suggested that food items could be added to a vending machine tackle shop, similar to the Patriot gas station at the intersection of state routes 63 and 128.

“The merchandise could be inside a small building or kiosk, with a microwave there and food in the machines. A lot of fishermen stop at that station now,” Freeman said. “A few of those kiosks with lake access would be great.”

Food on the water is a priority for Vinson as well, and he said a person who is creative about providing foodservice could capitalize on tournament weekends at the lake.

“I can’t count how many times we’ve been out on the lake and get hungry. It’s fun to go to a restaurant, but the lines are an hour long sometimes. If I’m out fishing a tournament, I don’t have time to stop fishing to get something to eat, but if someone could run me out a burger, they could

High school tournaments bring families and revenue to the lake area

kill it out there on a tournament day,” he said.

Putting that idea into action would require a personal watercraft or fast boat outfitted with coolers that could keep food hot or cold.

“If someone perfected that business, they could kill it. Existing restaurants around the lake are overwhelmed. It would be a great opportunity for someone,” Vinson said. “But here’s the catch to that idea: Whoever starts that business, I have room for another sponsor.”

The number of tournaments at every level of competition on Lake Martin has grown exponentially in recent years. From high school to big name professional tours, tournaments are an economic boon to lake communities. Most of those tournaments are held at Wind Creek State Park.

Centrally located between the river and the south end of Lake Martin, WCSP offers a central location on the east side of the lake and is well equipped for tournaments. The docks are plentiful for early morning launches, as well as afternoon weigh-ins; parking is ample for a large number of trucks with trailers; the marina general store offers a variety of supplies; and the shaded spectator area includes stadium seating. It is such a popular venue that the park stays booked with two or even three tournaments nearly every weekend, especially in winter.

But WCSP is a long way from Parker Creek for a fisherman on a tournament weigh-in. It takes a lot of fuel and a lot of time to make the run in a boat; yet, anglers don’t want to miss the feeding windows for the plentiful bass in the upper reaches of the lake.

“We could use more tournament locations on the lower end of the lake,” Vinson said.

While Chuck’s Marina on the southeast shore of Lake Martin at Blue Creek has hosted a few fishing

tourna ments in recent years, most of the marinas on the lake do not have enough room to accommodate tournaments.

“The issue is that property values are at a premium,” Vinson said. “I think it would take a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Alabama Power to pull it off.”

“What fishermen spend in the area feeds our towns in the winter months,” Freeman said. “You have to cater to the anglers.”

Catering to anglers means providing lodging with double parking spaces for trailers, power points for fishing boat batteries and electronics, and food at 4 a.m. as fishermen prepare to launch at daylight.

“If you go to Lake Guntersville or Lake Eufala, they cater to those fishermen. Hotels change their breakfast times for anglers, so fishermen can get their breakfast,” Freeman said.

Lodging also is in short supply in the lake area. While the idea of a lodge has been tossed around in conversation for several years, OGS Tournament owner Vivian Autrey said the situation is desperate and even a smaller scale business would help.

“Somebody could build a bunch of little cabins – not much bigger than 12 by 12 – for anglers to sleep in. Two bunkbeds and a refrigerator with parking for trucks and trailers and some security – maybe gated because fishermen are nervous about leaving boats outside unattended,” Autrey said. “It wouldn’t have to be fancy. Just so they could sleep soundly.”

Such attention to the needs of fishermen adds a positive vibe to anglers’ perception of spending

Visiting anglers need pull-thru parking and electrical hookups to charge their equipment

Lake Martin is known for its plentiful bass

time at Lake Martin, Freeman said.

“It makes those fishermen feel like the area understands their needs and timeframes and makes their business around them,” he explained.

Boat ramp space also is at a premium in some areas of Lake Martin, most especially at Kowaliga, where the lot at the bridge fills early on weekends year-round, not just during fishing season.

“It’s such a good section of the lake,” explained Vinson. “The Real Island area is almost a different lake, as far as fishing is concerned. It’s time to expand that. The ramp area is not big enough.”

“If you get there late on a Saturday in midsummer, you can’t park there, so you have to go find another ramp,” Freeman said.

It’s not unusual to see trucks with trailers parked along the roadside there, a safety hazard as traffic crosses the bridge at 55 miles per hour.

“If somebody could just offer some parking nearby, it would help,” Freeman added.

“We have some great opportunities on this lake,” Vinson said. “If somebody was creative, they could start a business here just so they could fish on Lake Martin. The business wouldn’t even have to be directly related to fishing. You just have to be creative.”

Tournament anglers launch at daybreak, so restaurants that are open early get their breakfast business

LAKE MARTIN DADEVILLE AREA CHAMBER

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

From the cozy atmosphere accompanying the square to the smalltown charm radiating past the city limits, Dadeville has it all.

The Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber is one of the many great resources in Dadeville. The board of directors and members are eager to point the way to local activities, dining and shopping spots.

“I can’t say enough good things about Dadeville. We are growing. We have the best group of people here in this town. Everybody wants the same thing – we want the best for our town,” said Peggy Bullard, Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber president.

According to Bullard, Dadeville has recreational activities covered for all ages. With the summer months inching forward slowly but surely, Dadeville is gearing up for the youth sports leagues and their upcoming seasons.

“All of our ball leagues are starting up now. We’ve got youth football, baseball and soccer. We just have so many things to offer as far as sports going on right now. The cheerleaders are about to start up, too,” Bullard explained.

Along with providing kids with opportunities to explore sports at a young age, Dadeville also has made it a priority to create safe and accessible.

Several parks throughout Dadeville offer a variety of stellar amenities.

Located on Young Street in Dadeville, Keebler Park offers residents the opportunity to stroll through nature on a quarter-mile paved path. The Stillwaters community brings yet

another park to the outskirts of the community. Pennington Park just off the town square is a yearround center of activity.

Dadeville also has a number of churches. Along with offering regular weekly services, many of the churches host community events and provide activities for all ages to enjoy. Vacation Bible School is a great resource for children to learn faith-based lessons while also enjoying fun activities with friends and family.

“All of the churches do VBS, and they do a good job with it. They have all kinds of stuff to offer the kids. The churches have such good lessons they teach, too,” Bullard said.

These recreational outlets are not the only things booming in Dadeville. Over the past year or so, Dadeville has seen an increase in businesses, some owned by Dadeville residents themselves and some out-of-towners who are now part of the community.

“There’s a lot of new businesses coming into Dadeville. New construction is going on with different types of business coming to the area. There have been so many changes within the past 20 years, especially on County road 49,” said second vice president of the chamber, Gary Warren.

“We have a lot of people coming from all over and they’re bringing these business ideas. The businesspeople who come in here are creating venues for people to go and do things. The businesses that are coming in are mom-and-pop businesses. There’s supposed to be some big things coming in on U.S. Route 280, too,” Warren explained.

The chamber runs an active Facebook page, and its timeline supports businesses in and around the Dadeville area. The chamber page frequently shares posts from the businesses’ pages, extending the reach of local merchants and promoting the business. Check out their Facebook page for updates and news about what’s going on around Dadeville.

Lake Martin definitely plays a role in good times for residents and visitors of the county, but the community element of places like Dadeville draws people in and invites them to stay.

Peggy Bullard

Every dollar you save counts.

EASY WAYS TO SAVE 4

1 2

Before you bounce, turn it down. Before leaving, turn down the thermostat. No need to heat an empty house.

Let your dishwasher dominate. Washing dishes by hand actually uses more energy (and water ... and time) than your dishwasher. Also, check to see if your dishwasher has an “energy saving” mode.

3 4

Winner, winner…oven dinner. If you have an electric stove, cooking with your oven saves more energy than with your range.

Keep a warm heart, but cold water. Wash your clothes with cold water because many detergents are formulated to clean just as well on that setting.

DOWNTURN LOOKS UP

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS, BETSY ILER AND JUSTIN CLAYTON

Don’t let the shaky global economy get you down; it could be rife with opportunities, said Lee Williams of Nowlin & Associates wealth management firm and immediate past chairman of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.

“Typically, more unique opportunities exist when there is uncertainty,” Williams explained. “When things are going well, the opportunities are there, but they’re not as grand as when people are a little bit fearful. Warren Buffet says, ‘Be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy.’

“At this time in Alexander City and the Lake Martin area, you cannot look at what is going on and get a sense of how everything else is doing in the world. In the last five to seven years, we have been in a transition period of explosive growth, and it hasn’t slowed down.”

Williams cited continuing construction in the area as evidence, noting that, though real estate prices have come down some, properties still command high prices. Restaurants in the area remain busy, and jobs are still available.

“It’s the things that are in the pipeline. Things we all know about: the new high school that is in the

planning stages; the Holiday Inn Express that is coming; the Chick-fil-A that recently opened. We’re hoping to see a Publix come in; the new pizza place and the brewery at the Bud Porch Center; Jes & Gray Living downtown. Look at what the hospital is doing with the Legacy project. These are all coming together at the same time, and they are driven, by and large, by what’s going on at the lake.”

The local economy has shifted from a manufacturing town to a service area, Williams said, and he purported that is not a bad situation.

“A lot of great jobs, new jobs, and a lot of opportunities will come from all these services coming on line. It’s at least a $150 million investment,” he said.

“Then consider what’s happening at Wicker Point – The Heritage and the Coore and Crenshaw golf course. These are projects that surpass by far what is going on in town, and they all fit together,” Williams said. “It is a generational shift. The type of investments that are being made right now happen once in 50 or a hundred years.

“The opportunity is to figure out how to cater to them.”

A downtown microbrewery coming soon

Jes & Gray Living

Wicker Point golf at The Heritage

Groundbreaking for the Legacy project

THE DADEVILLE DIFFERENCE

Businesses boom as Dadeville turns up the heat to develop the courthouse square and more

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS

Dadeville’s business boom is ongoing and has caught the attention of current business owners, entrepreneurs and residents alike who have seen and seized opportunities for growth in Tallapoosa County’s seat. With businesses popping up through downtown and on major roadways throughout the city, more heads are turning now than ever before.

Though new businesses are fun and exciting to explore, businesses that have been around for a while are still drawing people in by updating their storefronts and offering unique merchandise with quality customer service that turns occasional customers into regulars.

Taking advantage of the boom takes flexibility. Dadeville’s 34 Market is a prime example of a revitalized business. Located along state Route 34, this

market originally opened a few years ago as a restaurant. Owners Don Arthur and his wife, Jessica, converted the restaurant into a market following the pandemic, and it has since become a go-to spot for locals, providing opportunities for them to dress up meals with fresher ingredients. Recently, renovations kicked off in the market to add the 34 Market Bottleshop for customers, too.

On the courthouse square at the heart of Dadeville, Raining Dogs Gallery, which opened in 2018, supports local artists through exhibit opportunities and fosters interest in art through a partnership with Everything’s Art. A volunteer-driven nonprofit, Everything’s Art promotes arts education throughout the community.

“We have many artists in the area, and they are very good, very diverse,” said Raining Dogs Gallery owner Will York.

Just around the corner from the gallery sits a tourism opportunity in progress. The Miller Hotel, which bleeds with a rich history, will soon open its doors once again, this time in honor of Nora Miller. Miller played a significant role in the site selection of Martin Dam nearly a hundred years ago. She owned several buildings in town, one of the most notable being the city’s new bed and breakfast venture.

But this bed and breakfast will be much more than a place to rest for the night. New owner Dwayne Britton is teaming up with local restauranteur, Dennis

Aerial view of the courthouse square

Kirkland of Fusion Grill to bring a glimpse of the roaring ’20s to downtown. The cohesive experience will include unique dishes and period-themed cocktails, as well as a place to hang lake towels and catch up on some sleep after a busy day at the lake.

With Lake Martin being the go-to spot for summer vacations, there are never enough places to stay for a night or two. But this new venture on the east side of the lake will offer visitors more experiences in the area. In addition, sales tax and lodging revenues could benefit the city infrastructure and attract jobs.

Britton also has connections across the square with a building that is soon to be turned into a great place to enjoy live music and the company of friends over a cocktail. Stacey and Jeremy Jeffcoat have teamed up with Britton to open The Funky Goat, a new bar and music venue that will serve up a funky and eclectic vibe.

“We’re just excited to be part of what’s going on in Dadeville. Dadeville’s having this revitalization, and it’s been fun to watch. People are excited about the revitalization,” Jeffcoat said.

The Funky Goat will be the second bar the couple has opened, following the success of The Local at 41 Main in Alexander City. The bar will regularly host a wide array of musicians and feature signature cocktails sourced directly from Alabamabased ingredients. By adding another music venue to Dadeville’s mix, the city could see an even greater music scene within the coming years.

Another must-visit venue in Dadeville is Zazu’s Verandah, which has been a dedicated casual event venue for quite a while. Owners Rick and Mitzy Hidding pride themselves on giving musicians and residents alike the opportunity to come together and enjoy a great evening out. The venue

even hosted a portion of the 2022 Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival, drawing crowds further into the downtown scene of Dadeville.

Along with all the great businesses contributing to the art scene, Dadeville is home to great boutiques, gift shops and all-around feel-good stores. Both old and new shops line the square as well as state Route 49 and beyond.

Owner and Reeltown native Billie Shae Gray opened Ellaby boutique to bring residents classy and comfortable attire paired with jewelry, shoes and must-buy gift items. Gray opened the boutique a little over two years ago and was thankful to be able to draw customers closer to shops that rival the ones available in bigger cities like Atlanta and Birmingham.

“I felt like Dadeville needed this. People come in and are so glad to have the store here,” Gray said.

One of the feel-good shops that’s made its mark on Dadeville is The Yarn Shop Around the Corner. Owner Teresa McKelvey is making history by being part of one of the handful of shops statewide that carries specialty, hand-dyed fibers, including alpaca, mohair, cashmere and recycled materials.

Along with offering hard-to-come-by materials, McKelvey invites visitors to stop in, stay a while and converse with others working on projects. With the store including a cozy living room setting, visitors can mingle and get the chance to connect with others.

Dadeville continues to grow and prosper by providing opportunities for musicians, artists and visitors, as well as residents. Whatever you want to do, you’ll find Dadeville is the place to do it.

To learn more about the growing opportunities in Dadeville, visit dadevillechamber.com.

