By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster officials are looking to keep more sales tax dollars in the city while helping to support local businesses through its “Buy Alabaster First” campaign.

The city launched the website on Jan. 3 at Cityofalabaster.com/shop-alabaster-first-business-directory.

The website contains a listing for every business registered in Alabaster, including an interactive map highlighting each business’ location. Businesses are broken down into 44 categories, such as animal care, grocery stores and restaurants.

Businesses are able to claim their listings on the website and add detailed information, such as summaries of the business’ offerings and their hours of operation.

Website users can also sign up for email notifications, which will alert them of business specials, job opportunities and more. The city is also finalizing plans to launch an iPhone and Android mobile app for the program.

Alabaster City Administrator George Henry said the program will help to support Alabaster’s businesses and will help to strengthen city services.

“Making local purchases when possible allows for services to be funded that lead to increased qualify of life in a community,” Henry said. “Given the fact residential property tax is less than one-eighth of (Alabaster’s) budget, the need to receive taxes from sales use and business licenses is important.”

Henry said the Buy Alabaster First program was created with the help of the City Council, state Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon and the Alabaster Industrial Development Board.