WWW.CITYOFMILLBROOK.ORG THE CITY OF MILLBROOK A PERFECTLY BALANCED APPROACH
A PERFECTLY B APPROACH MILLBROOK, AL AT A GLANCE CITY OF MILLBROOK WHAT: R apidly growing bedroom community transforming into a regional economic center WHERE: Alabama WEBSITE: www.cityofmillbrook.org HOW A BEDROOM COMMUNITY NORTH OF ALABAMA’S CAPITAL IS CRAFTING ITS OWN IDENTITY THROUGH STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT WHILE REFUSING TO SURRENDER ITS SMALL-TOWN CHARM. 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
BALANCED Situated just 10 miles north of Montgomery, Millbrook has transformed from a quiet summer retreat for wealthy capital city residents into one of central Alabama’s fastest growing communities. With a population approaching 18,000, this bedroom community is simultaneously embracing expansion while fiercely protecting its small town identity. “We are definitely in a growth mode, both in population, 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
functionality, and economic expansion,” says Ann Harper, Economic Development Director for the City of Millbrook.“We’re making all sorts of improvements in infrastructure, amenities and overall quality of life. One of the things we are working on is balancing our growth with preserving our community character and what we refer to as our small-town charm.” The city’s strategy emphasizes family-oriented amenities, particularly in its municipal park system. The crown jewel among its six public parks is the Village Green, which serves as the community’s primary gathering spot for festivals and other events. In recent years, the city created a new position – Cultural Arts and Special Events Director – to cultivate programming that brings residents together in these spaces. “Millbrook is a bedroom community” notes Michael Gay, President of the City Council. “We strive very hard to maintain quality of life here. Montgomery is our closest major city, and we have many military people, civil service, and State of Alabama workers that make the short commute, which is less than 10 minutes. We try to keep a very good quality of life for our residents, taking pride in our parks and recreational opportunities.” CREATING A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN Unlike many historic Alabama communities that evolved around established town squares, Millbrook faces the unique challenge of designing its downtown core from the ground up. The city’s formation along the intersection of two state highways has shaped its development approach. “Downtown is the next focus area for the city,” explains Gay. “We have been working on planning and building a downtown. In the meantime, we have improved the Village Green Park, upgraded our customized playground, and built a new park called Minnie Massey Park. Our city hall is now a focal point across the street from the Village Green Park. Down the street is our economic development center, which at one time served as City Hall. We have repurposed the building and now it serves as our home base to promote business and community growth.” 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 MILLBROOK, AL
Millbrook’s downtown strategy focuses on creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that draws residents and visitors.This approach aligns with contemporary urban planning principles that prioritize walkability over vehicular access, encouraging community interaction and local economic activity. “We don’t have the traditional downtown that some older cities have,” Harper explains.“We took the heart of the city, which is what we’re calling our downtown, and we’re crafting it really from the ground up. We want to attract new business while maintaining this beautiful Village Green Park where the community gathers on a regular basis.” The downtown vision emphasizes creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs rather than national chains, which are directed toward the Highway 14 corridor. This dual-track development approach allows Millbrook to cultivate its unique local identity while still attracting larger commercial interests. “Our downtown efforts, will help create an environment easier for our entrepreneurs in the local community to come and open up businesses,” says Gay.“I’d love to see a bed and breakfast be part of that if they’re looking for some type of place for people to stay.” HIGHWAY 14 CORRIDOR While Millbrook’s downtown development focuses on local businesses and community character, the Highway 14 corridor serves as the city’s commercial backbone. This five-lane thoroughfare, with its high traffic counts and visibility, has become the strategic focus for attracting national retailers, restaurants, and hotels to bolster the city’s economic base. “The downtown reflects more of the local culture, the local brand, the mom-and-pop businesses,” Harper notes. “Highway 14, which is our main commercial corridor going through our city, is going to attract the national chains, the hotels, the people that require really large traffic counts and visibility. Not to say that we don’t have a good traffic count going through our downtown, it’s just not as high as it would be on Highway 14.” 