Autauga and Elmore Counties Pursue Community Development Projects, Seek Grants

Leaders in Autauga and Elmore counties are moving on a mix of infrastructure, education and recreation projects aimed at improving daily life and opening the door to more private investment.

Autauga County has planned a $4 million sewer infrastructure project at Highway 31 near Interstate 65 exit 186 that county officials say will spur development in a fast-growing corridor. Jay Thompson, chairman of the Autauga County Commission, said the project “will result in more economic and community development in one of the fastest-growing areas of the county.” Thompson also noted the county “owns two of the larger tracts of undeveloped land in the state” near that exit, positioning local government to shape future commercial or residential growth.

At the municipal level, Prattville won a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to improve sewer service and resurface multiple streets in the College Heights neighborhood. Wetumpka secured $500,000 to replace or rehabilitate sewer lines and manholes in the Mill Village area, including work on North Alabama Street, North Broad Street, Northwest Main Street, North Street and Cross Street. Those awards are part of a statewide allocation of roughly $17 million in CDBG funds distributed to 44 communities, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding. Gov. Kay Ivey framed the program’s purpose: “Community Development Block Grants make a difference in Alabama communities by helping towns, cities and counties address some of their most urgent needs without stressing their regular budgets,” she said. “I am pleased to award these funds for projects that will make a positive impact in communities across our great state.”

Education and public-safety investments are also on local agendas. Autauga County Schools adopted the strategic plan “Advancing Autauga County” for 2023–2028 after a year-long process with community input; the plan addresses academic advancement, a safe and healthy learning environment, quality personnel, fiscal responsibility and stakeholder relations. The school board appointed Lyman Woodfin as superintendent; Woodfin “is a 17-year veteran of the school system and most recently served as principal of Marbury High School.” Marbury High School completed an agribusiness expansion and added nine classrooms, and several schools will receive new defibrillators and trauma kits through a partnership with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office. Five schools in the district received Purple Star School recognition for commitment to military-connected students. Prattville is also investing in parks: Newton Park now features five new pickleball courts and five new tennis courts, and North Highland Park is being outfitted with new playground equipment. Mayor Bill Gillespie said, “The city already has a lot of fields for different sports and is constantly working on more.”

Elmore County’s economic development arm, the Elmore County Economic Development Authority, emphasizes growth that preserves quality of life. The agency states, “The purpose of the Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) is to improve economic growth in Elmore County by encouraging new and expanded business, industry, commerce, quality residential development and tourism. All activities should emphasize maintaining or improving the overall quality of life in the county.” ECEDA highlights local initiatives such as The Pratt and 17 Springs and maintains an office at 118 E. Bridge Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092; the authority can be reached at (334) 514-5822 or eceda@elmoreeda.com.

For residents, the combined investments mean targeted repairs to aging sewer and water infrastructure, smoother and safer streets, more recreational amenities and school improvements that support workforce readiness. The $4 million sewer project and county-owned development tracts could reshape growth patterns near I-65 exit 186, while CDBG-funded sewer work in Prattville and Wetumpka will address long-standing service gaps without drawing on city operating budgets. Next steps include timelines and contractor selections for the Autauga sewer project and confirmation of completion dates for school and park projects; county and city officials are expected to provide those details as contracts are awarded and work gets underway.