PIKE COUNTY
The Pike County Judicial Detention Complex in Troy opened last August, marking the completion of a $36 million project that broke ground in May 2021. The new facility is capable of housing up to 175 inmates. New features include a control center that monitors everything from water to electricity in each cell and a full-body Intercept scanner that detects metallic and nonmetallic threats like weapons, drugs and other contraband. A catwalk connects the jail to the main building where four courtrooms, offices for judges and their staff and holding cells are located. The complex also houses offices for the county’s circuit clerks, district attorney, juvenile office and the sheriff.
Located behind the jail is a new County Emergency Operations building that serves as a centralized countywide 911 call facility for the Troy police and fire departments, the Brundidge police department, the Pike County sheriff’s office, rescue squads and state troopers. It also has storage facilities, a firing range, impound lot, a gym for sheriff’s deputies, an armory and a records building.
Troy University, the county’s largest employer, plays a major role in drawing new residents and businesses to the area.
Residential sales in Pike County have increased 64.2% in the last decade. The city of Troy issued 51 new residential housing permits in 2023. The Summit at Oak Park has completed four phases and constructed more than 70 homes, and the City of Troy Planning Commission approved a fifth phase that will have 39 lots. Stone Martin Builders has completed most of the build-out for the first phase of the Walter’s Branch subdivision; it is the homebuilder’s first community in Troy. Phase two of the project has 33 lots. Meanwhile, Walter’s Branch West has begun building houses as part of its second phase, which has 48 lots.
Pike County and Troy city officials broke ground last fall on a four-story, 91-room Home2 Suites by Hilton, an extended-stay hotel that will be located on U.S. Highway 231. Pike County also is welcoming new dining and entertainment options; last year Troy’s downtown square welcomed a Moe’s Original BBQ and a new Cajun Creole bistro, Bayou la Roux. The university town also became home to Baumhower’s Victory Grille’s tenth Alabama location. A GoodTimes bowling alley and the Conecuh Ridge Distillery experience also are on the horizon.
In January, Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network opened its newest satellite clinic, Troy Pediatric Clinic & Collegiate Health, which provides a full range of medical care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults in Troy and Pike County.
Pike County Schools serve 2,200 students in Banks, Brundidge and Goshen and offer a variety of college prep and hands-on learning opportunities. The system has 17 dual enrollment programs leading to associate degrees that are available to high school students at no cost.
The school district is committed to STEM education and tech for its K-12 students. The system was the first in Alabama to earn Cognia’s district-wide STEM accreditation. Every school has a fully functional STEM lab, laptops are used at all grade levels and STEM curriculum is incorporated into classes.
The district also is expanding its fine arts programs following the success of a partnership between Patti Rutland Jazz and Pike County Elementary through which students could participate in weekly dance lessons.
BARBOUR COUNTY
The Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its centennial this year, and communities in the county have a lot of new development to celebrate as well.
While Clayton is the county seat, Eufaula is the largest city in Barbour County and is a popular tourist destination for outdoor activities, especially its recreational and commercial fishing industry, which brings thousands of visitors to the county each year.
Eufaula’s historic downtown district, home to more than 700 structures listed in the National Register of Historically and Architecturally Significant Places, also brings tourists in droves. To better accommodate visitors and further enhance the area’s charm, the former Bluff City Inn is being converted to a boutique hotel by Marriott. And in May, the Lakepoint State Park Resort Lodge and Convention Center began renovations on 44 of its rooms.
For permanent residents, leases started last fall for a new housing development near Lake Eufaula. The Villages at Reeves Farm offers a variety of living options from townhomes and cottages to ranch and two-story detached homes. Amenities include a community clubhouse, pool and walking trails.
The Eufaula Community Center will soon wrap up a $4.3Â million renovation. New pickleball courts are open on South Eufaula Avenue, and there are plans to install more at the Eufaula Community Center complex.
Last year, Old Creek Town Park welcomed a new disc golf course. And a Starbucks opened last year.
Last summer the city signed an agreement with Tesla to build 16 Supercharger stalls in a municipal parking lot near downtown. The site will feature three prefabricated Supercharger units with four stalls each and four pull-through stalls.
In October 2023, a new health clinic opened in downtown Clio. Services include health exams, full laboratory testing and diabetic services. This year, All In Credit Union opened a branch in Clio.
The Barbour County School System provides services for students who live outside Eufaula’s city limits and consists of four schools. Elementary schools are located in Louisville and secondary schools are in Clayton. Sidewalks connecting the middle school and high school also were completed.
Eufaula City Schools have completed several projects in the past year. Eufaula Primary School has a new gym; the Eufaula City Auditorium underwent a complete renovation; Eufaula High School had new floors installed and its baseball and softball fields were renovated.
In March, Wallace Community College-Dothan announced it is partnering with four high schools, including Eufaula High School and Barbour County High School, to offer free career training programs through its Workforce Development department. Eufaula High School has participated in S4S training for skid steer operations and will be expanding its offerings to include fiber optic and bulldozer training. Meanwhile, Barbour County High School will offer fiber optic and skid steer training.
BULLOCK COUNTY
Thanks to the efforts of the City of Union Springs, Wayne Farms, the Bullock County Development Authority and the Bullock County Commission, Bullock County is set to have a new recreation center. The facility, located across from the Bullock County Department of Human Resources, will serve as a multipurpose building for the community. Local officials broke ground last March.
Last fall, Bullock County Hospital opened a Mobile Healthcare Unit that provides primary and preventative healthcare services, including outpatient labs, wellness checks, EKG and flu and Covid vaccines to rural areas of Bullock County.
Last summer, 26 miles of roadway in the county were resurfaced, and the Bullock County Commission authorized resurfacing of an additional 4.5 miles. The projects were funded in part by a $400,000 community development block grant. The county is also working to secure additional funding to improve bridges throughout the county.
The Red Door Theatre in Union Springs celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The theater operates under the direction of the Tourism Council of Bullock County and is known for performances that reflect the region’s history and culture.
This article appears in the September 2024 issue of Business Alabama.