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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LIGHTING THE WAY FORWARD: BOOSTR DIGITAL DISPLAYS’ BRIGHT FUTURE Boostr Digital Displays was founded in 2012 by Greg Crowe, a former high school basketball coach with a passion for sports, technology, and people. What began as a side venture quickly turned into a full-time mission to provide high-quality LED solutions with a level of personal service that was missing in the market. Based in Alabama, Boostr is proud of its roots—but their reach extends nationwide, serving schools, churches, and businesses across the country with custom digital display solutions. In 2024, Boostr opened a brand new, state-of-the-art facility to accommodate rapid growth and support the expanding needs of its clients. With over 30 employees—more than 80% of whom are under the age of 30—Boostr is committed to investing in the next generation. This young, driven team brings fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a strong work ethic, setting Boostr apart in a crowded marketplace. Boostr’s product lineup includes indoor video walls, outdoor scoreboards, scorers tables, and digital signage for churches and businesses. Over the years, Boostr has helped thousands of schools upgrade their athletic facilities with high-impact LED solutions.That deep commitment to schools and communities has fueled Boostr’s reputation as a trusted partner in sports and beyond. At the core of Boostr’s success is their client-first approach. Relationships don’t end after the sale—in fact, that’s just the beginning. Boostr offers industry-leading service and support, ensuring every customer feels valued and taken care of long after the install.This commitment to excellence and ongoing care builds lasting partnerships that span seasons, upgrades, and new projects. Boostr is also a mission-driven company, built on a foundation of giving back. Supporting schools isn’t just a business model—it’s a core value. Since its inception, Boostr has given back nearly $3.5 million to schools, helping fund athletic programs, facility upgrades, and student initiatives. This spirit of generosity reflects the heart behind the brand and fuels their passion to serve with purpose. While Alabama remains a cornerstone of their business, Boostr’s reach has steadily expanded across the Southeast and beyond. Word has spread about their reliability, quality, and peoplefirst mindset, opening doors with churches, schools, and businesses in communities of all sizes. As Boostr Digital Displays looks ahead, their mission remains clear: deliver top-quality products, invest in people, give generously, and serve with excellence. With a new facility, a passionate team, and a growing national presence, the future is bright—and Boostr is just getting started.
Millbrook, who oversees infrastructure development, emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of growth-related challenges. “We’ve got significant expansion plans for Highway 14 which is the gateway to Elmore County and directly into Millbrook, that we’re working with the Alabama Department of Transportation on,” Peters says. “We’re working to stay ahead of all this increased traffic that we’re having. We’re also looking at existing intersections and future signaled intersections to better facilitate the existing traffic along our Highway 14 corridor.” BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH As Millbrook’s population approaches18,000, making The city’s strategic position – with three Interstate 65 exits (176, 179, and 181provides exceptional accessibility for commercial development. This infrastructure advantage has made Millbrook particularly attractive for businesses seeking locations with regional draw potential. “We have the Highway 14 corridor where our hotels tend to be more centered closer to the interstate,” explains Gay.“We have several undeveloped areas on Highway 14 and commercial corridor to I-65. We’re attracting hotels and other developments there.” This commercial corridor is undergoing significant expansion, with a significant Highway 14 improvement project planned for 2026 through 2027. Stuart Peters, Project Manager, for the City of 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 MILLBROOK, AL
partners on the Elmore County Unified Sewer Line, creating flexibility and cost-sharing opportunities that will serve the community for generations. “We have captured back capacity from our sewer system, which buys us more time,” Gay notes. “Then we have the project with our partners that guarantees our future up to a certain number of years. It also places on the table partners that can help us share in the cost if we ever need to build a new sewer plant. From Millbrook’s future standpoint, 10, 20, 30 years out, the foundations have been laid to handle our sewer capacity needs multi-generationally.” On the housing front, Millbrook is experiencing robust growth across price points. The market remains particularly strong, with homes selling it the largest city in Elmore County, infrastructure investments have become critical to sustaining growth while maintaining quality of life. “Infrastructure is the first critical component,” Peters explains. “Anytime you’ve got a high population growth area, which Millbrook certainly is, you have to be proactive in all infrastructure areas.An Example - High-speed fiber access and expansion throughout the city. The Internet is just as critical as any other utility. It’s expected just as much as highways, power, sewer and water. These are all key components of strategic economic development” The city is taking a forward-thinking approach to wastewater management through innovative partnerships. Millbrook has joined with five other 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
