Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Economic Development Authority, or ECEDA, hosted their Unity Breakfast Tuesday morning. The event was geared towards celebrating the growth, progression and development throughout Elmore County.
Many projects in recent months throughout Elmore County were not only highlighted by the two guest speakers, but also made possible by many of the elected officials and other partners within the room Tuesday morning.
Some of those projects include the 17 Springs Commercial Development, welcoming new restaurants and multiple Publix supermarket locations, as well as a slew of various outdoor races and competitions.
The event kicked off bright and early at 7 a.m., with Representative Troy Stubbs, and Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter as the two guest speakers.
Representative Stubbs stated that the Unity Breakfast is a wonderful opportunity for the stakeholders in the community to gather and reflect on all the wonderful things that have been accomplished in Elmore County.
Before introducing Ledbetter, Stubbs noted the five pillars of a great community, infrastructure, healthcare, education, public safety and economic development.
“Nick Saban will say, you don’t practice until you get it right. You practice until you can’t get it wrong. As we reflect on that, we think about the efforts of all of the people in this room and the opportunity that we have to move Elmore County forward. We work in a unified manner, as we see municipalities, school boards, county government, state government, all working collaboratively to bring Elmore County forward,” Stubbs said.
As Stubbs was introducing Ledbetter to the stage, Stubbs stated that the leadership of Ledbetter over the last two years has put the priorities into perspective for the state of Alabama. Putting economic development was one of the highest priorities, because it can truly change lives, Stubbs stated.
Ledbetter stated that he applauds Elmore County and its communities for having the courage to think outside the box, especially with 17 Springs.
“If your county commission, city council, your board of education and EDA’s have done the same thing that they’ve always done, you’d still be where you’re at 10 years from now. That’s not going to be the case here in Elmore County. You’re going to see growth that you never expected because of the steps these gentlemen and ladies are willing to take,” Ledbetter said.
Ledbetter went on to express the growth throughout the state of Alabama and proclaimed his excitement for the future and the growth to come. With that excitement, Ledbetter stated now that he has grandkids, it’s even more imperative and at the forefront of his mind to keep opportunities open throughout the state. With further opportunities and industries coming to a successfully growing state, more people are likely to stay, including the grandkids, Ledbetter noted.
With that growth, Ledbetter confirmed that Alabama is now ranked the number one state in the U.S. for the export of automobiles, and number five in the U.S. for producing and building ships.
“What matters is we continue to strive to make Alabama a better state. To work with each other and not against each other. I applaud Elmore County for what you’re doing. I think that you’re setting the gold standard for the rest of the state because of the work that you’re doing together, and I applaud you for that,” Ledbetter said.
In attendance were elected officials from Elmore County, Autauga County, multiple state representatives and senators, various first responders from several municipalities and members of the community.
The invocation was given by the honorable Patrick D. Pinkston, the circuit court judge for Elmore County.