The Dadeville square is home to several shops and entertainment venues

OPPORTUNITY BREAKS DOWN THE DOOR

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Opportunities aren’t merely knocking in the Lake Martin area – they are breaking down the door, according to Alexander City Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jacob Meacham. From natural resources to tourism, retail to agriculture, service to industry, there is room here for any type of business, and participation is open to the whole community and beyond. The challenge, Meacham said, is in how to make it happen.

Numbers are key to exploring opportunities with the potential for success, Meacham explained. And tourism is among the top contenders.

“We can look at the tourism figures to see where opportunities lie; look at trends in retail sales tax to see where opportunities exist,” he said. “We have to see where the market demand lies. Developers will look at that. What customers live here? What’s the education level? The income level?”

The Lake Martin area has ample space for new business, be it commercial or retail, Meacham noted. State route 280 is a high traffic area with high visibility. Developable land is available to meet market demands.

“Look at what’s not here and also at what is here but could be improved,” he said. “Sporting goods, apparel, sporting supplies that mesh with outdoor recreation. We have significant opportunities for that here.”

From a retail perspective, Meacham said, residents would like to see more entertainment spaces for young people – a trampoline park, bowling alleys, arcades.

“A theme emerges: We need something for our kids. But the challenge there is that kids are in school all day, not out spending money at entertainment venues. There has to be enough business in a project to be profitable after the initial investment, the hours put in, the workforce, the utilities, insurance and other costs to cover.

“It’s easy to say we need it. The key is finding out how it works.”

To identify some of those opportunities, take a

drive. Travel the routes and take note of what is missing. Find things that blend residents with tourism.

“Businesses that can do that will be successful,” Meacham said. “A lot of local businesses do it well with quality and good service. A lot of local businesses provide the flavor of being local. Big “B,” Cloud Nine, Radio Shack. They have molded their businesses and grown. Jake’s is doing it right. They have adapted, evolved and grown in complement to the needs of their customers.”

But not all local business opportunities are tied to Lake Martin, he added.

“Although quality of life matters, businesses are looking for available workforce, transportation, infrastructure. A real opportunity is to better train the workforce for the jobs in service, manufacturing trades and healthcare. But the need is now. We can’t wait on our K-12 kids to grow up. We have to focus on that but not count on it in the short term. So we have to reach out to the population who are able but not working. Maybe they don’t know about the jobs. Maybe they need training.

“We can look at what others are doing and see that some of those resources already exist in our community in education, the agency support career center at CACC, employer incentives. Our Lake Martin Area Economic Development Agency is ready. The chamber is ready. More than ever, now is the time to be at the table.”

The intersection at 280 and 63 is poised for development

Jacob Meacham

Chad Wilson shows a little love for his hometown with a concert on Main Street

MUSIC IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & CLIFF WILLIAMS

Music has always been a big part of the Lake Martin area. With great outdoor venues to accommodate large crowds, the music scene continues to grow, drawing in a number of big artists and a large percentage of tourists each year. Though local and out-of-state artists can gain exposure from being part of a concert in the area, residents also get the opportunity to enjoy music from different genres with family and friends.

One of the biggest outdoor venues in the area is Lake Martin Amphitheater, affectionately called “The Amp,” which hosts a highly anticipated Fourth of July fireworks show and concert each year. In the past, the Fourth of July concert has featured artists such as Andrew Jannakos, who headlined the event last year. Jannakos’ appearance sparked excitement throughout the area when his viral online presence skyrocketed during a season 16 tenure on NBC’s The Voice.

Along with organizers who score up-and-coming musicians, local venues offer musicians the chance to serenade the crowd. The Jazz Fest concert series draws a large crowd each year, bringing visitors to the area to spend time and money throughout the community

during their extended stays. One of the most widely attended music events in Alexander City, Jazz Fest showcases artists from all across the country. This two-day concert series takes place at Strand Park in Alexander City on Friday night of the second weekend in June. The Saturday evening performance is held at The Amp.

The 2022 lineup featured headlining artist, Taylor Hicks, a platinum recording artist and American Idol winner. Originally from around the area, Hicks was eager to return to Jazz Fest. The festival is one of the largest free outdoor concerts in the state and provides several opportunities to both the artists and the attendees. Small and big artists can share their love of music and gain more recognition while attendees can enjoy a night out with friends and family and form connections throughout the community. Other artists that contributed to the lineup this last year included Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression and Tristen Gressett, a recent top contestant of American Idol from Pell City, Alabama.

Another venue that’s grown in popularity is Russell Crossroads, which hosts music events throughout the year. Musicians from around the Southeast take to the Town Green stage on Friday nights all summer long, inviting visitors to meet up at these free concerts and giving tourists one more event to attend at the lake. The Friday on the

Green summer concert series begins in May and lasts through October. These casual concerts have brought artists such as Shades of Gray, the Murray Brown Band and Cameron DuBois and Bama Sound to the area. Lawn games and food trucks add to the ambiance as this popular summer series that offers families a chance to wind down from the week and enjoy time together at Lake Martin. Russell Crossroads also hosted Russell Lands’ Labor Day concert last year. Previously held at The Amp, coordinators wanted to try something

different and used the Town Green to showcase big name artists. The two-day event included performances by The Stews, Supper Club and Hotel Fiction – all of which have been growing their music careers on music streaming platforms like Spotify. Local band, The Bank Walkers, also took to the stage.

Memorial Day weekend is another opportunity to enjoy great music at Russell Crossroads. The RXR Fest has invited Dixie Red, Happy Landing and the Russell Craig Band to share their music with lake audiences.

The Lake Martin Young Professionals sponsor a summer concert series at Strand Park on the first Thursday of each month from April to August. These Strand Sessions are free to attend and are a great opportunity for kids to play on the grassy hillside while parents socialize. Bring a picnic, pick up dinner and a beer from a downtown entertainment district vendor – or better yet, have dinner delivered to you at the park. Having so many spacious and accommodating outdoor venues for shows benefits the community in many ways. Though the summertime is prime time for concerts in the area, music happens all year long here.

A 4th of July concert is held on the high school lawn every year with fireworks after dark

Summer is music season at the lake and in town

Concerts at The Amp draw crowds

Most of the events are free to the public, and occasionally, concertgoers can bring their dogs, as long as the pups are leashed.

When the summer months drift away, residents and visitors find music at indoor venues around Lake Martin. On the Dadeville side of the lake, Zazu’s Verandah, Lake Martin Pizza Company, Copper’s Grill are just a few of the venues that offer entertainment. The Local at 41 Main and other hotspots keep the music playing in Alexander City. And on the lake’s west side, there’s The Social, Kowaliga, The Landing at Parker Creek and more.

For more information, concert dates and concert lineups, check both the Dadeville and Alexander City Chamber of Commerce webpages, as well as the Russell Lands website. The music will be drifting in from all different directions, and you don’t want to miss hearing and supporting musicians from all walks of life.

Main Street closes a block and turns up the heat

Lake Martin Pizza in Dadeville is one of more than a dozen songwriter festival venues

American Idol’s Taylor Hicks plays at Jazz Fest in June

CREATING A LEGACY

Russell Medical $25 million healthcare project will draw retirees to the area

STORY BY LIZI ARBOGAST GWIN & BETSY ILER

Asignature construction project, The Legacy at Russell Medical, will have a profound impact in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties, creating jobs, drawing new residents to Alexander City and generating new service businesses in the area. The multi-building facility will be home to the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care, as well as independent and assisted living housing, said Kimberly Carter, Russell Medical’s manager of physical and busi-

ness development.

Funded by a $25 million donation from Ben and Luanne Russell, the project will include three construction phases, all of which have broken ground. The project also includes a $1.5 million endowment that will create a geriatric chair position through the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In that position, Dr. Robert Edwards, a physician who was associated with Russell Medical several years ago, will return to the area when the Center for

The Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care will be completed first with independent and assisted living facilities to follow

Advanced Care opens in September 2024.

“The endowment will allow him to do research projects in his field,” Carter said. “To have that here is a big deal. There are only about 7,000 geriatricians in the entire country, so for Alexander City to have one and have an endowed chair, it’s going to gain a lot of coverage from medical schools and hopefully help our physician recruitment.”

Other specialities offered at the advanced care building also will be new to Russell Medical, opening up new revenue streams for the hospital and creating more extensive care for the area.

The project is a perfect economic fit, as the median age in Tallapoosa County is higher than any other community in the state.

“There are more nursing home beds here than anywhere else in the state. It is an interesting pocket for aging,” said Kelly Adams, a certified senior advisor with Alexander City’s Beyond Home Care.

As Lake Martin continues to draw a retiring population, that trend is likely to continue, and Russell Medical’s investment in geriatric medicine under-

scores the trend.

“I don’t think most people realize what that facility is going to do for this area. To have that resource here and be able to recruit specialists in geriatric psychology, nephrology and other medical services for the aging – that is huge. To have that resource is going to be incredible for this area. These are better resources than some of the larger cities around us are providing,” Adams explained.

The project likely will spawn additional new business – service businesses that cater to the aging population, from medical equipment rentals to restaurants, mobile beauty services, concierge services, caregiving providers and more.

“In the short term, the economic impact is huge,” Carter said. “We’re doing as much as we can to hire local contractors and buy our goods locally. That’s very important to the Russells and to the hospital, so we are trying to keep as much here as possible so all that revenue generated stays in our community.”

By the time the project is completed, two new large facilities and 26 new homes will be on city

Though two years from completion, there already is a waiting list for some of the facilities

The decor will be similar to the craftsman feel of Lake Martin homes

utilities and filled with people buying goods and services in ander City.

In addition to the direct financial impact, having quality healthcare will be an important factor when people are making decisions about relocating and where to retire.

The facilities themselves will be state-of-the-art.

“We work with UAB’s Geriatric and Palliative Care Unit on the design of the floorplan as well as working with our interior designers on the things that will go in the building,” Carter said.

The first of the buildings slated for completion is

the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care, a 26,000-square-foot facility that will offer four specialities, including geriatrics, endocrinology, rheumatology and adult psychiatry. With only 30 feet between the new building and The Mill Two-Eighty, the two will be similar in architecture, which will allow for upgrades at The Mill Two-Eighty, such as internet and a new HVAC system.

“We are really excited about that because preCOVID, we didn’t think we’d need much there,” Carter said. “Then we started utilizing that as a testing and vaccination center and realized we need internet over there; we need reliable HVAC units. So, all those things sparked this idea of how we can do upgrades to that facility, too.”

The road between The Mill TwoEighty’s parking lot and Russell Medical will be closed, ensuring more safety for guests at the former Russell Brands retail store turned hospital-owned event center. Golf cart paths throughout the campus will lead to Sterling Gate – the senior living campus that is part of this project.

Within Sterling Gate will be the Hendrix Cottages, including 26 independent living homes, and the Ben and Luanne Russell Assisted Living Lodge, a 30,000-squarefoot facility with 32 rooms. Both of these will be cash-based, meaning fees won’t be covered by insurance. The homes and rooms will be leased directly from Russell Medical.

“Mr. Ben is on our board, so he hears the struggles about insurance and reimbursements,” Carter said. “Insurance companies continually cut costs and increase what qualifies for in-patient care. So, as those just tighten and tighten, the board was looking at how we can diversify revenue streams, so we can continue into the future.”

The Hendrix Cottages will be completed in phases of four homes each. The first should be ready for move-in around April, barring weather slowing down construction. All 26 are expected to be completed by March 2025.

Taking architecture ideas from Russell Lands, all 26 cottages will be 1,314 square feet but will look and feel very different. The commu-

The project puts healthcare close to home for an aging population

Russell Medical’s Jim Peace said the scope of the project will include a geriatric chair

Russell Medical also is home to a UAB Cancer Center office; here, pediatrician Dr. B.B. Sellers shares his own cancer story with others at a Russell Medical survivors dinner

nity also will have a pavilion and golf cart access to the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex and the Senior Activity Center.

“Independent living is just a very low maintenance lifestyle,” Carter said. “Our goal is to keep them as mobile as possible. We would hope they come eat in the cafeteria, go to the grocery store and take out the trash. But it’s really just an easier way of life to start that transition into assisted liv-

ing.”

The final phase of this project will be the assisted living facility; the only portion of this building that has been started so far is laying the pad. More than 45,000 yards of dirt were brought onto the site, so that must settle before any construction begins. It is expected to be finished late 2025. This final phase will be a 24/7 standalone facility, including a concierge, bistro, kitchen, on-site clinician space and more.

Despite being more than two years from completion, there are already 30 people on Carter’s waiting list for the assisted living facility. Eighty-seven people from seven states already have signed up for the cottages.

“We have a lot of people who moved to the lake and want to get their parents here,” Carter said. “We really hope to bring in some new people who have expendable income and can give back to our community.”

Once all construction is complete, an extensive re-planting plan will go into place. “We wanted to keep as much of the natural aesthetic as possible,” Carter said. “That was very important to Mr. Ben. We’ve got a plan. We have 20 varieties of trees and bushes that we are going to plant back, so it won’t just be a flat open property.”

This signature project will pave the way for creation of many service businesses in the area

The $25 million project will be completed by 2025

Helping Hands

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

The number of helping hands throughout the Lake Martin community has never been scarce. One of the most beloved organizations within the community is the Lake Martin Area United Way, which is much more than just a nonprofit organization. Though raising money is a huge aspect of what United Way does for the surrounding community, the organization provides hope to those who need it and offers philanthropic opportunities beyond financial donations. The nonprofit can do so through services and initiatives in collaboration with their 27 partnering agencies. a

“We’re more than just a fundraising organization. We do a lot more that I want people to be aware of,” said LMAUW Executive Director Courtney Layfield.

Education, income, health and basic needs are all addressed through the help of United Way and its agencies. Among them are Alexander City Rescue Squad, Coosa County Sheriff’s Reserve and Meals on Wheels. A complete list of the agencies involved can be found on the LMAUW website.

“United Way gives back in so many ways. People don’t know the total extent of what we do,” Layfield said.

Layfield accepted the executive director position for the area United Way more than a year ago and

since then has been making her mark to improve the impact of United Way.

When taking on the position, it was crucial to Layfield to get back out in the community after the pandemic and connect with residents. The lasting effects of the pandemic were substantial for organizations like the local United Way, adversely affecting the close connection the organization has with the community. With a dedicated team, Layfield is excited to rekindle that connection and make the 2023 campaign successful.

