BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
This Week, the Elmore County Commission and the City of Millbrook passed separate resolutions that will allow the agencies to enter together into a contract to purchase 60 acres of land, including two tracts, part of which is along the Hwy. 14 corridor.
Travelers along Hwy. 14 are familiar with part of the property, which is currently the home of Stephens Auto Yard and Equipment. This part of the planned purchase will encompass 6.49 acres. The second property is 54 acres at Old Prattville Road and Hwy. 14.
As part of the proposed agreement, the landowners of the Auto Yard will be given time to remove the vehicles and other equipment from the property.
In a joint press release from the Commission and City, it says the purchase “will serve as building blocks to stimulate economic development opportunities and improve the quality of life to many throughout Elmore County.”
The proposed investment by the two local governments comes after over eighteen months of study and review in partnership with the Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA), Greater Montgomery YMCA and the Elmore County Board of Education. The study focused on the community and regional needs for quality of life improvements and produced a master plan concept. A press conference is being planned for mid-July to provide more details once the land acquisitions are finalized.
“This is really a great opportunity for development, and we are very excited about this,” Mayor Kelley said.
Working with two local landowners, the Stephens and Laney families, the City/ County investment in the properties will set the stage for increased quality of life opportunities while creating multiple economic development opportunities.
“We appreciate the willingness of the Laney and Stephens families to work with both local government bodies to set the stage for great investment opportunities for our community and county,” Mayor Kelley said.
County Commissioner Bart Mercer for District 4 echoed those thoughts. “After showing the Laneys and Stephens the overall vision for their properties, their willingness to work with the city and county has been tremendous. They see the what potential improvements along the Alabama 14 corridor could generate for our community.”
The Elmore County Commission passed their resolution during their regular Monday night meeting this week. Millbrook passed its resolution Tuesday night during its regular meeting.
“I am very thankful for the Elmore County Commission,” Mayor Kelley said. “We have a fantastic relationship. This will allow us to take economic development to the next level. It has been a pleasure working with all of these agencies. This will be a tremendous benefit to Millbrook, but also the county. It has been a long time in the making, a lot of planning, and input.”
Cary Cox is the Director of the Elmore County Economic Development Authority, and was present Tuesday at the Millbrook City Council meeting to show his support.
“This project is really going to open up that corridor for future development,” Cox said.
