Located in the center of the state, Chilton County is best known for its peach production, as evidenced by its landmark giant peach water tower and an annual Peach Jam festival that brings tens of thousands of visitors to the area each June to celebrate the local peach industry.
Travelers driving between Birmingham and Montgomery are likely familiar with “Big Peach,” the 500,000-gallon water tower located just off I-65, but when Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims looks at the county’s interstate exits, he sees opportunity for growth. “We’ve got five exits on this interstate that we haven’t in the past been able to develop. There’s a goldmine out there, and we’re trying to take advantage of it.”
Since Mims took office as mayor of the county seat in 2020, a Starbucks and a Milo’s Hamburgers have opened at Exit 205, and construction is starting soon on a Hampton Inn by Hilton. Working closely with county officials, Mims is optimistic about developing the other Clanton interstate exits as well. “It’s been slow progress, but we’re getting there. Persistence is paying off.”
Chilton County’s major industries are agriculture, automotive and wood product manufacturing. Its prime central location in the state, roughly halfway between Montgomery and Birmingham, means that it falls within the labor shed of many of the state’s other leading industries, including aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
The Chilton County School System has a strong focus on creating career pathways for its students to enter local industries. Continuing education opportunities are available through LeCroy Career Technical Center and the Chilton-Clanton Campus of Jefferson State Community College.
As the county continues its push to bring new businesses to the area, its towns have been busy with several revitalization projects and infrastructure upgrades.
The Chilton County Commission approved plans for a new courthouse that will be built on Highway 145 just south of the Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton campus and will house all county offices. When the old courthouse is demolished, plans are in place to construct a new police station on the site across the street from Clanton’s city hall.
Historic Main Street in downtown Jemison underwent extensive upgrades made possible by funds provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program. The revitalization project included replacing old sidewalks with ones that are ADA compliant, landscaping and installing new light fixtures.
Outdoor recreation is a big draw for Chilton County residents and visitors. Picturesque Lake Mitchell is ideal for fishing, boating, water skiing and kayaking. In recent years, Minooka Park has renovated and expanded its camping facilities. And this past year, Higgins Ferry Park on Lake Mitchell made improvements, including adding a new lakeside pavilion with a nearby designated swimming area.
Life in Chilton County also centers on agritourism, and the county welcomes visitors from around the state and beyond for major annual events like the Peach Jam festival in Clanton and the Strawberry Festival in Thorsby. Downtown Maplesville welcomed thousands of visitors in December for its sixth annual Old Fashioned Christmas event. And throughout the year, Chilton County lures travelers along I-65 with popular roadside establishments like Peach Park, Heaton Pecan Farm, Durbin Farms Market and Penton Farms.
“We’re moving and shaking, like they say,” says Mims. “You’ve got to get everyone’s attention, and I think we’re getting their attention.”
Katherine MacGilvray is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
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This story appears in the August 2024 issue of Business Alabama.