POWERING COMMUNITIES. Whether it’s powering local homes or businesses or empowering you with high-speed, reliable fiber internet, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative and Central Access put the power of a stronger, brighter future in your hands. POWERING OPPORTUNITIES. EMPOWERING YOU. www.caec.coop www.centralaccess.com
As a utility company, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) could have just one goal—to provide reliable electricity to our members. But, we’re more than that. We’re an organization deeply connected to the communities we serve because we were created by those very communities 85 years ago. In the mid-1930s, only about 10 percent of rural America had electricity, including homes here in the River Region. Bound with the idea that they deserved more, local neighbors came together to build an electric co-op that was powered by the people. Since then, CAEC has grown and been shaped by the unique needs and desires of the people and communities we serve here in central Alabama. We partner with local agencies and civic groups to make life better in our community, through economic development and educational initiatives. With this spirit of community, in 2018 we once again took up the mantle to better the life of area residents by forming a broadband subsidiary, Central Access, bringing high-speed Internet to those no one has been willing to serve. Whether it’s serving people in our communities by delivering power or high-speed Internet, we’re proud of our heritage and continue to embody the co-op spirit.
Commission, Elmore County Board of Education, Montgomery area YMCA, and Elmore County Economic Development Authority. “17 Springs is our catalyst project for commercial expansion in Millbrook,” Harper explains.“The sports facilities are essentially done. We’re booking not only sporting events but non-sporting events because of our indoor venue, called the Fieldhouse which can also host concerts, trade shows, banquets and things of that nature.” Named after a historic art festival once held at the Millbrook YMCA property, the complex features 12 pickleball courts, 12 tennis courts, five multipurpose turf fields designed for soccer and football, a 5,500 seat stadium with a competition track, six turf diamond fields and the 86,000 square foot Fieldhouse. The facility has already attracted collegiate tournaments, youth basketball events, and baseball competitions, establishing Millbrook as a regional sports tourism destination. within an average of 36 days, significantly faster than many comparable communities. “There is a huge need for entry-level homes, but there’s also significant demand for our higher-end homes,” Peters says. “We have a lot of transplants coming from the Montgomery area, state, and other regions of the country. We’ve got significant subdivision expansion such as Plantation Oaks and Kamden’s Cove right in the heart of Millbrook. We’re seeing regional builders coming into Millbrook, and national builders tackling both entry-level and higher-end homes.” BOOSTING TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The 17 Springs development represents Millbrook’s most ambitious economic catalyst project, a 130 acre multi-use complex that combines recreational facilities, event venues, and commercial opportunities. This landmark public-private partnership unites five entities: the City of Millbrook, Elmore County 11 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 MILLBROOK, AL
STONE BUILDING COMPANY: A LEGACY OF QUALITY AND INNOVATION Stone Building Company was founded in 1983 and has been in business for four decades as a premier general contractor serving the Southeast. During this time, Stone has successfully completed projects for a wide variety of clients in the institutional, healthcare, recreational, commercial, sports facility, civic, multifamily, student housing, hospitality, and industrial market sectors. Stone Building specializes in general contracting and design-build solutions. Project services are tailored to the unique needs of each client, ensuring that every project meets high standards. The company’s client-first approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and delivering on time and within budget. One of Stone’s most recent successes is the 17 Springs recreational park in Millbrook, Alabama. This project features an 85,000 square-foot fieldhouse with the ability to be configured as four basketball courts or eight volleyball courts.The fieldhouse also provides meeting rooms, locker rooms, administrative offices, and a concession area. The facility is conveniently located next to the football stadium and running track and extends to include six baseball and softball fields. The 17 Springs project highlights Stone’s ability to manage complex projects while providing top quality facilities. Looking ahead, Stone Building Company continues to focus on growth, exploring new sectors, and embracing innovative construction technologies. With a strong foundation, the company is poised for a successful future. www.stonebuilding.com Quality Work Builds Lasting Relationships
