Chambers County
Chambers County has seen significant growth in retail and commercial businesses this year, announcing Marshalls, Five Below, Petsense, Chick-fil-A, Scooter’s and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s to be opening new locations. Also, 4 Star Auto Auction opened in Chambers County earlier in 2024.
Chambers County has seen an increase in residential growth over the past five years. With the kickoff of the Holland Homes smart homes project, more developers have started planning and constructing new homes in the area. One of note is Quail Run. This is an existing subdivision in the eastern part of the county that is expanding, targeting a more affordable market. For the Valley area, a new senior housing development and new single-family homes are planned near interstate exit 77. Other developments are in the works that will help provide housing.
In 2025, Chambers County will officially launch a Leadership Chambers County program. Leadership Chambers County’s goal is to train, educate and inspire existing and future leaders in the community.
In the city of Valley, the former Fairfax Mill site will be repurposed for public use, officials say. The city has been holding public meetings for input. An idea that has gained some traction is developing it into a public park with green space. A landscape architect is developing a conceptual plan.
The city of Valley and Chambers County Development Authority announced the expansion of The Village Square Shopping Center on Highway 29. The shopping center will include three new businesses, Marshalls, Five Below and Petsense. There are still 4,500 square feet available for businesses. Also, the city announced the opening of an Express Oil Change in an out parcel of the shopping center, and a partnership will bring a Chick-fil-A to the city.
The city of LaFayette, the county seat, has a successful Main Street Alabama program that has received grant funding for several projects and help for merchants, says DeAnna Hand, director. Four new businesses have opened on the downtown square, and the organization won a Main Street Alabama award for its shop local campaign, she says. The city also has a new entrance sign.
LaFayette now has an OnMed telehealth station in LaFayette, one of the first OnMed stations in rural Alabama. It is currently the most frequently visited OnMed station in the country. The station was a collaboration among the city of LaFayette, Auburn University, Chambers County Development Authority, Alabama Extension, Chambers County, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alfa Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Right now, residents can utilize the OnMed station for free.
The city of Lanett is moving forward with developing a city park near the Chattahoochee River. The Lanett City Council hired Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood to develop a conceptual plan. The city also has made many improvements to its airport, including a new terminal, a new box hangar and a longer runway. More improvements will include an apron expansion, an automated weather observing station and a Precision Approach Path Indicator System.
The city also received a grant to upgrade its gas system to replace its iron pipes, says Deborah Gilbert, city clerk.
Chambers County schools recently unveiled renderings of the new consolidated high school that will combine Valley High and LaFayette High into a new Chambers County High School. The new school, to be located in Valley, is scheduled to open in fall 2026.
The county school system’s Inspire Academy (formerly Chambers County Career Technical Center) offers several career technical programs.
Lanett City Schools is undergoing two renovation projects — a renovation at the high school auditorium and a field design/turf project at the Morgan-Washburn Stadium. The system also has new HVAC systems, new doors and windows and new roofing. The high school also added a health science career pathway.
Tallapoosa County
Russell Lands’ lakefront neighborhoods and amenities already provide much of Tallapoosa County’s total ad valorem tax yearly, and the newest lakefront master-planned community, The Heritage, is already offering Phase 4 lots for sale. “Our sales pace has been rapid, but also our amenities help with sales,” says Steve Arnberg, vice president of Real Estate Sales for Russell Lands on Lake Martin.
Those amenities include the Wicker Point Golf Club, a Coore & Crenshaw-designed course that opened in 2023, and The Benjamin Lake Club for residents, set to open in June 2025. It will feature recreational opportunities, owners’ bar, fitness room, locker rooms, two resort pools, snack bar, trails, pickleball, tennis and a community dock system.
In Alexander City, Mayor Woody Baird highlights the completely redone Imagination Station at the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex. The old wooden equipment was torn down and new equipment installed, along with turf padding and much more, he says. The city raised $400,000 from individuals, companies, city and county government and more to make it happen.
The city also is working on the old Avondale Mills location to build another new playground, he says. The city is working on a new shopping center that will include Publix, Marshalls, Five Below and more.
The city also has two hotels in progress, a Holiday Inn and a LaQuinta, and is looking to add more, he says. The city took two older buildings down and is working on plans to revitalize the area.
The city of Dadeville, the county seat, is working on getting a motel developed on six acres, says Mayor Jimmy “Frank” Goodman. The city is working on fixing the access road to the property.
Within walking distance of downtown, Keebler Park is undergoing improvements that include sitting areas, exercise equipment, walking trails, bike racks, playground equipment and more picnic tables, he says.
Two new restaurants also have located downtown, he says.
Schools are important in Tallapoosa County.
The Tallapoosa County School System has its own career technical center and offers several programs to help its students succeed, says Andy Chamness, principal and director of the center. The school system partners with higher education for training and other opportunities for students.
The system offers the Educators in Training program, an emergency and fire management program in partnership with the Alabama Fire College, law enforcement, health sciences, welding, business marketing, business education, computer science, heavy equipment, fiber optic training and more. Many programs offer certifications and dual enrollment options.
The system has a mobile STEM lab, an RV rigged with welding simulators, headsets, 3D printers, career exploration program and more. Each school has access to it for nine weeks, he says.
The system has finished a new Reeltown Elementary School to handle growth in that area.
The Alexander City Schools is building a new $100 million Benjamin Russell High School with a competition track, band practice field and football/soccer practice fields. The school is slated to open in January 2026 with a multi-story academic wing, auditorium, band hall, gym, weight room, culinary and other vocational spaces. The new high school is located adjacent to the Charles E. Bailey Sportplex, home to the current softball, baseball and football stadium.
The career tech program at Alexander City schools is very active, with all of its career tech programs under one roof at the current high school, says Josh Williams, career technical director. Programs include health sciences, hospitality/tourism, industrial/agricultural, educational training, business marketing, computer science and more. About 720 students are in career technical programs in the system. The system also has a popular ROTC program and cooperative education program.
The new high school will have an entire wing devoted to career technical programs, Williams says. That includes a shop facility, a full culinary kitchen, manufacturing lab areas and more. “This new space will help us expand career technical programs even further,” he says.
This article appears in the December 2024 issue of Business Alabama.