“Luckily, this year it’s been great. We’ve been able to get out to a lot more workplaces to do the workplace campaigns and talk to the employees, show our video, kind of more of that personal touch than we’ve been able to do the last couple of years due to the pandemic,” Layfield explained.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Because of You,” and it addresses the public by reminding them the organization couldn’t give back if it wasn’t for the donations they receive. The campaign was launched in September and, by December, the community raised over $313,000 of the $515,000 goal.

Private donations are just one of the many ways to support United Way. Throughout the year, the organization puts on events to involve the public and share their thanks. One of the organization’s most popular events is the fashion show and silent auction.

Each year, the fashion show and silent auction are hosted as a singular event in downtown Alexander City to raise funds for the year’s campaign. The event is held in the United Way parking lot with volunteer models who wear clothing and accessories

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & BETSY ILER

Monthly campaign updates celebrate the progress toward United Way goals

Volunteers turn out to clean up the schools for a new term on the annual Day of Action

from local boutiques. All proceeds go to the campaign.

Another way to assist United Way is through their Day of Action events, which often benefit local schools. Upgrading the landscaping, painting and cleaning are just some of the ways United Way volunteers support local education.

“In 2022, we held two separate Day of Action events. The first one happened on June 24 and was held at Stephens Elementary School in Alexander City and Dadeville Elementary School in Dadeville. We had over a hundred volunteers in June. It was community volunteers, United Way agencies and board members, principals, teachers, school board members, students. Our second Day of Action was held on July 29 at Coosa Central High School. We had over 60 volunteers show up just for Coosa, again a mix of students and community members,” Layfield said.

Those who wish to become more involved with United Way beyond the occasional donation can get involved with the leadership societies made available by United Way.

The Red Feather Leadership Society was founded in 1998 and promotes the participation of government and business leaders within the organization. Those involved in this society are expected to give at least $1,000 a year in donations.

The Young Leaders Society is geared toward the younger generation and invites anyone who is interested in giving back to join. Although the focus of this society is to make financial contributions, it also serves as an opportunity for those involved to

make professional connections through local volunteerism and philanthropy. This society’s members are expected to give between $500 and $999 in donations.

Along with helping those in need with bills, food or additional resources, a 2-1-1 initiative connects residents with helpful representatives via call, text, or chat. The initiative was launched directly following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Originally meant to aid those affected by disaster, the tool was transformed to offer even more assistance in matters of all sorts, including mental health/health services, disaster relief/recovery and utilities/housing services. To talk over the phone, simply dial 2-1-1. Those needing assistance also could chat online at 211connectsalabama.org or text a message to 888421-1266.

The LMAUW also has an ongoing partnership with The Home Depot, the local retail chain store, to provide assistance. Through The Home Depot Veteran’s Home Repair Program, renovations and repairs are made on homes. Local volunteers are welcome to participate in this program. Another program instilled through United Way is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which provides food and shelter through approved partner agencies.

With so many resources available through United Way, it’s easy for local residents to offer hope. Sometimes offering that helpful hand makes all the difference. To learn more or get involved, visit the United Way team at 17 Main St. in downtown Alexander City. Layfield and her team can be reached by phone at 256-329-3600.

“

“

We’re more than just a fundraising organization. We do a lot more that I want people to be aware of.

- Courtney Layfield

MORE FOR KIDS

Recreational opportunities for kids aren’t in short supply when it comes to Tallapoosa County. With youth sports, dance and even art resources spread throughout the area, chances are there is more than one that would appeal to children as they learn important life lessons from coaches, instructors and teachers.

Located just inside the Charles E. Bailey Sportsplex is the Eva Fuller Community Center where local youth participate in a diverse collection of sports. The center offers basketball, football, baseball, softball, cheerleading and more. All youth sports include ages 5 and 6 except for baseball and softball. According to assistant athletic supervisor of youth sports, Nick Hand, T-ball also is offered for 3- and 4-year-olds.

With the center’s positive environment, ample

coaches and a large pool of activities from which to choose, Hand and the Alexander City Parks & Rec team see a large number of kids in every sport.

“We’re normally between 350 and 400 in baseball and softball. Basketball is normally around 200 to 250. When it comes to football, we probably have around 250 to 300, including the cheerleaders. We’re big enough to sustain everybody,” Hand explained.

Hand believes kids who participate in sports could learn more than just how to play a game; sports participation benefits many different areas of their lives.

“When a kid joins a sports team, they obviously learn developmental skills. Even for kids who have attention deficient disorders and things like that, it

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & BETSY ILER

Children staged “The Rainbow Fish” at Everything’s Art’s summer camp , hosted at DPAC

allows them to learn how to concentrate outside of a classroom setting. We teach them to accept losing and winning. Sports can help with self-esteem. It’s a lot.

“You see some kids that may not have a lot of friends that come out. Some may be new to the area, and it’s a way for them to get involved with kids who have been here. One of the biggest things would probably be the self-esteem thing, especially for the kids who may come from difficult backgrounds or things like that. We’ve also seen shy kids come into this and become more open,” Hand added.

For kids who prefer dance as exercise, Mahogany Masterpiece in Dadeville is the perfect place to explore new moves while also releasing energy that may not have been exuded during recess. Located at 220 N. Broadnax St., the dance studio is housed in the former Dadeville Bank. Raven Tolbert opened the studio in October 2022.

Tolbert teaches ages 5 to 18 in the studio with practices two days a week. A New Year means a new schedule for the studio, but Tolbert consistently offers jazz, hip-hop and majorette classes. To see updated schedules and pricing, check out the Mahogany Masterpiece Facebook page.

“It’s more than just dance that they learn. They learn organizational skills, how to better their social skills. A lot of them come in, and they are shy, but they seem to open up a lot more. Some of them didn’t even talk to me at first. Dance also helps with confidence and even a few life lessons. I like to teach life lessons through the things we apply. I try to teach them lessons that they can apply in school and things like that,” Tolbert explained.

Along with helping in other areas of life, dance focuses on movement. Tolbert believes movement helps flow the body, which could benefit kids with high energy levels.

“For me, since it involves movement, it helps you flow. Dance makes you feel free. Just listening to the beat and the rhythm, you have a lot to focus on, so it can keep you from your worries and the day-to-day things going on in your life outside of here,” Tolbert said.

Mahogany Masterpiece puts on one recital a year. To learn more, visit the studio on Facebook.

Dadeville has yet another great recreational activity for kids, and it’s available in the schools. Thanks to Everything’s Art, a local 501(c)3 organization that promotes art within the community, volunteer instructors help the school system by providing art classes as an elective. According to the organization’s president, Kurt Pfitzner, implementing art for children is an important element of the organization’s mission.

Along with bringing art into the school system, the nonprofit hosts a showcase of local children’s art at Taining Dogs Studio and Gallery, the art gal-

lery on the courthouse square.

Last summer, in conjunction with the Dadeville Performing Arts Center on the square, Everything’s Art hosted an arts camp for children. According to Pfitzner and DPAC Director Kim Walls, the summer camps will make their return in 2023 for even more art exploration.

Participating in opportunities like these and others offered outside the classroom in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties is a great way to build confidence, make new friends and learn life lessons.

Local boys celebrate a state championship in baseball

Confidence and healthy habits are byproducts of dance classes

Sports are available for girls and boys at all age levels

Lake Martin celebrates songwriters

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Copper’s Grill hosts a festival event in the courtyard on a balmy summer night

The third annual Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival will return to the area July 26 and will span over the course of five days, highlighting several artists and local venues. This popular must-attend event not only showcases the talent of songwriters across the South, but also builds on a tourism revenue opportunity.

Though still in the planning stage, the organizers of this now-annual event promise at least 25 songwriters and are planning to add more venues to a mix that will include last year’s venues as well.

“We’ve tried to move up five songwriters every year. We promised 15 the first year and did more. We promised 20 the next year and did more, so this year we’re promising 25. We try to move up as we can,” said Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller.

Creating an event that spans five days was a strategic move by the countywide tourism board. Fuller believes the festival creates an opportunity for visitors to stay longer and enjoy Lake Martin’s many recreational options while also benefiting local businesses.

“Creating a multiple-day event hopefully encourages visitors to plan their vacations around the event and stay longer. The Lake Martin area is becoming a music community. We now have more locations that are having live music. More places are opening because they have the opportunity to be successful by providing live music. We wanted to create something that included the entire Lake Martin area, and this has allowed us to do just that,” Fuller explained.

Many local businesses benefit from the festival, including restaurants, gas stations, boutiques and hotels. More people in the area for the festival means more opportunities for local businesses to expand their reach and improve profit margins.

“For local businesses that become venues, this allows for more foot traffic, people spending more money. Bringing in visitors that possibly would be staying four or five days for the event allows for more revenue at lodging locations, restaurants, retail and other businesses,” Fuller said.

According to Fuller, most of this year’s event will mirror the previous festivals, but the board of directors plans to mix things up just a bit to further enhance the

festival for both the artists and the attendees.

“Last year, we had two large songwriter rounds that were on a Friday night. We will still do large songwriter rounds, but we’re probably going to change that up. We’re going to do a couple of new things. We’re going to try some new things to add to it. Hopefully, it will bring out an even bigger crowd this time around,” she said.

While concertgoers are enjoying the music of new and familiar artists around the lake at various venues, organizers of the event are still hard at work. Measuring the interests of audience members not only gives the directors an idea of what festival aspects are most popular but also provides a snapshot of their audience.

“Last year, we surveyed a lot of the attendees. We created a page where they could put their name, zip code, contact information and which venue they were at that day. Every time they went to a different venue, they could fill out another document, and their names went in a drawing. They could enter multiple times.

“The drawing prize was a Rock of the South concert we had tickets for, and we gave those away to the winner. This year, we’ll probably do the same thing and have a bigger prize. We don’t know what it is yet, but we do have a wish list,” Fuller said.

From the captured data, Fuller and company deduced that more than 50 percent of attendees were not from Tallapoosa County or the Lake Martin area.

“That was our goal. We wanted to create an event where locals came, but we also wanted to attract those visiting the area,” Fuller explained.

With more than half of attendees from outside of Tallapoosa County, the festival has reached a new audience and drawn them into the area. More tourists coming to the area for events like this means an increase in revenue for local businesses.

Though the festival is free to the public, out-of-town attendees are faced with the decision of where to stay, eat and play while in town.

In the meantime, Fuller said, the basic festival structure will pretty much remain the same. Some of the artists from last year’s event are planning to return to Lake Martin to share their music with audi-

Lake Martin is a beautiful background for the music

In addition to playing their music, the songwriters share stories from the road

ences again, but new artists also will be on the docket.

“We had a lot of incredible artists that had huge-name hits. A few of those are coming back. We won’t have a lot of the same ones we had last year. Our goal is to really focus on allowing some of those bigger names to come back and play at different venues instead of the ones they did last year, so they can reach a different audience,” Fuller said.

The songwriter’s festival committee planned a visit to Nashville in February to scout for artists. Making those connections could lead to future performance opportunities for artists and more concerts for Lake Martin locals and visitors. The committee also is excited to bring back the option of host housing for musicians.

“We’ll certainly do the host houses again, and we have other options as well. I was surprised people would want to stay with other people. A lot of the people who offered up housing last year live on the lake. The house owners cooked for the guests and even took them out on the boat. What we’ve found is that most of the songwriters love that atmosphere.

“We even had people who came to the event and knew we were doing host houses say, ‘Hey we would love to open our home if you need any additional space,’ so it’s kind of a unique set up that I would’ve

never thought of,” Fuller said.

With the event growing bigger and better each year, the Lake Martin area is seeing tourism develop even more. With host houses and other beautiful places to stay around Lake Martin for the festival, connecting with residents and the area is easier than ever before.

For more information about the Lake Martin Songwriter’s Festival, visit the website at lakemartinsongwritersfestival.com.

This year’s event will feature more than 25 songwriters

WE’RE CONNECTED

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

The Alabama Rescue Plan Act is about to divvy up more money to provide better internet access in the state’s rural areas, including Tallapoosa County, and that could lead to greater opportunities for those who live, work and play here.

Fast internet speeds have been an issue for Tallapoosa and lower Coosa counties residents for years, but that began to change when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The ARPA provided federal funding to local governments to build back better those communities that were in considered in dire need of certain aspects by those local governments. Internet access is one of those aspects in Alabama, as the state includes large rural areas with sparse coverage.

With appropriate funding necessary to expand broadband, and more on the way, internet development around the Lake Martin area has increased rapidly and shows no sign of slowing.

“Over the past year, the development of internet in the Lake Martin area has been very rapid. We’ve got several competing companies that are in here for the opportunity to receive grants,” explained Alabama State Rep. Ed Oliver (Dist. 81). “They’re installing internet at a rapid rate. There are very few places in Tallapoosa County that are not designated to get internet within the next two years.”

The ARPA funding was instrumental in kickstarting the opportunity to improve broadband within the area. Without proper funding, internet companies were unable to justify the projects of expanding service to rural areas of the county.

“A reverse auction was conducted based on census blocks. The auction allowed different internet service provider companies the opportunity to come in and bid on a census block. Those that bid get government money in the form of a grant to build out that census block. There may be six houses in that block; these are the places where it would not be profitable to build out without the help of a grant,” Oliver explained.

According to Oliver, these companies are looking for

incentives to extend their services, and as local governments notice that better broadband is a necessity for the area, the opportunity to release grants as that incentive emerged.

“County commissions are taking note of the rural areas. They will probably be directing the upcoming funds for broadband. Our county commission is on board, and they have been very helpful so far. The hard thing for everybody to understand is that the public service commission does not regulate internet. It’s all free market. Companies won’t run internet because it’s not profitable for them to do so. We must approach internet differently.

“The first two or three years we were working on bettering internet, there were a lot of different grants. We then got ARPA money, and it got convoluted. There was no sense of organization for the grants, so the legislature decided that we would put that under the broadband authority, which is run by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. So, we have a legislative overwatch organization that watches how ADECA spends money. ADECA picks the projects and puts the money into them. It has worked very well so far,” Oliver explained.

Oliver believes it’s important to note the roles of those involved in the development of internet within Tallapoosa County, as well as the state. Without doing so, anger and demands could be pointed in the wrong direction.