“You have to have a hook, a destination, and then from there people look for things to do,” Gay notes. “The 17 Springs hook is not only sports tourism but event tourism too. We have several expo shows scheduled soon, dinners out there, and you can have concerts. The whole facility in a sense is 12 months, 24/7 driving people in.” The 21 acre commercial component, called “The Marketplace at 17 Springs,” fronts Highway 14 and has been divided into 12 parcels ranging from just under an acre to two and a half acres. The city recently announced its first flagship restaurant tenant, Baumhower’s Victory Grille, an Alabama sports-themed chain. “We are looking for dining and lodging establishments primarily to fill that development,” Harper says. “While people are there for their tournaments or concerts and utilizing the sports facilities, we want them to be able to have a place to eat and stay in our community overnight.” COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND FUTURE VISION Millbrook’s growth trajectory hinges on strategic partnerships that extend beyond the city limits.The city has fostered collaborative relationships with educational institutions, county government, nonprofits and economic development organizations to maximize impact while sharing resources and expertise. “The Elmore County Commission is key to our growth and to helping us make things happen,” Harper says. “Being a smaller city, we can’t always do things on our own. We have a very good relationship with our county governing body. They have a program where they’re implementing quality of life projects all over the county. 17 Springs is one of those qualityoflife projects that they have helped us with tremendously in terms of not only funding parts of it but providing in-kind services and other types of support.” 13 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 MILLBROOK, AL
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Boostr Digital Displays www.boostrdisplays.com Boostr Digital Displays is a leading Alabamabased LED company specializing in high-quality indoor and outdoor video boards, scoreboards, and scorers tables. Serving schools, universities, churches, and businesses, Boostr delivers top-tier service and dependable products at an affordable price—helping every customer maximize impact without compromising on quality. n Central Alabama Electric Cooperative www.caec.coop Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (an electric utility) and its broadband subsidiary, Central Access, work together to fulfil the power and internet service needs of over 45,000 members in a 10-county service area in central Alabama. Formed in 1939, the cooperative is dedicated to enhancing the lives of those they serve. n Stone Building Company www.stonebuilding.com Stone Building Company has been in business for four decades as a premier general contractor serving the Southeast. Stone has successfully completed projects for a wide variety of clients in the institutional, healthcare, recreational, commercial, sports facility, civic, multifamily, and industrial market sectors. We believe that “Quality Work Builds Lasting Relationships.” It is this philosophy that keeps past clients contacting Stone for their future projects. Education represents another critical partnership area. While Millbrook does not operate its own school system, it maintains close ties with the countywide educational infrastructure that serves its growing population of families. “Our schools are under a countywide school system. Our relationship is very good with the individual schools, the principals and the leadership,” Harper explains.“Our high school is one of the largest high school’s in the county, which just shows people are coming to live here. A good school system is very important because these kids are our future. Our challenge is we want these kids to get educated and stay in our county and be productive citizens.” Looking ahead to the next two years, city leadership has identified clear priorities centered on completing major development initiatives while preserving community character. “In two years, certainly 17 Springs and the Marketplace at 17 Springs will be complete. I would like to see momentum in the downtown area, and I think that’s on the horizon,” Peters says.“The Highway 14 corridor is going to continue to expand. I want to see these partnerships we have now continue to grow and blossom. I envision growth in all directions for Millbrook, balancing that with working to keep that small-town feel for the native residents while welcoming others who want this kind of lifestyle.” 14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
WWW.CITYOFMILLBROOK.ORG WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE Millbrook AL
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