THE MAYOR’S TAKE
“Last year will prove monumental to the future success and development of our city. Tourism, defense, technology, infrastructure and quality of life – all of the sectors that make for success in Montgomery – experienced exciting developments that will help our city reach new heights in the years to come. Serving this community alongside 2,400 of the hardest working municipal employees has been a true blessing. We’ve experienced our share of successes, but there are many more on the horizon. As I enter the last year of the greatest honor of my life, I pledge to continue to work collaboratively to move Montgomery forward. 2019 will prove to be another banner year in making Montgomery the best city it can be. We certainly have our challenges, but together we can address them and make great progress toward becoming that shining city on the hill we can all be proud to call home, the fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a ‘beloved community’ based on justice, equal opportunity and love of fellow human beings.” - MONTGOMERY MAYOR TODD STRANGE
IT ALL ADDS UP:
2018 FOR THE CITY ENDED WITH SOME NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- SALES TAX INCREASED MORE THAN $2 MILLION BRINGING THE CITY’S 2018 FISCAL YEAR TOTAL TO $105.4M
- AD VALOREM TAX: $33.0 M AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN $1 MILLION
- LODGING TAX: + $2 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF $11.2 MILLION
GROWING SUCCESS
The city’s economy is growing, and the numbers prove it.
- 704 NEW JOBS Represents the highest employment and lowest unemployment rate in recent memory
- 30 NEW AND EXPANDING COMPANIES
- $547 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS FROM INDUSTRIES - The largest investment number for
- Montgomery County since Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama located here
SAFE & SOUND
Montgomery was ranked by a national organization as 2018’s “Safest City in Alabama.” Data reported to state and federal agencies show violent and over-all crime is down for the second consecutive year, and homicides were down more than 10 percent from 2017. “New and innovative law enforcement techniques and technologies are making a difference in Montgomery, and more will be done to ensure this trend continues,” Mayor Strange said.
MGM ON THE MAP
Montgomery is now a destination city, thanks in no small part to The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which has drawn more than 300,000 visitors since May 2018. All those heads need beds. “Montgomery hotels continued to set statewide occupancy records, and we have seven new hotels under construction or in development,” Mayor Strange said.
STRIVING FOR & SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE
While it has no official authority, The City of Montgomery was vocally supportive of residents and the business community in calling for and getting new leadership to improve Montgomery’s public schools. “Successes include balanced budgets, career tech education, accreditation on track and approval of conversion charter schools,” Mayor Strange said. “Progress has been made, but much is left to do. Student achievement is at the heart of our success.”
THE CITY WAS RECENTLY AWARDED TWO SMART CITY AWARDS WHICH HONOR THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND INFLUENTIAL GLOBAL SMART CITY PROJECTS LAUNCHED IN THE PAST YEAR.
LOOKIN’ GOOD
Recycling without the need for separation at the household level is back and is expected to extend the landfill lifecycle 35 to 50 years, while also saving millions of dollars on equipment maintenance and capital replacement costs. Blight and dilapidation removal is proceeding at a rapid pace.
TECH TRANSFORMATION
Montgomery was recently ranked as one of the Top Ten Digital Cities in America. This recognition comes as a result of great work by the Chamber and the City/County IT organization to expand on the Internet Exchange and to make TechMGM a reality. “MGMWERX, which is part and parcel in our push to be a Smart City, was launched in 2018,” Mayor Strange said. “It will prove to be a boom for both our community and those who defend this nation at Maxwell-Gunter AFB by leveraging private sector and public sector agility and expertise to solve the ‘wicked problems.’” The establishment of a Smart City Living Laboratory with Alabama Power will bring efficiencies and better solutions to the community is another notable accomplishment. “All of this will pay tremendous dividends and position Montgomery as the hub for innovation, technology and good paying jobs,” Strange said.
2018 COUNTY WINS
Under the direction of Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, the Montgomery County Fleet Maintenance Shop opened in the fall of 2018. Montgomery County is partnering with Montgomery Job Corps to offer its students the opportunity to work at the shop and gain real-life experience in hopes of obtaining full-time employment after completion of their internship.
The Commission also recently purchased property in South Montgomery County to create the Montgomery County Activity Center, which will serve residents of all ages. In partnership with the YMCA, it will offer football and basketball as well as possible youth and adult softball and baseball leagues.
2018 BY THE NUMBERS
- 500 MORE JOBS CREATED
- $547 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS FROM INDUSTRIES
- COMING SOON - A new website for Montgomery County is launching soon. The new site will be more user-friendly and will allow residents to handle county business from the comfort of their laptop, tablet or phone.
- COUNTY SALES TAX COLLECTIONS: $45.8 MILLION (UP 2 PERCENT FROM FY2017)
- AD VALOREM TAX COLLECTIONS: $20.8 MILLION
- LODGING TAX COLLECTIONS: $2.8 MILLION
- ALMOST 20 MILES OF PAVING ACROSS ALL CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS COMPLETED
SMOOTH LANDING
Early in 2018, we began to prepare for the F-35 landing at the 187th Fighter Wing ANG at Dannelly Field. This success secured several thousand jobs and capital expenditures will total close to $100 million when completed. “Just as importantly, it forces us to drive technology in our schools through STEM programs and education at all levels for the 21st century job market,” Mayor Strange said. “Its ramifications will last long into the future, just as Hyundai’s presence has continued to drive employment and economic development here.”
