Mobile County
In FY 2024, as part of Team Mobile, the Mobile County Commission helped bring in about $130 million in new capital investments that are expected to yield more than 350 jobs over 10 years.
Commission projects include:
- The former Davis Avenue branch of Mobile Public Library opened after extensive renovation and expansion.
- Africatown Hall & Food Bank is the new home of the Africatown Redevelopment Corp. and a community food pantry.
- The Civil Rights & Cultural Heritage District Master Plan was developed with community input. The plan centers on the Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue corridor.
- Clotilda: The Exhibition at Africatown Heritage House, which opened in 2023, was named to USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards Best New Museums and was a key factor in Condé Nast Traveler’s naming Mobile to the Top 24 places to go in North America and the Caribbean in 2024.
- Mobile County Sportsplex is growing. The 40,000-square-foot Aquatic Center’s Phase I is under construction. In addition, initial plans for a 90-acre park, called Jubilee Park, will include a 20-acre waterpark and zip line, multi-use sports facilities, hotel, shops, restaurants, festival grounds and more.
- West Mobile County Park is being renovated and new construction is planned for an additional field, dog park, playground, splashpad and more.
- The former Linksman golf course was renamed Cypress Creek Golf Course at Rivière du Chien Park. Construction is underway on the park, course, driving range and local youth teams’ practice area.
Mobile
In 2023, Mayor Sandy Stimpson worked with the Mobile City Council and residents in West Mobile on an annexation plan that successfully increased Mobile’s population to more than 206,000 people, making it the second-largest city in Alabama. This critical effort prevented the city from becoming landlocked by surrounding communities, preventing future growth. The annexation also has made Mobile eligible for larger federal grants that are distributed based on an area’s population.
Also recently, after years of discussing how to address the functionally obsolete Mobile Civic Center, the city is poised to start construction on a new state-of-the-art arena on the property. The goal is to attract world-class entertainment and sporting events to the Port City, while also providing a new and improved facility for Mardi Gras balls and other traditional local events. The current facility, 60 years old, is being demolished.
The city purchased one of the last undeveloped properties along the western shores of Mobile Bay. The city of Mobile now owns 300 acres to the east of the Brookley Aeroplex. This property will help support economic development, preserve and protect critical wetlands, and create a park with access to the waterfront.
The “Brookley by the Bay” park project is nearly 100% designed, and the master plan for the park, completed in late 2023, was driven by input from hundreds of community members.
In 2024, the city of Mobile continued to invest tens of millions of dollars into local infrastructure, including upgrades to roads, bridges, sidewalks and more. This includes 95 miles of road resurfacing, 13.7 miles of new or repaired sidewalks and 1,037 new ADA ramps.
Parks and Recreation maintained 2,126 acres of land, including 95 athletic fields and 31,500 plant beds. Hundreds of its events and programs served thousands of citizens of all ages.
Also in 2024, the Ketchum Fountain, focal point of Bienville Square in the heart of downtown, was reinstalled in the park. The fountain had been in the park since 1890 but had been removed for refurbishing.
Chickasaw
“Chickasaw is making significant strides in enhancing its public spaces, senior services and critical infrastructure,” says the city’s mayor, Barry Broadhead. “With a focus on community improvement, the city has launched a series of projects to benefit residents of all ages. From recreational upgrades to senior transportation enhancements and vital infrastructure investments, Chickasaw is demonstrating a strong commitment to progress.”
During 2024 the city saw improvements to Brooks Park with a new kayak launch, picnic area enhancements and boat launch park improvements.
The city also is reporting extensive renovations to City Hall and the Civic Center. Upgrades will improve functionality, efficiency and aesthetics.
Chickasaw continues to embrace the growing demand for recreational activities by upgrading its parks and sports facilities. Existing tennis courts have been converted to pickleball use.
In addition to recreational and facility improvements, Chickasaw is making significant investments in its infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and reliability.
Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier notes, “Our town has made considerable improvements throughout this barrier island community over the past couple of years, many of which contribute greatly to the overall quality of life. In addition, a host of projects that support environmental stewardship while improving access to our bountiful natural resources have been completed.”
Dauphin Island projects include a massive shoreline restoration project on the island’s east end, a marsh restoration project along the island’s north side at Graveline Bay and construction of two living shorelines in Aloe Bay. It includes an eco-tourism area and kayak launch.
The town also recently completed a13,000-square-foot Community Center.
“Recognizing a healthy economy relies heavily on maintaining a healthy and vibrant environment,” says Collier. “Town leaders have invested heavily in the preservation of wetlands and other parcels that contribute to habitats critical to a variety of species that call Dauphin Island home.
“Finding the right balance between growth and environmental preservation has always been a challenge but these types of improvements seem to hit just the right mark.”
Semmes
Semmes, incorporated in 2011, is one of the youngest municipalities in Alabama.
“We are known for our plentiful nurseries, rich history, excellent community events and fast progression towards economic development, public safety and infrastructure,” says Semmes Mayor Brandon Van Hook. “Over the last few years, the city of Semmes has rebranded and tackled economic development head-on, making significant improvements.”
“The financial standing of Semmes is better than ever,” the mayor adds. “The city pursued a plan which led to the passing of a legislative annexation bill. This brought a total of 40 already established businesses into the city limits, raising revenue.”
New businesses include a Publix grocery story, a car wash, a Wawa gas station and convenience store and a new urgent care facility.
Recently built recreation sites include a dog park, pickleball facility, splash pad and completely revitalized community center.
“Public Safety has been completely revitalized,” Van Hook notes. “The city has built a fully operational police department and made major improvements to the fire department.”
An existing building was transformed into a new public safety complex consisting of a fire station and police precinct. In addition, a new fire station was built and two new fire trucks acquired.
Saraland
Calling itself “The Gateway to Progress” and with 16,500 residents, Saraland is Mobile County’s fastest-growing city. “A major catalyst of that growth,” according to Mayor Dr. Howard Rubenstein, “is the city’s school system.
“We are ranked among the best school systems in Alabama,” Rubenstein adds. “With a world class city school system, we have seen phenomenal growth with the construction of many new subdivisions as well as new commercial development.”
Other recent significant events in Saraland including dozens of new businesses. In March 2025 Rural King, a multi-faceted big-box store, opened in the former K-Mart Shopping Center Facility.
Other milestones include a new $72 million sportsplex project, now partially open. When completed, the complex will host venues for baseball, softball, football, soccer, tennis and pickleball, and an indoor recreational center with four basketball courts. Bike trails and walking paths also are slated for the facility. The complex will be opening in phases throughout 2025.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon continues to emphasize outdoor sports and activities with a new children’s outdoor play area and renovated public boat ramp.
On January 30, 2025, the town celebrated the reopening of the J.E. Turner Mount Vernon Public Boat Ramp. The $2 million renovation includes a new 170-foot floating access pier, expanded parking and a new weigh-in pavilion for fishing tournaments.
This article appears in the June 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
