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Shelby County mayors gave an update on the state of their respective cities during the annual State of Our Communities Luncheon on Feb. 19 in Pelham. (Reporter photos/Alec Etheredge)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

PELHAM – Mayors from across the county provided an update on the growth of their cities and discussed major upcoming projects during the Shelby County Chamber’s annual State of our Communities Luncheon. The luncheon was held at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During the luncheon, each mayor in Shelby County took turns in alphabetical order addressing the current state of their respective city with an outlook on housing, commercial, public works and more.

Alabaster

 The first mayor to present was Scott Brakefield of Alabaster who provided a breakdown of the city’s current economic affairs. The city of Alabaster has a budget of $85 million for fiscal year 2025 with $7.1 million set aside to assist Alabaster City Schools.

“We view our partnership with Alabaster City Schools as one from strength,” Brakefield said. “We think that the better they are, the better that we are… We view them as our No. 1 economic driver.”

Brakefield included several significant projects in his breakdown of the current state of affairs, including $1.75 million set to go into the project to widen Interstate 65 from Alabaster to Calera and $9 million in capital improvements to the city sewer system.

With Alabaster continuing to grow, Brakefield highlighted several upcoming major projects for the city going into to 2025 and 2026, including the construction of a new recreation center and library, the completion of The Shoppes at District 31, progress on phase II of the Highway 119 widening project and more businesses joining the city with the future openings of Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant and Bar and Taco Bell. The city is also placing an emphasis on walkable infrastructure with investments in the expansion and paving of the Buck Creek Trail and the goal of creating an interconnected trail system across the city.

During his presentation, Brakefield shared that he plans to run for reelection as mayor and that he hopes to see a lot of the projects reach completion.

Brakefield closed his address by highlighting several of the accolades that the city of Alabaster has recently received, including being named No. 34 in the Top 50 best places to live for families by Fortune for 2024.

“I started this brief little presentation off with the spirit of teamwork and collaboration that we have in the city of Alabaster, across all of our departments,” Brakefield said. “It results from being able to be recognized by national publications and make things a lot better for our citizens and residents.”

Calera

Calera Mayor Jon Graham focused his presentation on the city’s recent efforts to address contraband and its popular implementation of cameras.

Graham highlighted a recent arrest made in the city in which two individuals were arrested in Calera transporting 46 pounds of cocaine. The arrest was made by the Calera Police Department who first stopped the vehicle due to its lack of a tail light.

Graham also expressed his appreciation for Information Technology Director James Fuller and the city’s recent implementation of a camera system which allows first responders and citizens to monitor the status of railroad crossings in real-time. The new tool is available through the MyCalera app which is on Apple and Android devices. Graham also shared that there are three new hotels coming to the city and that Calera is working diligently on plans for a bridge over the CSX railroad in downtown alongside its Main Street redevelopment project.

“We have about $35.5 million of investment going into water, sewer, road infrastructure and engineering initiatives to enhance the city’s future,” Graham said.

Chelsea

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer opened his address by sharing that the city of Chelsea has seen improvements in its housing market. The city saw 450 homes sold in 2024 with 32 sold in January 2025. The average price of homes in Chelsea were the same in 2023 and 2024.

“The city of Chelsea continues to grow in a strong and vibrant commercial and retail environment and a much improved housing market,” Picklesimer said.

Picklesimer said that the city’s partnership with the Shelby County Schools Board of Education continues to be a top priority for the council. For fiscal year 2025, Chelsea is giving each of its schools $30,000 to use at their discretion in addition to the funds that are distributed through its Nick Grant application program. The city’s education fund has provided more than $1.7 million in grants to students.

“It’s really been a great program,” Picklesimer said. “This money is designed to improve the overall classroom experience and equipment for our classrooms.”

Picklesimer shared that the council is continuing to work with the SCS Board of Education on moving toward the completion of its master plan with the last major piece being the construction of a competition gymnasium at Chelsea High School.

“We’re proud of our city,” Picklesimer said. “We’re proud of how it looks (and) how it feels. The ‘All about family’ slogan remains as important as it was in our formation just a few years ago in 1996. The future of Chelsea is bright and I look forward to watching it grow and prosper well beyond myself and this City Council as I complete my second and final term as mayor. I would like to say what an honor it has been to serve this great city.”

Columbiana 

During his overview of the current state of affairs in Columbiana, Mayor David Mitchell highlighted the city’s population growth as well as new growth in the housing and economic sector.

Mitchell said that the city’s growth dipped during 2020 but now has recovered. In 2025, Columbiana’s current population is estimated to be at 5,004 which is an increase from the 2020 census which measured it at 4,462. Since fiscal year 2021, the city has seen a 44 percent increase in sales tax revenue with a 250 percent increase in business license revenue and a 307 percent increase in building permits. The city has seen its Main Street revitalized with 75 percent of its businesses being new.

“This is something that I’m proud of,” Mitchell said. “We have new ownership, we have new tenants, we have viable businesses on Main Street. And so, that’s been a very positive change for our city.”

Mitchell discussed upcoming projects in the city, including new pickleball courts, new tennis courts, Kiwanis Park improvements and a project to improve and widen two miles of West College Street and add walking and bike paths.

The city is also set to see two new businesses soon with one being a 22,000 square foot agricultural retailer and a new facility on industrial parkway in the former Grede building.

“We’re looking forward to that,” Mitchell said. “Those two projects will create 100 jobs in Columbiana.”

As city heads forward, Mitchell expressed concerns over funding for the city as a significant amount of its projects are made possible by grants—which could potentially be impacted by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Mitchell concluded by sharing that 2026 will mark the 200th anniversary of Columbiana being designated as the county seat and that there will be a celebration.