“Every time we expand broadband a little, the free market kicks in again, and it becomes profitable to run internet to homes in these rural areas. It’s not like the legislature has the power to come in and install internet. All we can do is raise money and appropriate it,” Oliver said.

Improving broadband across the county is seen as crucial and can add additional opportunities for residents. With strong broadband across the county, new businesses could be more inclined to expand into the county. Though business development depends on a number of aspects, broadband plays a big role in determining the profitability of a location.

“From a guy that lives nine miles south of Dadeville and must drive to the public library to use the computer, I will tell you that running a business, doing schoolwork – those are all critical things. You can look at any map for development, and if you don’t have broadband, you don’t have development,” Oliver explained.

Stepping UP

Camp Hill’s student mayor seized an opportunity to improve his hometown

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & ABIGAIL MURPHY

Camp Hill Mayor M essiah Williams-Cole may be the best example of inspiration in all of Tallapoosa County. As an undergrad at Auburn University in 2020, Williams-Cole saw an opportunity to improve his hometown, and he seized that opportunity when he won the mayoral seat in Camp Hill, the area’s most poverty-stricken municipality. Camp Hill’s sewer system hadn’t been updated in 50 years; roads were deteriorating; and resident

safety was in jeopardy. Williams-Cole rolled up his sleeves and dug in, though he was a mere three years past his high school graduation date. Progress has been slow but steady, and Williams-Cole will not be deterred.

He believed starting from square one was the right way to go about improving the Camp Hill community. Along with working on enhanced quality of life for residents and the town’s beautification, new recreation and education opportunities are high on the list for Williams-Cole.

“I want to create recreational and educational opportunities for our youth and our middle-aged citizens so that they have things to occupy their time. I want them to at least have the chance to get out in Camp Hill and live safely,” Williams-Cole said.

Camp Hill recently received a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to improve the town’s sewer system. WilliamsCole plans to continue city improvements, such as water and road work, this fiscal year to give residents opportunities to enjoy the quiet lifestyle Camp Hill’s location offers.

“My focus right now is getting back to square one in terms of utilities. We’re trying to do a lot of abatement in terms of vacant and terrible-looking properties so that we can have the opportunity to attract businesses and build our tax base,” explained Williams-Cole, who now is enrolled at Faulkner University’s

Camp Hill City Hall is housed in a historic church

Jones School of Law.

Taking into consideration all areas of the town that need improvements, Camp Hill’s mayor also wants to keep in mind all ages and actively seeks opportunities for all age groups.

A new educational opportunity was introduced at the beginning of this year. WaveMaker facilities are free for Camp Hill residents. The facilities feature computers and school supplies that are made available to help local students. Another recent opportunity afforded to the town’s youth was the introduction of the Building Exceptional And Resilient Students summer program. The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and offers local youth opportunities to learn about their community and make new friends.

Growth opportunities also are on the mind of the mayor, but he believes focusing efforts inside the town itself is necessary before making strides toward expanding the town’s footprint.

One of the ways Williams-Cole hopes to grow the town’s revenues is with U.S. Route 280, which provides business opportunities for many communities from Birmingham to Auburn. Business development is exploding on the highway all through Tallapoosa County, and Williams-Cole sees that potential as an opportunity for Camp Hill.

“My goal is to monetize and adequately use our connection to 280 as best as possible. I think we can do a lot better in terms of holding each other accountable, making sure each other cuts their grass, picks up trash – just do our part.

“The main thing the municipalities can do is monetize 280 and build up the tax base. We want to keep what’s inside Camp Hill, because most of our people, they’ve lived and spent all their lives here. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The best thing we can do is just try to use the resources and opportunities we have,” Williams-Cole explained.

One of the biggest improvement projects happening in Camp Hill, bettering the water infrastructure within the community, has proven to be a challenge, but it is one Williams-Cole and the rest of the community’s leaders plan to overcome.

“At the end of 2024, we will have had every wastewater pump station rehabilitated. Before the last two to three years, our last big project was in the ’70s. We’re making a 50-year upgrade happen for our water system,” he said.

Simultaneously, the community has adopted a weed abatement law, as well as property rehabilitation projects that are targeted toward beautification and upgrading decades old sys -

tems. The hope is to attract new businesses and create opportunities for growth.

Though the population is significantly smaller than other nearby communi ties, Williams-Cole believes Camp Hill offers residents and visitors the opportunity to live quiet, serene lives.

“I think Camp Hill offers residents privacy. We’re like any community. We have our problems, but we also have a very low crime rate. People come here, especially during the summer. We have a lot of backyard softball games. We’ve been able to cultivate a safe and happy environment department,” Williams-Cole explained.

Though eager to lend a hand in the community, the town’s mayor recognizes that these projects might take a few years to complete. He’s willing to dedicate his time and assist in generating revenue for additional resources to create recreational and educational opportunities. This young leader is inspired and optimistic about the future of Camp Hill and the opportunities ahead.

Messiah Williams-Cole

Improving safety and quality of life are priorities for the student mayor

Playful Opportunities

The local arts and entertainment scene offers a field of opportunities for fun and fellowship for all ages and walks of life across Tallapoosa and southeastern Coosa counties, and local arts organizations are planning for growth.

“Alex City Arts currently exists as a presenting organization, bringing quality entertainment to town from around the region,” said Mary Wood

Perry, president of ACA. “We want to be more of a true arts council, not just a presenting organization. Arts councils in other cities promote the works of other organizations. We want to get more diversity in our programming and keep it as broad as possible. Offer more opportunities for dance, drawing, painting, sculpture.”

ACA is more than 50 years old and at one time offered education scholarships to local high school

STORY BY BETSY ILER

students who planned to study the arts in college.

“We’d like to re-establish the scholarship program and broaden our impact on the development of art in the community and further study by students,” Perry explained.

The 2022 and 2023 seasons at ACA took steps in that direction when visiting artists offered workshops for high school and middle school students during the day and performed for public audiences in the evening.

Among ACA’s productions this season is the hilarious play, Assisted Living: The Musical, coming in April. Visit alexcityarts.org for details.

Filling another performing arts niche in the community, Alexander City Theatre II celebrates the talents of local residents through theatrical productions that are free to the public.

“We give children and adults the opportunity to do something they love or try something new,” said Karen Kison, ACT II president. “Theatre is a lot of

community involvement. It takes a lot of people to put on a play. Not just actors, but publicity, stage managing, props, costumes and more. It brings together people who might not otherwise interact. They find similar passions and form new friendships and bonds.”

Theatre helps children and adults gain the confidence to speak in public, develop their interests and put their talents to work to entertain others in the community, she said.

ACT II stages four productions each year at a variety of locations that include the Benjamin Russell High School Auditorium, Central Alabama Community College’s stage at the Betty Carol Graham Center and Russell Lands stages at Russell Crossroads and Lake Martin Amphitheater. The all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization raises funds through an annual sponsorship drive to cover production costs and overhead, including utilities at the rehearsal space on Tallapoosa Street.

The cast of ACT II’s “It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play” on the set at CACC’s Betty Carol Graham Center

ACA brings Three on a String and other musicians to the area

Some ACA programs teach history through the arts, as in this featured event celebrating “Rosie the Riveter”

“At ACT II, theater exposes people who could never afford to go outside of town to a play, and you don’t have to pay anything to be in a play or to help backstage,” Kison said.

This year’s productions include Inherit the Wind, a drama inspired by the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, and a live radio play based on the Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street.

Visit the website at actheatre2.com or the Alexander City Theatre II Facebook page for upcoming productions and auditions.

In Dadeville, a group of friends came together to form an arts community that connected the

generations through live performances, classes, camps and workshops. The offerings at Dadeville Performing Arts Center include community chorus rehearsals and performances for all ages; concerts by professional musicians; community theater productions; instrumental jam sessions and more. Ticket prices are generally $10 to $15, and children are admitted for free.

“Kids today don’t have many opportunities in the arts,” explained DPAC Director Kim Walls. “There’s a lot of interest in more theater. We’ve seen what’s going on in Alexander City and other places, and we want to have more children’s theater and music after school.”

Walls hopes to add classical music opportunities to the DPAC schedule, as well as ballroom and other social dancing disciplines.

“We would love to find some teachers who would have a set of classes that culminate in a dancing event,” Walls said. “We also get calls for people who can teach piano and guitar. We want to give people the opportunity to step up and be leaders and help people get together and share their skills. It doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment.”

Learn more about the Dadeville Arts scene at dadevilleperformingartscenter.com.

Dadeville Performing Arts Center hosted the Everything’s Art summer arts camp for kids

“Monroeville and the Stage Production of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird” author John Williams made an appearance in Dadeville

ROUNDING UP RESOURCES

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTO BY CLIFF WILLIAMS, WILL MARLOW & ABIGAIL MURPHY

A future Ag Center could host rodeos and other competitions

ackson’s Gap could soon be home to an innovative agricultural center due to last year’s purchase of nearly 60 acres by the Tallapoosa County Commission. Though still in the planning and development stage, several government officials and various organizations throughout the county have pledged their support for the addition and the opportunities it could bring.

“We’re still in the planning and the dreaming phase because we have not secured any funding to go further with it. Just a little over a year ago, we met with some local groups to gauge interest in a youth livestock program. We talked with the local FFA and 4-H teachers about building back the animal science program in Tallapoosa County, and that’s when we heard discussion that there

Jwas interest in building a livestock arena,” said Tallapoosa County Extension Coordinator Shane Harris.

Over 1,000 youth members within the county are involved in agricultural-based programs, such as Future Farmers of America and 4-H. With a dedicated space, opportunities to expand and build upon those programs could be possible, Harris said.

“We want to build the programs up with the youth and give them the opportunity to have a place for them to have a show. There is a need and interest in having a facility like this. The discussion further led to wanting a conference center for educational programs. It’s a huge need for Tallapoosa County,” Harris explained.

Currently, students involved in these programs must travel to other areas of the state for events. Having a center locally could mean more tourism and opportunities for area kids to attend events in their own county.

The plan for the multi-purpose center expands beyond a livestock arena alone. If funding becomes available, the center could host more opportunities than just agricultural ones.

“If it happens, it’s going to be a multipurpose facility. The idea grew from having an arena to having an arena plus a conference center, education center and a training center,” Harris said.

With the possibility of a conference center, instead of traveling out of the county to attend con-

With property for the center already purchased, funding is being sought for the project development

Raising rabbits is a good way for students to learn to care for animals

Goat’s milk products sell well at farmers markets and craft shows

Chickens are popular among a wide number of audiences today

Rep. Ed Oliver

ferences for business, the county could be hosting them, which, in turn, could potentially benefit the tourism industry.

Ideas have also been swirling about establishing office space and creating more opportunities for local businesses and organizations.

“I think it’d be a great thing for the county. I think it’d be great for economics. I believe we can establish some office space there and move people out of the courthouse, such as the extension service, the EMA and other offices. Certain businesses would benefit from that location,” said Tallapoosa County Commissioner John McKelvey.

Not only could the ag center provide opportunities to several organizations and programs throughout the county, but also, it could increase tourism exponentially and provide a unique space and opportunities for more events to be held within the county.

Those pushing for the facility are using the waiting time as an opportunity to research other multipurpose facilities in the state. Doing so could bring forth new ideas for the center.

The first step to making this economic opportunity a reality – receiving county commission support

has already been accomplished. The next step is under way as well. With support from the county commission, those in favor of the multi-purpose facility are seeking funding.

“We want to do it. The commission is behind it. All the groups are. We even brought in economic development to help with tourism. We’re still working on things behind the scenes. We’re currently going through the legislature and working on getting everything to fund it,” McKelvey explained.

The boards of education, as well as the county commission, have voiced their support for the multipurpose center because of the endless opportunities that could flourish if the idea comes to fruition.

With the possibility of an educational center, more opportunities could be created within the school systems for several clubs and organizations, not just the agricultural-based ones. Having another location to host school events, club meetings and seminars could expand and multiply school related endeavors.

To note, several county commission members and other government leaders are supporting this project to create more opportunities for all ages throughout the community.

“I have the support from Mark Tuggle, Ed Oliver, the people I need the support from. We should know something by the summer, and we’ll go from there,” McKelvey said.

With the multipurpose facility already having gained significant support throughout the county, more opportunities could be coming for local programs, organizations and businesses. Think of what this center could do for you.

The center could be used for 4-H programs

Extension offices and workshops could be held at the Ag Center

It would be a plus for local school activities, like Future Farmers of America

Lake Martin is a great place to live, work and collect sunset photos

Lake Martin

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE, AUDRA SPEARS & BETSY ILER

Making the most of Lake Martin’s potential without compromising the laid-back lifestyle we now enjoy could be easier than we think as on- and off-water opportunities abound, said local tourism representatives Brandy Hastings and Sandra Fuller.

“We have a lot of opportunities that will allow the area to grow as a tourism destination but also allow us to stay true to who are. We’re not Disney World. People don’t want to come to Lake Martin for that. They come for the Southern hospitality, the laid-back vibe,” explained Hastings, a former director and contractor at Lake Martin Tourism.

Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller

said one sign of the lake’s potential to influence the local economy is the promotion of Lake Martin by unrelated local businesses.

“Everyone is promoting the lake area, not just lake businesses, but realtors and restaurants and others now, too. The lake is a resource for them,” Fuller said.

The challenge for lake communities then is to choose from a plethora of opportunities that would reflect the area’s personality and channel growth in managed areas. These, Hastings and Fuller said, would be most effective if they are driven by the people in our communities.

“We all need to be a part of the story we tell. Everyone needs to be part of the story. We can have a little fun in our own towns, and we can tell people about it,” Hastings said.

“We hope to do some workforce development familiarization tours, so restaurant servers and hotel hosts could tell people about the things to do here. They are an important part of the promotion of our area,” Fuller explained. “Collectively, as a community, we need to continue to tell our story, the reasons why people should come to the lake; why we like to be outside here.”

Fuller aims to partner with Alabama Tourism to provide service training with a motivational speaker and lunch for frontline employees who have service contact with visitors. The meeting could be followed by a tour of area highlights – a visit to the Smith Mountain Fire Tower or the Aerial Adventures

Wind Creek State Park Marina launches tournaments year-round

In the heat of a summer day, the lake is a cool place to play

Russell Lands’ annual fireworks show at Lake Martin Amphitheater is spectacular from the water

zip line tour at Wind Creek State Park and more – so those employees could tell their customers what there is to see and do here.

