By GINNY COOPER/Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA—The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce celebrated the mayors of Shelby County at its monthly chamber luncheon Thursday, May 1.

Representatives from Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham, Westover, Wilsonville, Wilton and Vincent gathered to give a brief update on their city’s progress, and each mayor emphasized the collaborative community in Shelby County.

“This is a good group of folks, and I’m proud to be one of them,” said Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon, who also pointed out the growth of medical officials in Alabaster’s Medical Mile as well as ongoing infrastructure improvement projects.

Calera Mayor Jon Graham hinted at a new business looking to located in Calera, which would employ between 200 to 400 people.

“We should have some good news to announce,” Graham said.

Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven spoke about new businesses and community centers in Chelsea, with a 29,000-foot community center and a 105-acre sports complex being developed.

The new trolley in Columbiana was also a popular topic among the mayors, and Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley proudly pointed out that it is the “only free ride transit system in the county.”

Helena Mayor Mark Hall noted that “great citizenship and residents” are what make Helena unique, while Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost talked about all of the exciting new projects in Montevallo.

“There is more going on now in Montevallo than in the history of Montevallo,” Cost said.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters addressed the new school system, which he said is “on schedule,” and said that Pelham is “committed to providing the best education to our students.”

Wilsonville Mayor Lee McCarty spoke about three new infrastructure projects in the town, and Westover Mayor Mark McLaughlin talked about the library, city hall, storm shelter and park in the town.

Wilton Mayor City Clerk April Price said the town lobes the “small town feel” of the community, and Vincent Mayor Ray McAllister said his town has “improvements every month.”

“This group really does work together,” McAllister said of the mayors.