Harpersville

Harpersville Mayor Theangelo Perkins provided an update on the state of housing in the city and its upcoming project to develop a downtown area. There are currently four housing developments in the process of being completed in the Town of Harpersville, including Harpers Creek, Garrett Farms, Morgan Creek and Rawya Farms.

Perkins shared that the Town of Harpersville has purchased property between Highway 25 and Highway 280 and are working on building a main street with a connector street. The city is also working to improve its infrastructure with a $5.3 million investment in upgraders to its water system and water main. Additionally, the city has plans for a multiuse trail system that will connect the town’s various subdivisions to the new main street.

“Harpersville: rich past, bright future,” Perkins said. “Come see us.”

Helena

During his presentation on the city of Helena, Mayor Brian Puckett focused on the city’s approach to growth, its upcoming projects and new transportation program.

“We are growing strategically,” Puckett said. “We are growing in a rate that we will be able to sustain into years to come.”

Puckett highlighted the city’s continued work on its Helena Forward project which involves the construction of a new city hall for which he said cost approximately $17 million. He shared that the project is expected to be completed in August. Puckett said the facility will house the council chambers on the second floor so that seniors can easily access the new senior center which will be located on the ground level. Additionally, the city will construct a 124-acre sports and leisure park which will offer championship baseball fields and softball fields, youth baseball fields and softball fields, multiuse fields, a splash pad and more.

Puckett also highlighted that the city has invested into emergency medical services transportation after previously purchasing two transport vehicles. The city is currently a year and two months into its training process for the program. The city also has mutual aid agreements with the cities of Alabaster and Pelham.

Puckett concluded his presentation by highlighting the city’s annual public events, including Helena Old Town Live and its Fourth of July celebration.

“Family is what we like to do, family is what we have and that’s why Helena should be your place to come live and enjoy and play,” Puckett said.

Hoover

Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato provided a breakdown of major projects happening in the Jefferson County portion of Hoover before moving on to Shelby County. The city is working on investing in the Galleria and will be conducting a study to see how to utilize the facility in the future. Brocato said one of the most exciting recent economic developments for the city was the recent announcement of a new Trader Joe’s coming.

Brocato said the city is excited about the technology businesses that are moving into the Meadowbrook area and shared that Bassmasters is moving its headquarters into Inverness. The city of Hoover is also making a $20 million investment into the National Computer Forensics Institute in the city which typically brings about 5,000 people to the city each year to train.

The final project Brocato highlighted is the Riverwalk development which will be a mixed-use zone that the city plans to develop into a healthcare quarter with a medical facility, commercial space and resident space.

“We think in Hoover, because of our school system, our public safety system, our parks and rec—all those things are those for companies and for employers to bring their people to our city because we know that we can give them a great quality of life,” Brocato said.

Montevallo

During his presentation, Montevallo Mayor Rusty Nix focused on the city’s new hotel and a new project near Moore’s Crossroads.

“We’ve been pursuing a hotel in Montevallo since 2008, and we’re finally going to make it happen,” Nix said.

A Cobblestone Inn and Suites will be constructed at 55 Main Street across from City Hall at the corner of Main Street and Shelby Street. The facility is located at the former Victory Autos & Collision Center. Nix shared that he believes the city can support the hotel due to the significant number of scheduled events put on through the University of Montevallo.

The city is also currently working on refurbishing Moore’s Crossroads with a $2.1 million grant. Nix shared that the city is still waiting on the environmental survey from the Alabama Department of Transportation. Once the survey is completed, the city will commit to a purchase and work on the project.

Montevallo is also exploring the potential development of a community center facility across from Shoal Creek Park.

Pelham

During the luncheon, Gary Waters delivered his final State of Our Communities address as Pelham’s mayor. During his speech, he complimented his fellow mayors and expressed his appreciation for his staff, including Pelham’s city manager.

“My city manager, Gretchen DiFante, has put together one of the strongest, most powerful, capable leadership teams,” Waters said.

During the address, Waters highlighted the city’s recent purchase of the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property for $5.3 million. The amphitheatre will be demolished to help pave the way for the city to expand the already existing Pelham Arts & Entertainment District. Waters did not confirm what the facility will be.

“It’s not going to be an amphitheatre, but it’s not going to be a nuclear waste dump,” Waters said.

At the conclusion of his address, Waters raised a toast to the mayors of Shelby County for the difficult work that they accomplish.

Westover

 Westover Mayor Larry Riggins shared that Westover is continuing to grow its housing market with its biggest challenge being the recruitment of retail businesses into the city.

“We know we’ve got to have rooftops to bring business,” Riggins said. “We don’t have any brick-and-mortar stores to speak of. So, we’re looking forward to having that happen in the next few months.”

Riggins shared that the city began collecting a 1 percent tax to be utilized towards education which the city will begin distributing to Chelsea schools in 2025. Riggins also highlighted the city’s emergency medical services transport system and partnership with Harpersville, Vincent and the county. Riggins shared that he will not be running for reelection and expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to serve as mayor.

“It’s been a pleasure coming before this group the past nine years, and I hope that you continue to have success in Shelby County and in your Shelby County Chamber,” Riggins said.

Wilton

Wilton Mayor Deborah Hudson focused her address on the city’s continued growth, infrastructure improvements and future.

“We are proud to have our own water and gas system where most small towns do not have that now,” Hudson said. “We are good neighbors, we establish partnerships with others. And in 2025, we are going to strive and we are going to stand for what is right.”

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