“We could offer them some marketing assistance; help them know what their resources are; help them develop 30-second elevator speeches about the area,” she said.

“Lake Martin has become a year-round destination,” Hastings said. “Recreation in the summer; fishing in the winter; and hiking helps us through spring and fall.”

Events draw visitors, and visitors spend money for lodging, food, gas and goods. The economic impact of fishing tournaments is huge, but other events draw out-of-town guests as well. Fuller said half of the attendees at last year’s Lake Martin Songwriters Festival were from outside the area. More events could equal more opportunities for visitors’ money to enter the local economy.

To that end, Fuller said she is looking to expand the annual Riverfest paddling event on the Tallapoosa River above Lake Martin.

“We’re thinking of making it a bigger event, maybe more of a festival in the New Site area,” she said.

She also mentioned the possibility of a dragon boat race event in which each team would choose a charity to which their winnings would be donated. With 12 or more teams and an entry fee of $1,000 for each team, the donation could be substantial.

Other opportunities could be created by enhancing existing facilities or opening small businesses, like a bait-and-tackle shop, said Hastings. Or a metropark, offered Fuller.

The sportplex is working toward a metropark concept, as the park already offers a disc golf course, an obstacle course for fitness and is pet friendly.

“Wind Creek State Park is a good location for one, as well,” Fuller said. “A park like this must be maintained but doesn’t require an employee. Philanthropic individuals are needed to fund it. This is an opportunity to build infrastructure.”

Small business opportunities exist for individuals who could offer guided hikes on the area’s many miles of public-access wooded trails. Lake tours also could be successful, Hastings said.

“A lot of people who come to the lake want to see it and see what it has to offer without having to own their own boats or rent boats. Lake Martin Tours is the only one promoting that right now,” she said. “We also need more spas. There is one in Dadeville –Oasis Salon and Spa – but we need more of that.”

Financial help is available to business owners through a number of state-level grant programs, Hastings said. Applications are available through tourism.alabama.gov. Nonprofit organizations also can apply. Tourism event grants are available through Alabama House and Senate offices, specifically for event marketing and nonprofit endeavors. Reimbursement grants of $2,500 or $5,000 could be awarded for attractions, brochures and other marketing materials, as well as marketing targeted to out-ofstate visitors.

The piece of the puzzle we lack is lodging, Hastings said.

“I dream of the day when we have a lakefront resort right on the lake,” she said. “On a national level,

Some people just flip over life at the lake View the beauty of nature in a calm quiet cove

short term rentals are up, but there is a shortage of lodging in our area. Airbnb and VRBO lakefront rentals are popular, but there are those who are looking for a budget option. They would be just as happy to rent a room in someone’s home. It’s easy to set yourself up on those platforms.”

Good pictures are key to capturing rentals, Hastings said. When listing properties on these platforms, mention the small conveniences, like pots and pans, towels and sheets. Check with city clerks about regulatory procedures and collecting lodging taxes. Or consult with a local vacation home management company about handling the paperwork for you.

“Look beyond our own boundaries at what visitors want. They just want to have the best time ever at Lake Martin. We have to think like they think,” Hastings said. “For fishermen, breakfast before they hit the water is huge.”

Double parking spaces and outdoor charging stations also are important for anglers, so the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which will soon be under construction on U.S. Route 280 will include both.

But more RV camping in the area also is needed, especially close to recreational options on the Tallapoosa River, Fuller said.

“We only have one short term stay RV park, and that is at Wind Creek State Park. Ideally, we could use another property near other attractions, such as adjacent to Alabama Power natural undeveloped property or near Jaybird Landing or Horseshoe Bend National Military Park,” Fuller said. “Someone could start small and grow, and we could help them find resources, locate property and assess the investment cost.”

Consistent, dependable funding for tourism is an important element to the area’s success, Hastings added.

“We need a sustainable funding model through a percentage of lodging tax collection. The lodging tax is paid only by visitors. It comes from people staying at campgrounds, hotels, bed and breakfasts. A funding model needs to be created that dedicates a percentage of those funds, not an appropriation, to tourism. Reinvesting in tourism to keep more visitors coming. Money spent on tourism promotion should only come from that tax, not from people in the community,” she explained.

Welcoming and directing visitors at frontline businesses, channeling efforts toward carefully considered and managed growth and funding tourism through more lodging options could help to preserve and protect the lifestyle we love as the area prospers.

Locals and visitors alike just want to have the best time ever at Lake Martin

Lake residents enjoy outdoor living with a view

ON MAIN STREET

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

Main Street Alexander City is helping to provide even more opportunities for residents to shop local with new business additions, including a soap and candle store and a sports bar coming soon to downtown. With plans to boost activities downtown and welcome more merchants to the area, the nonprofit organization encourages locals and visitors to stay in town for shopping and recreation.

“Main Street brings additional business activities. We also help bring additional foot traffic and help build up aesthetics. We help provide newcomers with an overall impression of Alexander City while maintaining a historical feel,” said Main Street Alexander City Executive Director Michelle West.

The organization hopes to assist in the development of downtown while keeping the historic charm the area displays. Drawing people into downtown is one of the key roles of Main Street, and with regularly hosted events, the Main Street board of directors and staff showcase unique businesses by creating and supporting opportunities for merchants to expand their clientele.

“We want to give the merchants an opportunity to expand and flourish while also giving our residents the opportunity to stay close to home, rather than

traveling out of the area. We want to inspire people to spend more time downtown by offering activities closer to home and keeping the city vibrant,” West explained.

To maintain a schedule of events targeted toward attracting attention downtown, the nonprofit occasionally receives grants. The bulk of Main Street Alexander City’s funding comes from other organizations and members of the community.

“There are opportunities sometimes to apply and receive grants. They’re not as available as they once were, and they are hard to get. We’re very fortunate that we have foundations, the city and personal contributions that support us. We received a tourism grant last year, and it went toward the Gumbo Getdown. When an opportunity exists, we will look at it and pursue if we feel like we have a good project that meets the criteria. We can’t be dependent on grants,” said Main Street Alexander City Board President JoAnna Banks.

Several events are held downtown to promote the area, along with the local businesses. Event coordination and brainstorming ideas are regularly part of Main Street’s day-to-day agenda.

“Sometimes, it’s a brainstorming opportunity. We also get ideas from other Main Street communities.

Michelle West

Main Street has a vintage appeal

Main Street is good about sharing; the directors share with one another,” Banks explained.

Networking with other Main Street organizations gives Alexander City’s chapter the opportunity to bring new ideas and possibilities to the table for the local community. By examining what has worked for other Main Street affiliates and their communities, West and her staff at Main Street pinpoint activities and events that could do well and make an impact throughout the community.

“I think, when deciding to jump on an event opportunity, it goes back to what has worked in other areas. We’re trying to bring activities to this area successfully. Sometimes, it’s just a gut feeling. It’s like, ‘Oh, that sounds like a good idea,’ and sometimes even though it may sound like a good idea, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful,” West said.

Attracting businesses to downtown is another mission on the organization’s to-do list. Doing so provides a bigger variety and the opportunity for residents to support the community by shopping locally.

“More retail is always better. You can never have too much shopping. I think we could use more entertainment, more restaurants. We’re doing very good with the arcade that’s open. It’s provided another opportunity. The new microbrewery will provide

another opportunity. We’re probably missing that middle to high end steak and maybe seafood combo restaurant. We’re getting there, though,” Banks explained.

New business ventures and merchants need all the support and help they can get when first starting out. Main Street helps them build up clientele right out of the gate with marketing help and opportunities.

“Being a member of downtown allows access to a boost grant; and then, also our marketing opportunities that we offer to members as well. We also have the façade grant,” West said.

Exclusive to Main Street Alexander city, facade grants reimburse merchants for storefront improvements.

Main Street Alexander City is eager to provide ample opportunities to residents and merchants alike through regularly hosted events while also promoting businesses downtown.

“I think sometimes we lose sight of downtown as the heart and soul of our community. Every corridor, every component has its place. We need U.S. 280 for shopping, but when you look at it, you could be in any town in America. It’s our downtown that gives us our character. The memories are made downtown,” Banks said.

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WHEN THE TIMING IS RIGHT

STORY BY BETSY ILER PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & KENNETH BOONE

An opportunity 20 years in the making is reaping rewards for the Murphree family, as well as the community, after Lois Ann Murphree opened Alexander City’s Chick-fil-A restaurant a year ago on U.S. Route 280. When she made the decision to move to Tallapoosa County for the adventure, Murphree impacted hundreds of lives, from employees to customers, the local business community and healthcare workers.

“We operate with between 75 and 80 positions, about a quarter of which are fulltime jobs,” Murphree said. “The part time positions are filled with teenagers or college students; moms who want to make enough to support their kids in sports programs; or people who already have fulltime jobs but don’t make enough money to make ends meet.

“If it weren’t for every one of them, I would not be here.”

The local Chick-fil-A opened in November 2021,

but Murphree’s journey began in the late 1990s. As a newlywed, she happened across a previous opportunity with Chick-fil-A. The prospect appealed to her, but the timing wasn’t right. She launched a successful career in sales, though the Chick-fil-A carrot continued to dangle in front of her. In 2017, Murphree and her husband, Micah, decided it was not going away, so they decided to pursue it.

After submitting her application to be in just exactly this position, Murphree went through a screening and interview process and found herself in a challenging training program. When Alexander City was brought up as a possible location, she made a semi-clandestine visit.

“And here we are,” she said.

In short order, Chick-fil-A has become a staple for residents and regular customers who pass through while working in the area.

“We have a lot of pharmaceutical salespeople

who don’t live here but are regular customers because they call on medical offices and the hospital here. They’re putting money back into our community, supporting jobs and paying sales taxes that bring more positive things for the kids in our community,” she said.

When she arrived in Alexander City with Micah and their three boys, Murphree said she felt like she was on the cusp of something wonderful. That sentiment has only grown as the family has integrated into life here.

“The kids are involved in the sports programs, so we are at the ballparks a lot. My husband is in the Lake Martin Leadership class. I am involved with the PTO at the middle school. We’ve taken opportunities to be part of the community and the growth and what’s happening here.”

Growth within her local business includes expansion of the restaurant’s catering services.

“We deliver within a 3-mile radius. That hits the hospital and a lot of businesses and events in the area,” she said. “We will expand more, but we want to climb with confidence.”

She’s excited about opportunities the community has supported, past and present, and looks forward to its future.

One of those past opportunities is the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, which initially played a part in her accepting the owner/operator opportunity at Chickfil-A. Prior to snatching up that dangling carrot, she spent a day in Alexander City to make sure this was a community where Micah and she could raise their family.

“I drove around town – loved the sportplex – not just that there was a such a facility, but that it is such a nice facility,” she said.

Today, she’s excited to be part of the city’s growth.

“Growth can be scary but also fantastic. It creates opportunities in jobs, lifestyle, new neighborhoods, better healthcare. All of those things bring in new residents and new part time peo- ple at the lake. Bringing in more to the commu nity is a win-win. It brings positive things for our kids,” she said.

“We have people in this community who work fulltime jobs and then volunteer in the community, like working at tournaments at the sportplex. Last year, we had a huge tournament here. They worked so hard to bring that event here, and it brought in a tremendous amount of revenue for the community and local businesses, including Chick-fil-A. When that happens, I can reward my team here. I can give them bonuses, more pay, company activities, outings. It makes a difference,” she said.

More tournaments could do more for the community, and Murphree said she would like to see more of those opportunities for local businesses.

“We have great facilities. Not just at the sportplex, but our soccer complex is beautiful, too. Let’s bring more tournaments in and let more people discover Alexander City. Let them see what a beautiful, quaint community we have here,” she said.

Growth can be scary but also fantastic. It creates opportunities in jobs, lifestyle, new neighborhoods, better healthcare.

- Lois

Ann Murphree

Micah and Lois Ann Murphree and their boys

FUTURE FOCUS

Economic development connects past opportunities to the present and the present to future opportunities, explained Denise Walls, acting director at Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance. Most projects take a while to get off the ground, she said, and the community leaders who spearheaded projects in the past might not be around to see the rewards.

“You have to have the mentality that you’re investing in a future that might not include you, and someone else will get the credit for the groundwork you laid,” Walls explained.

Chartered in 1998, the mission of LMAEDA is to create industrial jobs through collaboration with entities that focus on specific areas, such as training the workforce, relying heavily on county and city governments to provide developed industrial sites. LMAEDA cannot create new business incentives, design transit routes or pass laws that are favorable to business

recruitment, but most of these tasks wouldn’t happen without LMAEDA input and oversight.

“Economic development is a team sport, and we could not do anything without elected officials, the people who work in city and county offices, utility companies, environmental engineers, existing businesses and industries and private investors,” Walls explained. “What we do is act as the hub, keeping potential projects moving through all the people and interests that can support them.”

With offices housed in the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Technology Center in Alexander City, LMAEDA fields requests for information, most of which are channeled through state offices. Partnerships are important in the process of providing local data to companies that are looking for places to move, build plants and hire employees.

“We probably answer a dozen RFIs every year,

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & BETSY ILER

Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance rolls out the welcome

and we receive visits from maybe six of them. Out of those, we might get two or three good projects,” Walls said.

Good projects mean jobs, from construction to management and operations, so LMAEDA works with CACC faculty to identify the skill sets new industries need. Inspiring the future workforce today could help us grasp tomorrow’s industrial opportunities.

“Labor costs and availability are the No. 1 and No. 2 concerns of corporate CEOs across the country,” Walls said. “We could have the perfect site for a new business to locate here, but if we don’t have people who can work, it means nothing.”

Companies’ workforce concerns include wages, benefits, training, quality of life and access to healthcare and education. In past decades, manufacturing jobs paid better than service industry positions, but in today’s labor market, retail has caught up.

“Those times have changed. Companies are looking at other benefits for employees. There’s more interest in work/life balance, focusing on things like employees being able to go to their kids’ Little League games, but overall, I think manufacturing can, a lot of time, provide better benefits like insurance, retirement funds and paid time off,” Walls explained.

For many operations, a skilled workforce is required, so the training needed for future jobs is important to the area.

