Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores is more than a great vacation destination. Many call it home. In 2016, Gulf Shore’s population was 11,000. Today it is 18,000.
Current city projects include a pedestrian improvement and safety upgrade on West Beach Boulevard and West 11th Street. The project will build a 10‑foot concrete multiuse path, separated from the roadway, for improved safety and accessibility for pedestrians, runners and cyclists.
In addition, East Second Street has been renovated, repaved and reopened to the site of the future Waterway Village Pedestrian Plazas at East 24th Avenue.
The Waterway Village District’s restaurants and retailers are fully accessible, with recent improvements that include new on‑street parking, fresh sidewalks and clearer access routes.
Also on tap, Gulf Shores is constructing the Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge to improve walkability and create a scenic, dedicated crossing of the Intracoastal Waterway. The span will link the north and south sides of the Waterway Village District, enhance neighborhood access, encourage outdoor activity and serve as a community landmark.
Orange Beach
With more than 6.5 million people visiting Alabama’s beaches each year, the city of Orange Beach continues to provide a clean and safe environment for visitors and residents. Orange Beach has an eye toward balancing the quality of life of locals while offering true Southern hospitality to tourists.
“The city continues to proactively manage growth while delivering high-quality services to residents and visitors,” said City Administrator Ford Handley.
With quality-of-life improvements, the past few years have seen the continued growth of Orange Beach City Schools with the opening of the $46 million athletic complex, with its signature football stadium. Academically, the school system recently received the second-highest report card score among all 149 traditional and charter school systems in Alabama.
Fairhope
Noted by Southern Living as a premier place to live or visit, Fairhope continues to earn accolades. Two renovation projects were among the most significant in recent years.
In 2025, a roughly $10 million renovation was completed on Fairhope’s 10-acre iconic South Beach Park, where the Municipal Pier is located. User-friendly improvements enhanced accessibility and assure the park’s long-term residency and sustainability.
In addition, Fairhope’s 108-acre Flying Creek Nature Preserve is being developed in phases. Phase 1 covered multi-use nature trails, a connection to the Eastern Shore Trail, outdoor classrooms, an information kiosk, bicycle repair station, restroom pavilion, eco-friendly areas and more.
Phase two received grant funding of $1.3 million for kayak/canoe launches, creek overlooks, outdoor classrooms and interpretive educational signage.
Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan says, “People are drawn to the city’s natural beauty, the trees and beautiful flowers we plant downtown. In addition to beauty and charm, downtown Fairhope is known for its walkability. We build on that.”
She adds, “People are also drawn to our easily accessible downtown made of small boutiques, shops and restaurants that are locally owned.”
Fairhope’s H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport advances, too. “We continue to see increased flights in our airport,” Sullivan says, adding, “We will see an increase in commercial growth, but I think we have a good balance of business and community.”
Foley
In 2024, Foley was the fastest growing city in Alabama, according to Mayor Ralph Hellmich. He says, “In five-and-a-half years we have grown from 20,000 to 31,000 people.”
He also acknowledges that with great growth come great responsibilities. “There is long-range planning in our strategic and comprehensive plans,” he says. “In planning for progress we must make sure it is managed effectively and carefully. We want growth, but really good growth.”
Such growth includes Kolter Homes, which in January 2026 broke ground for a 1,300-unit housing development. The project is expected to open in 2027.
The city also is a champion of retail. With more than 100 stores, Tanger Outlets continues to be a South Baldwin shopping draw.
“We also continue to get restaurants, shops and other types of business,” the mayor says.
Foley’s other expansions include parks and playtime.
The city is known throughout the region for sports tourism. Starting in 2017, Foley invested $30 million in sports facilities and fields. Hellmich says, “On any given month, 10,000 to 30,000 participants visit us for sports including soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, pickleball, basketball. The program has been wildly successful.”
Also in Foley, OWA, the 520-acre water park, theme park and entertainment venue developed by the Poarch Creek Indians, continues to expand. New attractions include Aura Adventures — an innovative way to enjoy the water day or night. Paddle by day or glow by night with clear LED kayaking and pedal boats.
Also new at OWA is Neon Rebellion – a fully immersive glow-in-the dark laser tag arena.
Daphne
Daphne’s rapid rise is summed up by Mayor Robin LeJeune in three words: “Quality of life. People have heard that Daphne is a great place to live, raise a family and retire,” the mayor says.
The city made sustained investments to preserve and enhance that quality of life. Those efforts include the new Bayfront Park Amphitheater, a $16 million venue now under construction and financed with city funds plus a $7.2 million GOMESA grant.
Significant streetscapes include the Main Street project in historic Olde Towne Daphne and other areas. The city will add on-street-parking, sidewalks, new landscaping and lighting.
These steps are designed to boost accessibility to local shops and restaurants while creating a more walkable, welcoming downtown for residents and visitors. Funding for such projects include city funds and a $5 million FEMA Resiliency Grant.
Daphne residents and visitors also enjoy the Eastern Shore Trail. The 22-mile multiuse pathway along Mobile Bay links communities with Daphne as a key access point. Beginning in north Daphne at I-10, the trail follows sidewalks and paved paths along U.S. 98 and Scenic 98, passing Daphne’s waterfront and Olde Towne before continuing through Montrose, Fairhope, Point Clear and ending at Weeks Bay.
It includes waterfront parks, shaded boardwalks and bay vistas, offering walking, running and biking opportunities to experience coastal nature.
Other sports and recreation facilities are in the planning stages, LeJeune says. “We are also looking in the next couple of years to having an indoor recreation center for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other type of sports.”
Bay Minette
The county seat and “Gateway to the Gulf,” Bay Minette is in North Baldwin County with easy access to entertainment, outdoor recreation and employment opportunities. It is strategically located near major cities like Mobile (45 miles), Pensacola (45 miles), Gulf Shores (45 miles) and Biloxi (75 miles).
Kristina Pittman, executive director of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, says about Bay Minette, “Our location provides access to the economic, social and cultural amenities of nearby cities while preserving the charm and relaxed pace of a small Southern community.”
Examples of Bay Minette’s charm can be found in its 24 public parks. Recreation centers range from outdoor sports to splash pads.
Bay Minette’s location on the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, a national natural landmark, offers abundant outdoor activities, including fishing. The town also is close to Mobile Bay and the Gulf, attracting tourists with its historical sites, community events and natural beauty.
The city is experiencing significant industrial growth, including one of the largest manufacturing sites in Alabama, Novelis.
A world leader in aluminum production and solutions, Novelis is set to commission its factory — a $5 billion investment — in the second half of 2026.
“With this growth (Novelis and other businesses) comes expansion,” Pittman says. “The need to support a growing workforce has accelerated residential development, new subdivisions and increased demand for retail, dining and service-based businesses. We are already seeing this momentum take shape with the opening of Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, Big Mike’s Steakhouse and new shopping centers, and a variety of additional businesses investing in North Baldwin’s future.”
She continues, “This continued growth reflects not only industrial strength but also the community’s readiness to embrace opportunity, infrastructure development and a vibrant quality of life for current and future residents alike.”
This article appears in the May 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
