By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The city of Pelham has been selected to join the Innovate Alabama Network, a designation that connects the city with a statewide community of innovative cities, fostering collaboration, growth and new opportunities for the future.

“Being part of this network strengthens our commitment to forward-thinking solutions, economic development and creating a vibrant community,” read a statement from the city of Pelham’s Facebook page.

As part of the designation, Pelham received a Network Designation Grant from the Innovate Alabama Network. Gretchen DiFante, Pelham’s city manager, outlined what the selection means for the city.

“This Innovate Alabama Network designation means the city of Pelham has been recognized by Innovate Alabama as a municipality that supports innovation-related initiatives,” DiFante said.

Amy Sturdivant, the president and CEO of 58 INC, Shelby County’s economic development corporation, outlined how Pelham became involved with the initiative and the overall selection process.

“The city of Pelham is the sixth community in Shelby County to join the Innovate Alabama Network,” Sturdivant said. “With encouragement and guidance from our economic development team, Pelham applied to join the Innovate Alabama Network and was accepted.”

DiFante further outlined the specific benefits the designation brings to Pelham and its residents.

“Being a member of the Innovate Alabama Network brings the city of Pelham and its residents public recognition as an innovative community and provides the city with future opportunities to apply for project grants that support innovation-related activities,” DiFante said.

DiFante further explained that the recent infrastructure upgrades in the city made Pelham an ideal candidate for the designation.

“The city of Pelham has made significant progress in creating additional quality of life offerings through the arts and entertainment district for residents and visitors, located near one of the most valuable outdoor recreation assets in Alabama, Oak Mountain State Park,” DiFante said. “An Innovate Alabama Network designation publicly recognizes the city of Pelham as part of the statewide innovative community contributing to Alabama’s innovation economy. In addition to this recognition, an Innovate Alabama Network designation gives the city of Pelham future opportunities to apply for innovation-focused project grants.”

For more information on the city of Pelham, visit Pelhamalabama.gov.