“At LMAEDA, we can’t do workforce development, but we can support it through partnerships,” Walls said. “We serve on the Tallapoosa County Career Tech Advisory Council and other area boards, and we work closely with Central Alabama Community College to promote their programs. We also work closely with the Alexander City Career Center, which can support new and existing industry through work-

The Kellyton plant will be the only graphite processing facility in the U.S.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced the Alabama Graphite project, noting its potential national impact on the world’s dependence on China for this key resource in the EV market

Coosa County is home to the finest grade of graphite

force training grants.”

Coosa County, she said, is poised to reopen the career tech center that was closed due to budget restrictions several years ago.

The Lake Martin area scores high on quality-oflife concerns. Matters like healthcare, crime rates, the ability to age in place and outdoor recreation opportunities are becoming increasingly important to companies.

“The pandemic, I think, brought these concerns to the forefront of what becomes important to making a company successful. Happy, healthy employees will do just that,” Walls said.

These examples are just small parts of a typical RFI.

“It takes about a week to collect all the answers to the questions on an RFI. They all want different information,” Walls said. “Some of that data we already have. Some of it we have to look to find. We do a good job with them. We respond quickly to inquiries.”

Also among the top five CEO concerns are energy availability, shipping costs and highway accessibility. Most companies prefer an interstate highway, but U.S. Route 280 is almost as good. A truck carrying product could pull onto the four-lane from Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park in Kellyton and stay on a four-lane highway all the way to a port or market.

Land availability is another concern and one that, in the current market, is drawing potential industry to rural areas. Building in sprawling cities increases costs, and many companies today would rather build on a greenfield and have a building that meets their specific needs; however, construction costs are another matter of concern these days, and it’s important for communities to have available buildings for companies to renovate and move into

quickly.

But what the average citizen thinks of as available land differs greatly from the economic development perspective, Walls explained.

“Just because private property is close to the railroad or the highway doesn’t mean it’s optimal. There are studies that have to done – environmental assessments, wildlife studies, geo tech surveys –before a property is truly available,” Walls explained. “A private property owner probably is not going to invest in those kinds of studies without the assurance of a sale, and at LMAEDA, we can’t initiate those kinds of studies on property we don’t own.”

In addition, LMAEDA representatives need to have access to properties, so they can show them to visiting prospects. They also need to be in a position to accept offers.

“We don’t have an industrial site until we have all of that information, so a site that we don’t control isn’t as attractive,” Walls said.

Even then, it takes time.

“The Kellyton industrial park took a while. Thinking back to the year 2000 when it was started, it didn’t take off right away,” she said.

Still, recent announcements about industrial park expansion cannot to be overlooked. Last June, a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation Industrial Access Program made possible future expansion of the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park.

The funds, when partnered with matching funds, will allow access across a creek at the existing southern boundary of the occupied industrial park. The grant funding is thanks in part to Alabama Graphite needing access to property on the southern side of the creek, but also allows opportunities for more industries to locate on the remaining 150 acres.

LMAEDA representatives could look forward to a future expansion of the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park due to the project

Sporting socks with photos of his granddaughter, Alabama Sen. Clyde Chambliss told economic summit attendees that economic development is about the future

The Alabama Graphite project will use two buildings at the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park in Kellyton

Economic development is a team sport, and we could not do anything without elected officials, the people who work in the city and county offices, utility companies, envirnomental engineers, existing businesses and industries and private investors.

“

- Denise Walls

Alabama Graphite

The Kellyton park was half full with 40 available acres when Alabama Graphite announced a plan to locate the only U.S. graphite processing plant here. With the addition of more acreage across a creek, LMAEDA will have the opportunity to expand the park and offer property to other industries.

The $919,800 industrial access grant will construct a large culvert-type bridge across the creek with a large amount of fill.

Several elected officials helped bring the grant to fruition, and it is hoped that more grant funding can be secured, or tax credits sold, to construct pad sites that future industry would like to use.

And thanks to the planning done by Alexander City officials, contractors are now nearing completion of sewage line connections from the industrial park to Alexander City’s Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment facility. The processing plant could generate as many as 100 new jobs.

But before the graphite plant project was even announced more than a year ago, LMAEDA was looking to the future of the battery supply chain and positioning the Lake Martin area for statewide, regional and national interest from related auto industry prospects. Economic development alliance chairman T.C. Coley acknowledged that officials here would aggressively target those related industries.

LMAEDA published an interactive map of available industrial parks on its website soon after the Alabama Graphite plant location was announced. The map indicates available electric, water supply, wastewater, natural gas and infrastructure. At Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park in Kellyton, the map marks the future location of Alabama Graphite Products beside 200-plus acres of available land. Electric vehicle battery factories are an obvious target, not just for the area’s graphite supply but its proximity to several auto manufacturing plants, including KIA, Hyundai, Toyota, Mazda and Volvo. The area already serves these automotive interests through several Tier 1 suppliers, including SL, C & J,

Korens, Kwang Sung and SJA, companies that have representation on the LMAEDA board.

“Then there’s conversations about electric powered airplanes, things of that nature, so that’s another market that’s developing,” Coley said. “What’s going to be really interesting is that a lot of work is still under development that we’ll benefit from, having proximity to this critical mineral for battery development.”

Economic Development Partnership of Alabama

Executive Vice President Steve Sewell offered insights into the electric vehicle phenomenon that is sweeping the state during his presentation at the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Summit held in January at CACC. Sewell noted the global transformation to EV is the most significant development in the state in the last hundred years.

“Automotive executives tell me they have never seen a time like this rapid change,” Sewell said. “The opportunity is obvious. We already have achieved success. We have demonstrated that we’re a player in this economy, and there is more to come.

“There is a lot of discussion across the country about this project in Alabama. We will see component industries pay attention, and we will have the opportunity to bring these industries to Alabama. We’re in a much better position to think strategically about the automotive industry in Alabama. The next five to 10 years will be a great story.”

Dr. Samuel Addy with the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research brought a global perspective to the area’s potential during the economic summit when his data showed relatively little change in the area over the last 11 years.

“You are doing well,” Addy told the assembly. “You have challenges, but you are doing well. I don’t see this as a rural area because of 280. You are within distance of many companies and opportunities. We all think of ourselves as poorer than we actually are.”

Timber

Another industry that has historically played a part in the area’s economic growth is the renewable natural resource of timber.

Forest Economic Development Specialist Gary Faulkner told the gathering of state and local economic development officials who attended the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Summit that Tallapoosa and Coosa counties are the best in the nation at timberland opportunities due to the alignment of resources supporting the industry.

East Central Alabama boasts some 8 million acres of Alabama’s rich timberland resources, Faulkner explained.

“We’re growing more trees in this country than we’re using, Faulkner said. “Most U.S. land is used for cattle. We are where it’s at. We are an economic opportunity.”

The industry requires access to transport

highways, rail, water – and utilities. Thweaat Industrial

Denise Walls

Park ticked all the boxes for Ziebach & Webb, Inc., recently when they opened operation for the Dadeville Pole Company there.

The company employs about 12 people with their initial $5 million investment, said General Manager Mark Byal, and more job opportunities are expected in the future.

“There will be foresters working here, more loggers and more truckers,” Byal said. “We anticipate another 40 jobs will be created in the surrounding area.”

Byal said the utility pole manufacturer seeks logs from areas up to 75 miles away. The plant will generate about 50,000 poles per year.

“It’s a good time to be in the business,” Byal said. “With storms and construction, there is a market for poles.”

The company is a great fit for the area, as Alabama is No. 2 in the nation in the forest products industry.

“We knew we wanted to locate our facility in or near Tallapoosa County,” Byal said. “After talking with the team at Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, as well as several of the county commissioners, we knew that Thweatt Park was the right fit for us. You can tell that the economic development office surrounds themselves with a great team; they were able to pull all the players to the table – the county engineer’s office, the commissioners, Alabama Power, the City of Dadeville. No matter what our questions were, the LMAEDA team

was able to find an answer for us.”

To attract new businesses, a team needs to be assembled to include environmental authorities, power companies, global market advisers and financial business development experts, as well as resources central to the timber industry, Faulkner added.

“Your economic development alliance includes all of those team aspects. You already have that set up,” Faulkner said.

Some 8 million acres of Alabama is covered with the renewable resource of timber

The factory floor of Cushion Source’s New Site facility

New Site Spotter

Mayor Blasingame keeps an eye out for opportunity

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE

New Site’s Mayor Phil Blasingame hopes to see the addition of a quality subdivision in the town within the next five years to accommodate continued growth within the city limits. Blasingame is going on his seventh year of mayoral duties, and though he’s accomplished several to-do items in his tenure, he believes New Site can welcome even more opportunities and growth.

“We’ve always had a great community and a great school system; we’ve just needed to add a few pieces to the puzzle,” Blasingame said.

The town’s mayor wasted no time kickstarting projects he thought would benefit the community and presenting residents with more opportunities.

“One of our first projects had to do with us trying to get a medical facility and a drugstore in town. We wanted to do that for our citizens, so they wouldn’t have to drive far to receive healthcare. We partnered with Russell Medical, and we were able to receive grants and accomplish that. We now have what they call Health Partners of New Site, which is a partnership between Russell Medical and Jackson Apothecary. Those two goals kickstarted our line of projects,” he explained.

One of the biggest projects to date, though, has

been ongoing for three years now. Part of the community didn’t have city water until now.

“We have an area called the Simpson community, and they do not have city water there. It’s probably close to 40 or 50 residents. We started trying to get grants about two or three years ago. With the help of the Tallapoosa County Commission, COVID relief money, along with our grants, we were able to start putting in 9 miles of city water pipe to give city water to those residents.

“It’s something that I, the city council, and all the other people that worked on it are very proud of. It’s giving our residents a better quality of life and dependable water. It creates other opportunities for residents, like raising the value of property and helping them with homeowner’s insurance,” Blasingame said.

Blasingame constantly explores new business prospects for New Site. A Montgomery-based business, Cushion Source, is nearing its one-year anniversary in its New Site location. Blasingame was eager to jump on the opportunity to bring yet another business to town, and with the upside of bringing in new jobs, it was something he knew he had to accomplish.

“There was an old textile manufacturing building here in New Site. We worked with the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance to ensure we could get Cushion Source to New Site. The company was looking to expand, and we made it happen. It gave residents the opportunity for new jobs, and they didn’t have to drive as far to go to work,” Blasingame explained.

He believes he was able to spot this opportunity thanks to his job as a full-time banker. With connections, Blasingame was able to form a new connection with Cushion Source and make another opportunity happen.

“I knew it was a good opportunity for New Site from word of mouth. In my profession here at the bank, I know a lot of people. I had a good friend of mine that worked at the company, Johnny Gordon,

Phill Blasingame

who’s from Alexander City. He let me know that they were looking to expand. Together, we started putting two and two together. I reached out to the owner, and it worked out,” Blasingame said.

When it comes to the mayor’s current lineup of projects, Blasingame believes additional businesses and housing for residents should be achievable within the next five years.

“We’d like to see business additions continue. We want to add quality restaurants, and truly, we are just always wanting to add a variety of choices for our residents. We want to keep our niche, but we need to grow, because if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. We don’t want that to happen. We don’t want to shrink. We want to provide necessities for people to want to come live in New Site.

“People are looking for more communities like New Site. They want the opportunity to have a safe environment where they can raise their families. They want good churches and school systems. All our projects have been centered around creating better service, better opportunities and complementing already existing services and opportunities,” he explained.

Expansion and growth are important to Blasingame, but they also are strategic moves. According to Blasingame, with the substantial growth going the area, it’s becoming harder to find land and houses for those wanting to settle in the charming town. The subdivision plan is a perfect remedy in his eyes, and he plans to keep an eye out for potential locations.

“The problem we have in New Site is that we don’t have enough land to sell. In other words, when land becomes available, it sells instantly. It’s good to see that. I would love to see a quality subdivision. It’s on my plate to try and find land that could accommodate a 15-house subdivision. It’s an opportunity I would like to see us explore,” Blasingame said.

Also on the forefront of his mind is the potential opportunity to add a building supply store and an auto parts store to the list of businesses.

Keep your eye on New Site, as the small town is already bursting with ample opportunities and the promise of more.

“We want New Site to grow in the right places,” Blasingame said.

Blasingame didn’t let the pandemic slow business growth in New Site

A medical clinic now serves New Site residents

A Force for Work

Central Alabama Community College trains for future jobs now

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY PHOTOS BY AUDRA SPEARS

Central Alabama Community College workforce training programs are not only creating workforce opportunities for students within the programs, but also, they create opportunities for local industry to connect with students who are eager to jump into the workforce. With several programs varying in length, students could bypass a four-year institution and join the workforce sooner.

“The college has always had some sort of workforce training. We have several different degree programs for students to choose,” said Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Programs Michael Barnette.

CACC currently has nine programs for students to explore, and the possibility of adding more is always on the table, according to Barnette.

Depending on the types of programs in which students participate, they could be out of school and into the workforce in as little as six weeks.

“Students can do their Associate of Applied

Science degree, which is a two-year degree that will transfer into a four-year degree if they want to continue with their education before joining the workforce. If they’re content after their twoyear degree, they could just utilize it and stay in the community and go into the industry,” Barnette explained.

Along with the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree, and depending on the student’s individual interests, CACC also offers opportunities for students to earn ALT degrees.

“We have our ALT degree, which could be welding, machine shop or cosmetology. Again, those can automatically transfer to a four-year institution if they want to go,” Barnette said.

According to Barnette, participating in these programs can present students with endless opportunities to continue their educations with knowledge already under their belts, or go straight into the workforce with the necessary knowledge to do their jobs well and be exemplary employees.

“These programs provide students with a lot of credentials. We have what’s called an NC3, and it gives them certifications for skills, such as precision measurement, learning how to run a multimeter and safety. Safety is always a big one, especially going into industry. We have made sure to embed a lot of programs with many credentials, such as fork-lift driving and those sorts of skills,” Barnette explained.

The opportunities for students are never-ending because there is a need for skilled employees ready to join the workforce nationwide. CACC could be a good resource for students because

CACC certification programs prepare students for workforce positions

Welding is one of CACC’s most popular programs

the school offers a wide array of industry and has relationships with workforce partners.

