Pike County
Troy Mayor Jason Reeves summarizes his city’s success in a paragraph: “We have great people, a good workforce, excellent schools and thriving communities. We also have a city council that aggressively pursues businesses. Troy is a great place to live, work and play.”
The Academy Street Career Innovation Academy is an example. A planned remodel of the Academy Street School into the new Career Innovation Academy is expected to cost approximately
$15 million, according to local news sources.
Partnering with the local school systems and supported by a $10.5 million state grant, Troy’s new education facility will provide programs critical for workforce development. A secondary state grant to support the remodel has been applied for.
“We believe this will be the finest career technical education center in the state,” the mayor says. Courses for high school students include lineman/electrical, nursing, public safety, engineering and mechatronics.
A trained workforce is vital to staff many of Troy’s businesses that are expanding.
In May 2026, Lockheed Martin broke ground on a new Munitions Production Center. Building 47 will add 87,000 square feet of production space, supporting Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors and future work with Next Generation Interceptor. The expansion will nearly double the facility’s current production space.
Also on target, Kimber, one of the largest privately held firearms companies in the country, will soon complete moving its entire operations to Troy.
But no discussion of the city of Troy is complete without discussing Troy University. “As the university has grown, so has the city,” Reeves notes, referring to the university as both a higher-learning institution and city icon.
Reeves adds, “There is a lot of buzz about our baseball program making the College World Series (CWS). Troy’s CWS run was exciting and, for us to be featured nationally, showed a side of our community and the university that we are proud of.”
Troy is in the process of working with a $2 million ATRIP grant to redo a major intersection of Highway 231 and the main access route to the university.
“We are excited about that project getting started,” Reeves says. “It will alleviate a serious traffic situation that we have.”
Other community projects in progress include a $15 million expansion of the Troy Parks and Recreation Department. Community baseball fields and additions to Troy’s sportsplex facility, with pickleball courts and other recreation facilities, are underway.
Brundidge
Southern Classic Food Group LLC plans to invest an additional $14.2 million in its Pike County facility, a project expected to create 82 jobs over the next two years. The Brundidge plant produces sauces, dressings and other food products for both branded and private‑label customers, and rising demand across key product lines prompted the expansion.
Barbour County
Eufaula continues to attract visitors from across the Southeast through a combination of outdoor recreation, historic preservation and strategic community investment.
Known nationally as the “Big Bass Capital of the World,” Eufaula’s recreational fishing industry remains one of the county’s strongest tourism drivers, drawing thousands of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts each year.
Lake Eufaula, one of the Southeast’s largest reservoirs, supports a thriving outdoor recreation economy that includes boating, kayaking, birdwatching, golf and competitive fishing tournaments.
“Fishing is a major driver in our town,” says Eufaula Mayor Jack Tibbs. “Tournament and recreational anglers spend a day, a week or longer. They stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, buy gas and tackle. They are among the best tourists that we could have.”
The area’s recreational offerings continue to expand. New pickleball facilities have opened both at the Eufaula Community Center and along South Eufaula Avenue, reflecting one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports. Additional amenities such as e-bike rentals, kayaking, disc golf, swimming, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer and youth sports further strengthen the county’s appeal to both residents and visitors. The Eufaula Community Center recently completed a $4.3 million renovation, creating upgraded facilities for swimming, recreation and community events.
With its picturesque streets, historic downtown and architectural treasures, Eufaula also offers visitors a chance to stroll back in time. More than 700 structures are listed on the National Register of Historic and Architecturally Significant Places, making the city one of the South’s most celebrated collections of historic homes and commercial buildings.
To support increasing visitor demand, a major hospitality investment is underway in the heart of downtown. The former Bluff City Inn is undergoing a significant renovation and transformation into The Former House, a Marriott Boutique Hotel. The project is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.
It is anticipated to become a cornerstone of downtown revitalization while providing upscale accommodations for tourists, business travelers and event attendees. Mayor Tibbs predicts that the Marriott property, with 85 rooms, a high-end bar and adjacent coffee shop, “will be an anchor project for our downtown.”
The hotel project represents a significant step forward for Eufaula’s hospitality sector and demonstrates continued private-sector confidence in the city’s tourism-driven economy.
In 2025, Eufaula also strengthened its position as a traveler-friendly destination with the opening of a new Tesla Supercharger station in the downtown district. Located on West Broad Street, the facility features 16 charging stalls, including pull-through spaces designed to accommodate larger vehicles and trailers.
Economically, development momentum extends beyond Eufaula with expansion of All In Credit Union operations into Clayton and Louisville; continuing renovations at Lakepoint Resort State Park; opening of the LaMarr Civic Center; and growth of private-event venues such as Hawkins Ridge in Baker Hill and Uptown Event Center.
The Eufaula school system has completed several projects, including a new gym and classroom renovation at Eufaula Primary School, new classroom furniture in all the Eufaula schools and improvements at Tiger Stadium.
Clio
To the north, the town of Clio is home to Blue Springs State Park, a popular destination known for its crystal-clear freshwater spring, which maintains a refreshing and consistent temperature throughout the year. The park’s swimming area and natural surroundings make it a favorite retreat during Alabama’s warmer months.
Clayton
The county seat of Clayton offers its own fascinating attractions. Among them is the Octagon House, an architectural rarity built in 1861 and one of only a few surviving antebellum octagonal homes in the U.S. Just a short walk away, visitors can find one of the state’s most unusual historical curiosities — the Whiskey Bottle Tombstone in Clayton Cemetery. Local legend holds that the distinctive monument, erected in memory of William Mullen, was designed by his wife in the shape of a whiskey bottle as a lasting reminder of the vice that contributed to his death.
Bullock County
Bullock County’s Union Springs is home to the Red Door Theatre, offering theatrical productions to cultivate artistic excellence, impact the community and economy, and educate its audience.
Union Springs also is known worldwide for its bird dog competitions that include the National Open Shooting Dog Championship and the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship.
“Each is a boost to our economy,” notes Heather Klinck, president of the Tourism Council of Bullock County. “In addition to the dog owners, handlers, helpers and those coming to watch, we have anywhere from 42 to 74 dog entries. Both trainer and dog need supplies, which are purchased in Bullock County.”
This article appears in the September 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
