BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
When it comes to Economic Development Projects, city officials are often required to sign non-disclosure agreements. And, so it is for a something called “Project M” that the city of Millbrook is currently working on.
Last week the Council approved a budget increase of $20,000 for Project M. The money will be added for the Economic Development Department for the 2021 budget, according to Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley. This is a one-time increase specifically for the project.
The Council approved the increase, though little information is allowed to be shared due to the non-disclosure agreements that officials had to sign. “Basically, I am asking you to trust us,” Mayor Kelley said.
Tantalizing and intriguing, no doubt.
“Economic Development is blowing it out. If I could tell you everything that is going on right now, you would be surprised,” Mayor Kelly said. “We even had some very good news this morning but I am not able to talk about anything yet. The city is on a tremendous path. The downtown part of the project – If you attended the event from Downtown Strategies you saw what the council will be facing. There are a lot of things, like new codes. We are going to do this project and do it right. We have spent some money on the downtown area, and we are able to spend some more money on it and get it ready to go.”
The Mayor said that as the council moves forward, there will be a lot of changes concerning the downtown area.
“Ann (Harper), myself and Michael Gay have signed non-disclosure agreements. All I can say is trust us,” he said, adding to stay tuned to local media as more information will be announced soon.
He said the 17 Springs project is generating tremendous interest. “It is mind boggling,” Kelley said. “Sometimes you have to sit back and get your ducks in a row. The presentation by Downtown Strategies concerned some ordinances and zoning changes we may have to do. I can tell you right now it is going to tick some folks off. But it is going to make a lot more people happy in the end. It is a tough job. I have already started with some of the landowners, and we have to get (downtown) cleaned up. It is one of those things that if we all take pride in our place, then hopefully the person next to you will take pride in theirs.”
City Council President followed up on the Mayor’s statements, saying, “There is so much going on right now behind the scenes. It is an exciting time for our city. We have a lot going on. We have projects…a lot of people coming in.”
Councilwoman Jacquelyn Thomas is a newcomer on the Council since the last election, and said she said it has been very eye-opening for her to learn what is really happening within the city.
“It is very exciting to me as a newcomer being a part of some things that were already put into place, and some things like 17 Springs. I think a lot of great things are happening in Millbrook. I am excited about the direction we are taking and excited to be a part of it.”