“We get the students set up to go straight into the workforce, but it’s really the student’s call if they want to continue their education or join the workforce straight away. Currently, our industry and workforce partners, they need people. They need skilled employees, and that’s one thing these programs skillfully provide,” he said.

Though these programs are targeted toward preparing students to join the workforce, they also offer opportunities for those already working in industry jobs to polish their skills.

“Most of our students, they’re already working in industry. Participating in these programs while working gives them that edge to hone their skills and improve. I would say it gives them that level

of professionalism, and it helps them stay in the industry,” Barnette explained.

For students participating in these programs who haven’t yet made their way into the workforce quite yet, opportunities are still plentiful. With CACC having an established footprint in the community, the college has formed connections with local employers.

“We have a lot of recruiters that are waiting on students to graduate. For example, our CDL program here is a six-week program. We have recruiters going after the students, probably from the first week they join until that six-week mark. The CDL program is probably 100 percent placement,” Barnette said.

With so many opportunities to join the workforce in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties, students

Students learn on the same equipment they would use on the job

When they complete the program, students are work ready

Nursing is another popular curriculum at Central Alabama Community College

don’t have to look far to find jobs. There are options and opportunities around every corner for students eager to jumpstart their careers and join the workforce.

“Whatever our students want, they can find it. It’s out there. They can go straight into whatever industry suits them and have a very lucrative career,” Barnette explained.

According to Barnette, the workforce training program staff is thankful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand to students trying to make their way into the workforce. The goal is not only to present students with workforce opportunities, but also to present local employers with opportunities to work with a dedicated, prepared workforce.

“The good thing about it is that most of these

young men and women that go through the programs are staying in the community. Our goals are to get the students through the programs, establish connections with the industry and get the students to stay here and work here. They’re staying in the community. They’re not going outside of the community to work in another county. They’re staying here,” Barnette said.

With opportunities for students and local employers, the workforce training programs are a great asset to the community and could further boost economic growth and quality of life in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties.

To view the courses and programs in the workforce training sector of CACC, visit cacc.edu.

Breaking Ground

STORY BY BETSY ILER

Work is expected to begin in April for the new Holiday Inn Express that will be built just off U.S. Route 280 near the City Hall Complex and Chick-fil-A. Jay Patel, the owner of the new hotel, will choose a contractor within a couple of weeks and will plan to use as many local subcontractors as possible during the construction, said Patel’s general manager, Janet Mason.

“It’s easier to deal with matters when it’s local, and we’re helping each other when we do that,” Mason said. “That’s how this town has grown into the beautiful area that is. Because we help each other.”

The $8 million project will add 20 new jobs to the area and will help the community to build revenues in a wide array of business sectors, from fishing tournaments to children’s sports activities, Lake Martin’s $5-plus million destination wedding industry, Auburn football traffic, business travelers and more.

The opportunity to build the new facility came to light in mid-2021 when Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller learned Patel was looking for a suitable building site. She contacted City officials to start a conversation. The project was announced some six months later.

The hotel’s design will follow the brand’s Formula Blue modern design program, including frictionless flow and a value-rich, uncomplicated experience. A plus of the design, especially for families and women traveling alone, is that it will feature guestroom access through indoor corridors, said Tallapoosa County Tourism Director Sandra Fuller.

“Some people want to stay in a hotel that offers inside-access to guestrooms. That’s a common request, especially among families, ball tournaments for kids and women. People who want to stay at inside hotels will go to another community close by the event they are visiting just to be at an inside hotel,” she said.

Fishing tournament anglers also could make up

a wide audience of guests at the new hotel, said Vivian Autrey, who along with her husband Mike, owns OGS Tournaments. The Holiday Inn Express will cater to anglers by installing electrical boxes, which will allow anglers to charge their onboard electronics overnight. Double parking spaces will offer easier arrival and departure, as boat trailers could remain hooked up to tow vehicles.

“OGS Tournaments is super excited about the new hotel coming to Alexander City. We lose many anglers to Lake Martin because we have very few hotels, and they cannot charge their electronics, which are essential to every tournament. If anglers come here and pre-fish on a Friday, they need to charge their boats and electronics for the tourna-

ment on Saturday,” Autry explained. “On other lakes, such as Guntersville or Eufala, all the surrounding hotels have electrical outlets and double parking.

“They even serve breakfast at 4 a.m. versus 6 a.m. to ensure that the anglers can get a free breakfast before they have to be on the water at daybreak. These areas that cater to the anglers have done extremely well. We hope that other hotels in our area will follow suit.”

The project was announced in late 2021 with a preliminary opening date in 2024.

“We still plan to be up and running in 2024,” Mason said. “Construction prices went up for a while, but they are coming back down now. All the

plans have been submitted to the City, and we’re looking to start grating on or around April 1.”

The three-story hotel will have convenient U.S. Route 280 access, and in addition to 70 guest rooms, the Holiday Inn Express will include a conference area and business center. Travelers also will have access to the fitness center equipment and swimming pool facilities that will be features of the new hotel.

“Bringing Holiday Inn Express to Alexander City is a much-needed addition and fills a gap, making additional rooms available for visitors,” Mayor Wood Baird said. “We appreciate the investment and confidence IHG shows in our growing economy.”

Construction will begin on the new Holiday Inn this spring

SHOW YOUR HEART SOME LOVE WITH A WINTERTIME CHECKUP

Wintertime in the South is mild compared to other parts of the country, but we still tend to be less active and spend more time indoors.

Show your heart some love this winter by getting it checked out at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Russell Medical.

Kevin Sublett, MD, is board-certified in cardiovascular care and offers the latest in prevention, testing, and treatment for keeping your heart healthy.

Our expanded clinical team is ready to serve you. Schedule a visit today by calling 256-234-2644.

HEART & VASCULAR CLINIC AT RUSSELL MEDICAL

3368 Highway 280, Suite 130 Alexander City, AL 35010

(256) 234-2644

uabmedicine.org/HeartRussell

It starts with one person

STORY BY ABIGAIL MURPHY

Annie L. Kendrick turned a need into an opportunity when she realized late last year that the COVID-19 pandemic had adversely affected social interactions and activities for senior citizens in Alexander City.

“I’m in and out at church and different activities, but I don’t see them (other senior citizens) no more,” she said. “It’s like I’m pacing the world and the location of Alex City, Tallapoosa County, and Goodwater and Coosa County, and nobody’s out there, but me. I said, ‘where are all the people?’ So, I want to bring our life back to activities.”

Kendrick said she has been involved with other senior citizen groups, one of which gave her the opportunity to go to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and being able to travel gave her the release that she needed. She said she then realized she could provide the same thing right here. -

She started with making some flyers and handing them out. Kendrick said she went to churches of any religion or race, putting the flyers in their doors.

They had 13 people at the first meeting and about 15 at the second. Kendrick said at the next meeting, she is aiming to have members pledge $100 toward the group. This will allow them to go on some trips and prepare to do some outreach for the community.

Two meetings in, the Cooper Recreational Senior Citizens Organization has already started their first community activity.

The senior organization donated toys to the Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources to sponsor three children for Christmas. Annie L. Kendrick, president of the senior citizen organization, said at their second meeting they knew they wanted to do something special for Christmas.

“The mindset that I have is that I’m willing to share. I want to be a giver,” Kendrick said. “I always said I’d rather give than to receive.”

A former member of DHR was at the new seniors group’s second meeting, and they were able to be a point of contact between the two enti-

ties. However, this is not all the senior organization has in store.

Kendrick said this group is about keeping seniors active in the community. While they are based in the Cooper Rec, people from all parts of the area are welcome from both Tallapoosa and Coosa County.

Since the New Year, the group has taken a daytrip to Old Towne in Opelika to eat and browse the shops. Additional trips are being planned to spend a spring day at Wind Creek State Park and to visit the Legacy Museum and riverfront in Montgomery, as well as sightseeing in Birmingham.

She hopes to find funding assistance for the Montgomery trip, as the admission price at the museum is steep for seniors on fixed incomes.

The group also is organizing a mission to supply shut-in seniors with paper goods.

“I want us to love on each other, to help each other,” Kendrick said. “If you see one of the senior citizens anywhere, if they look like they are struggling, I don’t care what they say about you afterwards: Stop and help. Lend your helping hand to that person.”

The senior citizens organization is sponsored by Tallapoosa County Commissioner, T.C. Coley, and their next meeting will be Jan. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Cooper Rec. For more information, individuals can also reach out to Kendrick at (256)749-1314.

Annie L. Kendrick filled a need for herself and for others

EDWARD BELL CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER

Students explore career fields and prepare for future jobs and education opportunities

STORY & PHOTOS BY BREANNA MANLEY

Taking a hands-on approach to technical career readiness, Dadeville’s Edward Bell Career Technical Center gives high school students a head start on good jobs.

Through proven success of career tech programs, the center has also added a recruitment tool on wheels. A converted RV houses simulators and other learnings to teach students about career technical opportunities. The RV will visit local schools, so students could learn more about career tech and what it could do for them in the future.

“We receive a lot of support from the community. Of course, we’re always going to keep working on that. At the center, for example, this year we have roughly 420 students enrolled in our programs,” said CTE Director for the district James Chamness.

Along with EBCTC, career technical courses are provided by several schools in the district. According to Chamness, Reeltown and Horseshoe Bend have three programs each, and Dadeville has an agri-science program.

“If you included all of those career tech students at the high schools into that number, you’re probably looking at about 600 to 700 kids enrolled in career tech programs in Tallapoosa County,” Chamness explained.

Depending on the popularity of the programs, the enrollment number varies from year to year. According to Chamness, the welding program is becoming increasingly more popular.

“We have to turn kids away in our welding class because it’s busting at the seams. It’s a dual enrollment and a regular credit course. It’s packed out for our space, for what we can do with the space we have available. Computer science is probably our next highest enrollment course because of the content and the material,” Chamness said.

Students who wish to learn more about a career field through one of these programs are not required to have specific grade point averages or previous knowledge of the subject programs.

“We use the Alabama Career Planning System to try and help the kids narrow down their interests;

and then, we put them in a program that mostly, or closely, aligns with what their interests are. In some courses, there are foundational courses they have to take as a prerequisite, and others there’s not. It really depends on the course and the program area,” Chamness explained.

If a student decides to be part of a program that requires foundational courses, that coursework can be done through the center unless the program is based in the student’s high school.

The programs are available for 10th through 12th grades, with the occasional opportunity for ninth graders to participate.

As someone who sought out career technical programs during his formative years, Chamness knows firsthand how beneficial the programs and courses can be. Whether they lead students straight into the workforce, toward college or onto a different avenue, the hands-on approach offers students the chance to explore career interests.

“I’m a product of career technical education myself, and it made a lot of difference in my life. Employability skills are huge. The social aspect of the student organizations, like FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, SkillsUSA – those student organizations really help kids showcase their talent and give them opportunities for speaking, learning and applying those employability skills.

“About 75 percent of those students that concentrate in CTE enroll in secondary education of some kind. That’s the general statistic. Our goal is to get those kids to the next level, whether that be military, the workforce or college of some sort. Dual enrollment partnerships are big for us, and we do dual enrollment partnerships currently with Central Alabama Community College in welding, health science and academics, as well,” Chamness explained.

According to Chamness, the center offers career readiness indicators, which are certifications for students who then could get a leg-up when exploring different career opportunities.

With a steady student population entering career technical programs throughout the county, plans are in the works to better improve existing programs through different approaches. EBCTC plans to up the center’s social media presence and marketing strategy. Chamness hopes to release a recruiting video to the county schools soon. Another area the center hopes to improve has to do with the connections between career technical students and possible employers.

“Another thing we’re going to work on here in Tallapoosa County is our connections with the business and industry partners, so we can create a direct pipeline for those kids to go to work. Field trips and job shadowing are big for us. The workbased learning piece of each career tech program is also a huge way to connect those students,” Chamness said.

Along with introducing and teaching students about specific career fields and providing opportunities to job shadow and tour potential workplaces, EBCTC has a career coach and other dedicated staff members to guide students in the direction of a steady life after graduation.

Visit the Edward Bell Career Technical Center website for more information on programs and career tech opportunities in Tallapoosa County.

From Left: Safety, developing skills, critical thinking and preparation are part of the curriculum at EBCTC

The Heritage and Wicker Point Golf Club create opportunities throughout the community

Beyond Imagination

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTOS BY KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF RUSSELL LANDS

Russell Lands’ Wicker Point Golf Club and The Heritage drive growth throughout the community

If you build it at Lake Martin, they will come; the adage is perhaps more true of lake home opportunities than anything else, but lakefront development has the potential to heavily influence off-water growth as well.

The most recent case in point: Russell Lands’ The Heritage neighborhood and the Coore & Crenshaw-designed Wicker Point Golf Club.

Until a couple of years ago, The Ridge was the largest home development on Lake Martin for the last 15 years. As the final phase of construction at The Ridge wound down just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell Lands explored plans for a new neighborhood with a unique and very special amenity – Alabama’s only golf course designed by the best of the best architectural teams, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The project was still in the discussion phase when the country went into lockdown over the virus in March 2020, but Lake Martin unexpectedly boomed.

“That first Friday when COVID hit, I went to town to Winn Dixie. It was wiped out. There was nothing on the shelves,” said Russell Lands Vice President of Real Estate Steve Arnberg, who assumed the shopping spree was due to local residents stocking up for self-imposed quarantines. “When I asked the store manager about it, he said, ‘This is people coming to the lake. They’re going to shelter in place here.’”

A few days later, Arnberg and his wife visited

a grocery store in town – off the main thoroughfares to the lake. Those shelves were nearly fully stocked.

“It shows how many people come to the lake, since lake homeowners from Birmingham drive right by Winn Dixie,” Arnberg concluded.

In March of 2020, Lake Martin was as busy as the Fourth of July. Lake rentals were full; marinas pumped gas full time; and nearly the entire stock of boats at Lake Martin was sold out. As more people clamored for lake houses, real estate prices skyrocketed. It was not unusual for lake homes to sell at more than $100,000 or more above asking.

Retail developers interested in building on the vacant corner at the intersection of State Route 63 and U.S. Route 280 paused on their commitment at the beginning of the pandemic, Arnberg said.

“They wanted to hear that Russell Lands was moving forward, that we were indeed going to develop Wicker Point,” he said. “When they chose to come because of that, others in that shopping center were more willing.”

