St. Clair County Economic Development Council

08/12/2026

A $750,000 investment in local healthcare. A major investment in St. Clair County. 🏥 📈 👏

We’re proud to celebrate an incredible show of community partnership benefiting UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair!

Through Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program, Metro Bank donated $500,000 and Goodgame Company donated $250,000 to support the hospital and help enhance medical care for residents throughout St. Clair County and beyond. The St. Clair County Commission and City of Pell City each provided a 5% match to the donations.

The funding will help purchase medical equipment for providers and patients, strengthening access to quality care right here at home.

Strong communities are built through strong partnerships, and we’re incredibly grateful to Metro Bank, Alabama, Goodgame Company, Inc., St. Clair County, The City of Pell City, and UAB St. Vincent's Alabama for continuing to invest in the health and future of our community.

This is what investing in St. Clair County looks like.

08/11/2026

Today, we witnessed what can happen when partnership creates progress right here in St. Clair County.
Through Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program (RHIP) tax credit, approved by the Alabama Legislature, local partners Goodgame Company and Metro Bank have stepped up to support UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair—resulting in an incredible $750,000 investment in local healthcare.
This is a great example of state policy creating an opportunity for local businesses and community partners to invest directly in the health and strength of the communities they serve.
We are grateful for the leadership that made this program possible and for local partners who chose to make a meaningful investment right here at home. Partnership really does produce progress!

Today, August 10, 2026, UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair announced it secured a $750,000 grant through Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program (RHIP) that will support the purchase of new equipment for the facility. The maximum allowable award was made possible through tax-credit contributions from two local partners: Goodgame Company and Metro Bank.

Created by the Alabama Legislature, the RHIP initiative allows businesses and individuals to redirect their state tax dollars directly to local rural healthcare facilities. The program launched following a required 10% local match, funded equally through a partnership between the Pell City Council and the St. Clair County Commission.

During the presentation, Hospital Administrator Lisa Nichols said the funds will expand local care capabilities so some patients can avoid traveling to Birmingham for treatment. The facility has already acquired a new bronchoscope for its pulmonologist and will use additional funds to replace patient beds.

"Being able to focus our local tax dollars on meeting local needs is essential for our community's growth," said Don Smith, Executive Director of the St. Clair Economic Development Council, who thanked Sen. Lance Bell and Rep. Randy Wood for passing the state legislation.

Leaders from both donating organizations said they were proud to support the hospital. Jason Goodgame of Goodgame Company and Jason Dorough of Metro Bank emphasized they were grateful to reinvest in this important facility and the health of St. Clair County residents.

Pictured: Pell City Council Member James McGowan, Pell City Council Member Jud Alverson, UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair Administrator Lisa Nichols, State Sen. Lance Bell, Metro Bank President / CEO Jason Dorough, City Manager Tim Kurzejeski, Goodgame Company President Jason Goodgame, St. Clair County Commission Chair Stan Batemon, Chief Nursing Officer Shiloh Swiney, State Rep. Randy Wood. Photo courtesy of UAB.

Bill Pruitt - Mayor of Pell City UAB Medicine Metro Bank, Alabama Company

07/31/2026

St. Clair County partnerships were well represented in the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham’s Summer 2026 newsletter!

RPCGB highlighted several important projects underway across our county, including:

• A $1.5 million EPA Brownfields Coalition Grant that will help communities assess properties and plan for cleanup and redevelopment - St. Clair County partnered with RPCGB to highlight a site in Ragland
• A countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan being developed with the St. Clair County Commission and EDC
• Completed improvements to Ashville Community Park
• Comprehensive planning efforts in Springville and Margaret
• Regional housing research and planning that includes every St. Clair County municipality
• The Saniee Road/Argo–Margaret intersection realignment study

We appreciate RPCGB’s continued partnership and the planning, grant assistance, and technical expertise it provides to help our communities prepare for growth and pursue future funding opportunities.

Read the Summer 2026 newsletter here:
https://mailchi.mp/6e73d2b0640f/we-still-need-your-valuable-input-14770512?e=1e39f76d50

07/24/2026

We all understand that more can be done when community leaders come together to promote their region. It can also be fun as well, especially when you get great people together.

07/21/2026

Don Smith, our Executive Director, joined fellow economic development leaders at the EDAA Summer Conference for a panel discussion on “How Community Colleges Help Win Projects, Grow Industry, and Strengthen Communities.”
Don shared how strong partnerships between economic developers, community colleges, and industry help communities build a skilled workforce, compete for new investment, and support existing businesses.

We appreciate the Alabama Community College System and EDAA for creating opportunities to highlight the important role workforce development plays in Alabama’s economic growth.

07/17/2026

Fueling growth in St. Clair County! ⛽️🎉

We were proud to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new 7-Eleven Speedway in Steele. Thank you to the Town of Steele, Mayor Roger Adams, the St. Clair County Commission, community leaders, and the 7-Eleven team for helping make today’s celebration possible.

This new location represents continued investment, expanded services for residents and travelers, and another exciting step forward for St. Clair County.

Welcome to Steele, Speedway 7-Eleven! 🥤🌭🍫

07/17/2026

We are always excited to see communities take advantage of funding opportunities!

🎉Congratulations to the City of Moody
on its $328,000 Rebuild Alabama Award! We are glad the EDC's Grant Resource Center could help identify this opportunity, and we commend the City's leadership for successfully securing this investment in Moody's future.

Moody receives $328K grant for street resurfacing.

Link in the comments.

07/17/2026

Great representation from St. Clair County today!
The mayors of Argo, Moody, and Springville joined local leaders from across East Central Alabama for the ALDOT East Central Region Strategic Planning Session, helping shape priorities for Alabama's next Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

These discussions are an important opportunity for our communities to advocate for transportation investments that improve safety, strengthen connectivity, support economic development, and prepare our region for future growth.

We are grateful to our municipal leaders for taking the time to represent St. Clair County and to ALDOT for bringing together local governments and regional partners to ensure community voices help guide future transportation planning.

Working together today helps build a stronger, more connected tomorrow.

07/08/2026

We are proud to see our Executive Director, Don Smith, recognized during Auburn University's Intensive Economic Development Training Course.
Don shared a simple but powerful reminder:
"Strong return on investment creates stronger communities."
That philosophy guides the work we do every day at the St. Clair County Economic Development Council. Economic development is about creating lasting value for our communities through strategic investments, strong partnerships, and thoughtful planning.
We appreciate Auburn University's Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) for bringing together economic development professionals from across the country to share ideas and strengthen our profession.
Congratulations, Don, on representing St. Clair County so well!

06/10/2026

Building Stronger Communities Through Planning and Partnerships 🤝

This morning, our Grants and Leadership Director, Candice Hill, spoke to the St. Clair County Mayors Association at Argo City Hall about the St. Clair County Grants Resource Center and the role strategic planning plays in successful grant funding.

From identifying opportunities and connecting resources to turning community visions into funded projects, the discussion focused on helping local communities compete for funding and create lasting impact.

We appreciate the opportunity to share how planning, partnerships, and preparation can help turn ideas into action across St. Clair County.