Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

28 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 f there is one thing we all can agree on it is the warm embrace that southern cities offer the visitor and Alexander City, situated in East Central Alabama is no exception. The city is also currently experiencing a remarkable transformation. After its century-long textile heritage came to an abrupt halt in the early 2000s, the community embarked on a journey of reinvention. Although Mayor Woody Baird describes the buyout of Russell Corporation and the subsequent loss of 5,000 jobs as a “total economic catastrophe for our local area,” Alexander City’s story doesn’t end there. Today, the community is witnessing unprecedented growth and development, evolving into an attractive destination, and embracing new opportunities across various sectors. I From Textile Heritage to Thriving Community, Alexander City is Embarking on a Journey of Reinvention and Growth ATION