Russell Lands moved forward with plans to create their most luxurious project yet, and in April of 2021, the company announced The Heritage project, a 1,500-acre neighborhood on 12 miles of shoreline adjacent to Russell Forest on the Wicker Point peninsula. The golf course, which was started before the first home construction phase opened, now is nearing completion, and Russell

The Coore & Crenshaw designed course will open later this year

The new neighborhood will support retired lake life with top-of-the-line amenities

Lands Vice President Roger Holliday said its economic impact potential is significant.

“We already have had people from all over the country contacting us wanting to know more about Lake Martin, and some of them are interested in buying property at The Heritage,” Holliday said.

Home ownership at The Heritage is the catalyst for membership at the Wicker Point course for the time being. Except for an early bird membership offering for Willow Point members, there are no other membership opportunities currently available, Holliday said.

“We do anticipate some sort of national membership opportunity at some point,” he added. As is the case at other Coore & Crenshaw courses around the world, significant traffic is expected.

“There are a lot of folks who will fly in and bring guests, host a big golf group. In addition to what they spend, that is a lot of exposure to a whole lot of folks,” Holliday said. “And it’s all because the course has that Coore & Crenshaw stamp on it. These guys don’t build golf courses in ordinary places.”

Two-time Masters champion “Gentle Ben” Crenshaw joined professional designer Bill Coore, who began his career with Pete Dye and Associates, in 1985. The pair share an appreciation for the Golden Era of golf architecture – courses built between 1916 and 1930. Earthmovers and other large excavating equipment had not yet been developed, so the 5,000-plus golf courses built around the U.S. during this 15-year period showcased the topography and natural features of the land.

That is what Russell Lands wanted for The Heritage endeavor. When the full project has been built out, it could include some 240 waterfront lots and another 150 interior homesites, the golf facilities and perhaps even a marina, Russell Lands President and CEO Tom Lamberth said. The accompanying clubhouse, designed by Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, will set the

tone for classic golf and an authentic Lake Martin experience in craftsman style. A standalone golf shop, complete with pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms, also will feature a “wind down” room, including a lounge area and adjacent bar.

In addition to providing local jobs through the construction phases, operational staff will be needed for the world-class facility.

“And as far as economic impact in the area, once it’s up and running, there will be a sizeable number of jobs. Certainly at least 50. We have half of that now just getting it ready,” Holliday said.

As Russell Lands committed resources to growth with the Wicker Point project, other developers around the lake also started new projects. Still, it wasn’t enough to fill the appetite for homes on Lake Martin, and prices continued to climb.

Longtime lake residents in older neighborhoods, like Trillium, Windermere and Stillwaters, considered selling their properties at record profits and moving to larger cities to be close to advanced-age healthcare facilities.

It was the right time for Ben and Luanne Russell to make a significant contribution to the future of the Lake Martin area in honor of Ben’s grandfather, who started a business in 1902 that became a Fortune 500 company. In February of 2022, Russell Medical announced the Legacy geriatric project (see page 30).

“People who were going to move away from the lake to be close to medical care began to think differently,” Arnberg said. “When you have a geriatric care center added to a hospital that also includes an independent living facility and assisted living section, there’s even more reason for someone to retire to the lake area. I’m excited about that. This is something that will benefit our community.”

The first phase of The Heritage neighborhood consisted of 52 lots at premium pricing with exceptional amenities – 47 sold in fewer than a two weeks. Release of Phase 2 was moved up on the calendar. Thirty-one additional lots are expected to be available in late spring.

Property owners in older lake neighborhoods did sell their homes – to move to The Heritage, where topography plays an important role in the lifestyle. In contrast to the steeper shorelines of many areas around the lake, property at The Heritage is relatively flat. The area could better accommodate one-story or two-story living.

“The Heritage is relatively flat and provides opportunities for single level or two-level construction, going up instead of going down, better accommodating the demographic of our most prevalent customer,” Arnberg said. “For the changing demographics, that’s a big deal. It means being able to walk out to the pier without a lot of steps in between. That’s a feature of The Heritage that you don’t see in many areas of the lake.”

Steve Arnberg

Making the most of the changing lake lifestyles requires thinking beyond what Russell Lands is famous for – beautiful craftsman and farmhouse styles with rustic exteriors and heavy timbers.

“But it still needs to fit at the lake,” Arnberg added. “We will need to embrace a wide variety of designs. We do have more people who want to do things a little more modern but still fit the environment at the lake.”

Embracing new designs on The Heritage property opens the lake to a major upgrade in overall design criteria.

“It’s fun talking about different designs. People are loving the idea of doing something new and different,” Arnberg said. “It allows people to have more rooms that face the water instead of just key rooms with views. Sometimes, rooms get left out on the hillside design.”

A similar design concept was introduced on the lake’s east shoreline in 2018 when Alabama Power collaborated with Nequette Architecture and Design on the Kennebec preservation community. That concept included a cabin community with lake access and a strong connection to the natural, flat landscape. At the time, architect Louis Nequette described the homes as having lower roof lines in a style that borrowed vernacular length from mid-century modern and Frank Lloyd Wright models.

The Heritage lot sizes are expected to average 250 feet wide instead of the smaller standard of

160 feet. That size will allow more privacy between the lots as well as wider designs for homes.

“We’re looking at a minimum of 2,500 square feet as a good starting point. We’re more concerned about houses that look like they fit on the land. We’re making the lots a little wider, so the houses are not so close to each other.”

More open land and design criteria for the lot size means designers and architects will have a clean slate to work with as they create the next generation of homes on Lake Martin, Arnberg said.

The scenario offers easier access to the lake for older retired residents who would like to remain in their lake homes through advancing age – not as part-time second-home owners but as permanent residents.

This growth also could have tremendous impact in the communities around the lake.

“The people that we deal with are very successful in life. They have been CEOs of major corporations, and with that experience and knowledge, those people come and retire to the lake and bring that with them. They get involved. They solve problems and make things happen,” Arnberg explained. “If we can get them involved in our community, our community benefits.”

In cities and towns throughout Tallapoosa and Coosa counties, we have an opportunity to be more vocal about what’s happening on our Main Streets and courthouse squares for the lake community to enjoy.

Large, level lots will offer privacy, outdoor living opportunities and easy access to docks

Wind Creek

STORY BY BETSY ILER

PHOTO BY KENNETH BOONE, CLIFF WILLIAMS & BETSY ILER

The beach at Wind Creek State Park is a popular spot during summer months

For the first time in 30 years, Wind Creek State Park has a fulltime naturalist on staff to develop programs exclusively for the Lake Martin park and surrounding communities, said WCSP Superintendent Bruce Adams. And that’s just one of several new opportunities coming to the park.

Randy Gillispie was hired Jan. 3 and is eager to add programs, improve trails with the help of the state trails coordinator and enhance park experiences for campers and day-use visitors.

“He also will be present in the community,” Adams said. “He’ll be working with the local library, Scout groups, 4-H, Horseshoe Bend and other places to do programs.”

Gillispie will plan a full schedule of park activities, as well, including the upcoming Easter egg hunt on March 25. The hunt attracts children from not only the campground but also from across Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. The hunt has evolved over time but has been a feature at the park for more than 20 years.

Since the early ’90s, park volunteers and a district naturalist have served WCSP and other parks in the region, but with increased attendance and the passing of a recent bond issue, the opportunity rose for the park to have a dedicated naturalist on staff.

“Having someone in the position full time will open up more opportunities for better guest experiences. Randy likes bird watching and takes part in the annual Backyard Bird Count, and he’s been involved in natural resource management,” Adams said.

The bond issue also created other opportunities

at this state park gem on Alabama’s only Treasured Lake, Adams said.

Improvements at campsites in the B and C sections are in the planning stages.

“Surveyors are on the ground now preparing infrastructure surveys. We expect to possibly start construction around the middle of July,” Adams said.

Assistant Superintendent at WCSP Larrmy Warren said some 200 sites had been blocked off to prepare for the upcoming project, but those sites have been reopened and will remain open until after the Fourth of July holiday. Demand for campsites at the park remains high after the pandemic, as most of the reopened sites were reserved within a mere few days after the availability was announced on social media.

Sites in the improved section will be wider and larger than standard campsites and will include 50-amp service, which is more in demand among RVers today. The interior sites in these sections will not require seven-day reservations, as is the case in WCSP’s current premium site section, Warren said.

“Campers will have a choice. The waterfront sites will have a seven-day minimum, but the interior sites could be reserved for fewer days,” he explained.

The new sections also will include an increase in the number of ADA-access sites, which are larger than regular campsites. New ADA-compliant, prefabricated bathhouses also will be added, Adams said.

“They will have more features than ADA requires, but we don’t know yet what those will

July 4th events at the park include a parade with decorated bicycles

Catch a great view from the zipline canopy

be,” he said.

The bond issue also opened the opportunity to increase the park’s cabin offerings. The seven cabins WCSP currently rents are booked year-round, so the plan could include the addition of some tiny homes, camper cabins or facilities similar to glamping.

In addition, the overall improvement plan includes 10 multi-generational cottages in the North Picnic area. The new cabins are expected to alleviate some of the pressure on the cabins in the campground area.

“These will be full-service cottages. The last plan we saw was three-bedroom, two-bath on the water in the North Picnic area. The concept of the cottages is that families with several generations could vacation together,” Warren explained.

“Depending on how Montgomery manages the long-term contracts and bidding, it could work out that both of these major projects could be started at the same time,” Warren said.

The improvements could provide a boost to recreational opportunities inside the park as well. Currently, WCSP offers a volunteer-staffed putt-

putt golf course that will open with weekend hours this spring. Vendor-hosted activities also are offered.

Rockin K offers guided horseback riding tours on some of the park’s trails. The experience provides a unique means of seeing the trails and is a popular adventure at Wind Creek, Adams said.

Also, an aerial adventure zipline was added at WCSP in 2018. This feature opens for the season in March and usually takes reservations for weekend-only aerial tours until Memorial Day when fulltime hours are offered.

Such concession opportunities are win-win situations for both the vendors and the park. Private parties make money offering recreational activities to park patrons at the lake, and the park can provide more value for camping and day-use guests without incurring deep-pocket investments or expenses or dedicating employees to the endeavors.

“We’ve got some good opportunities, and there’s a lot going on behind the scenes for the future of the park,” Adams said.

Randy Gillispie

Tournament nglers prepare to go after the big one at daybreak

The Renfroe’s Market Niche

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY

PHOTO BY BREANNA MANLEY & COURTESY OF MEREDITH RENFROE

Renfroe’s Market is upping their customer service by adding Instacart to all seven of their locations. With this new opportunity to make shopping easier for customers, owners of this local business are excited for the future of their company. Adding this accessible shopping option is a new and exciting way to connect with customers and offer them yet another shopping option.

Renfroe’s Market was originally founded in 1997 by Robert Renfroe and has since grown exponentially across several counties. Currently, there are three locations in Montgomery and one location each in Alexander City, Dadeville, Phenix City and LaFayette. Though they already have several locations up and running, the Renfroe family is open to expanding further if and when the opportunity presents itself.

“We’re always looking for opportunities. Whether it be remodeling the stores to better meet our customers’ demands or opening a new location. We’re always trying to better our stores and better the company for our employees,” said Renfroe’s Market Vice President Rob Renfroe, son of the original founder.

Along with offering Instacart, the market connects with customers through the Renfroe’s Market app, where they find coupons and receive updates on hot deals. A loyalty program also is an

option for shoppers, along with email updates on happenings at the stores.

“We are in the process of rolling out Instacart to all our locations. We went live in late January. Customers can now order on Instacart. We have also tried to do our best with our digital coupon program. We have anywhere from 100 to 200 digital coupons available to our customers every week on our app.

“Not only does the app have the coupons, but it also has a loyalty program. We try to help our customers whenever we can, and the app also gives us the opportunity to communicate with them through push notifications. We can tell them if we’re having a sale or something along those lines. Our email that we send out every week gives a snapshot of what we’re trying to give to our customers,” Renfroe explained.

Providing customer service is one of the top priorities of the company, and through benefits such as the loyalty program, Renfroe believes they are achieving it.

“It sounds kind of cliché, but customer service is something we try to hang our hat on. For us, customer service means being spoken to when you come in. It means being greeted throughout the store throughout the shopping process.

“We want to help customers find something if they need it, just being present if they need us

Renfroe’s has stores in Dadeville and Alexander City in Tallapoosa County

through that shopping experience. When the customer gets to the register, we unload their cart, bag it and take it to their car for them. We want the customer to know that we appreciate them shopping with us,” Renfroe said.

Customer service isn’t the only thing Renfroe’s is known for. The company does its best to provide shoppers with opportunities to try new things, from produce and meats to a unique craft beer selection.

“Our wholesale company is Mitchell Grocery Corporation. They are a family-owned wholesale company out of Albertville. We rely on them to help us source the best meat, whether that be the Sterling Silver Premium meat we offer or Seaboard pork. They help facilitate the procurement of that,” Renfroe explained.

The craft beer portion of the store is given a lot of attention by the company. Offering customers opportunities to try unique and sometimes hard-to-come-by beverages, Renfroe’s hopes to achieve an edge in the grocery market.

“We try and focus on that. It’s been a big staple of ours. We try to get as much as we can. A couple of years ago, we partnered with Back Forty Beer Company. They brew a private label for us called Froe’s Local Light. It’s neat for us to have

our own beer. We try to give as many options as possible to our customers. Something new is always coming out, a new flavor or brand. We’re always wanting to stay on top of that. We always want to give our customers the best that we can,” Renfroe said.

The Renfroe family loves that they can offer a quality experience within their business. Expanding store locations and merchandise selections are viewed by the Renfroes as possible opportunities. To them, Renfroe’s Market is much more than just a grocery store; it’s an opportunity to connect with the customer on a deeper level.

“For me, it’s a challenging business, no doubt. Being an independent grocer presents a lot of problem-solving opportunities, just like any other small business out there. We wear a lot of different hats every day.

“That’s what keeps the business interesting. It allows me, while I’m in the stores, to create a relationship with our customers. I think that’s what I enjoy most about the business – being able to serve people in the community and get to know them, whether it be by face or by name,” Renfroe explained.

Clockwise from Right: The store stocks its own specialty brands, including beer and seasonings, and offers an abundance of fresh produce

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