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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Shelby County leaders and community members gathered Wednesday, Oct. 29, for the Shelby County Chamber’s annual State of the County luncheon, where County Manager Chad Scroggins highlighted the county’s progress over the past year and the initiatives planned for 2026.

Hosted by the Shelby County Chamber at the Pelham Civic Complex, the luncheon featured remarks from Chamber chair Kevin Morris and Scroggins, who both reflected on what makes Shelby County distinct among Alabama’s 67 counties.

“The state of Shelby County is so much different than the state of other areas, because it’s truly about the county,” Morris said. “We have a great county administrative team that takes care of us daily. We do things differently in Shelby County, and it shows.”

Morris praised the county’s leadership and community-oriented approach, commending Scroggins for his hands-on management and personal investment in the county.

“We’re very fortunate that in our county we have a county manager,” Morris said. “Not all counties do. We’re honored to have Chad Scroggins in this role. He’s an all-around good guy who serves us well, and one of the things he does well is listen.”

Taking the podium, Scroggins said he considers it an honor to serve as Shelby County’s manager and emphasized how the county’s structure—with nine commissioners and an executive-style management role—has allowed it to move efficiently and strategically.

“We’re able to really accomplish things at speeds that other counties cannot,” Scroggins said. “Our commissioners and our staff make decisions that are beneficial to all 808 square miles of our county.”

Scroggins outlined what he called the four main pillars of quality of life in Shelby County: public safety, education, employment and outdoor recreation.

He noted that Shelby County continues to rank among the best in the state, boasting Alabama’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.1 percent and leading in categories such as per capita income, median household income, education rate and health outcomes.

Shelby County’s population grew 1.2 percent from 2024 to 2025, from 235,969 to 238,934 residents. Property values rose to more than $6 billion, with $142 million in new value added over the past year.

“We have the lowest unemployment rate in the state of Alabama,” Scroggins said. “Our population growth cycle is steady, and we’re seeing growth in subdivisions. The majority of our county is employed, and they want to work.”

Scroggins also detailed several key infrastructure and quality-of-life investments, including:

– EMS transport improvements: A $2.4 million annual investment by the Shelby County Commission has reduced emergency response times, saving lives—including that of Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judge Matt Fridy.

– Public safety communications: The county added nine radio towers and purchased 700 new portable radios using $2.5 million in ARPA funding.

– Jail expansion: A $28 million project adding 42 new mental health and segregation beds is nearing completion.

– I-65 expansion: A $300 million project, accelerated by a $20 million local contribution, aims to ease traffic congestion in Alabaster and Calera.

– Water infrastructure: Shelby County is investing $15 million in connecting its two water treatment plants to secure long-term capacity.

– Landfill and recreation: The county maintains 1,200 acres of landfill space—enough for more than a century—and continues to invest in parks, trails and community facilities.

Scroggins highlighted partnerships with local municipalities and organizations, such as Discover Shelby and the University of Montevallo, that have advanced tourism, trail development and community recreation. This year, the county awarded more than $540,000 in park and recreation grants to schools and municipalities across Shelby County.

Among those grants were $100,000 for the city of Alabaster, $97,806 for Meadow View Elementary, $70,000 for the city of Montevallo and additional funding for projects in Calera, Vincent and Inverness.

Scroggins also underscored the importance of regional cooperation, saying that Shelby County’s success is closely tied to the Birmingham metropolitan area.

“Sixty-five thousand people per day drive to Birmingham for work, and 60,000 people per day drive into Shelby County to work here,” he said. “We have an exchanging economy, and you cannot separate Shelby County without understanding that you’re part of Birmingham. If we don’t accept that, we’re going to get left behind.”

Scroggins credited the county’s leadership team and staff for their dedication and effectiveness, describing his role as one that brings daily opportunities to help residents.

“It’s kind of like a ministry really,” he said. “I get paid every day to help somebody solve a problem, and I find great joy in that.”