Mayor David Miller gave the State of the City last Thursday at the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce.  During his administration, Leeds has received over 900 new jobs, numerous awards, over $2 million interest saved on bond refinancing, major infrastructure upgrades with 20 miles of paving just this year alone, upgraded zoning to aid developers, capital investment program.  Mayor Miller said Leeds is definitely open for business and declared education as a number one priority.

Some of the jobs include Bag Supply – 75, Bellco – 28, Hubbell – 74, Outlet Shops of Grand River – 225, Coyote Drive-In – 105.  Engineering Plastic Components currently employs 110 and their expansion will add 20 more jobs. 

Buc-ee’s travel store, the “Disney World” of gas stations, with their 54 thousand square foot retail store will have most anything you can imagine.  It will include 120 gas pumps and provide $25 million in retail sales and 18 million gallons of gas the first year in operation.  Buc-ee’s will employ 208 full-time employees, not to mention seasonal people.  This new business is expected to break ground in September and be open for business in eleven months according to their plan.  It will be located at Exit 140 across from the Chevron.  Buc-ee’s is not a truck stop and is 100 percent passenger vehicles only.

Awards received by the City of Leeds include being one of the seventeen cities for Alabama Community of Excellence, number five of the Top Ten Cities for Young Professionals to Live and number three of Ten Cities for Exceptional Wealth Growth.  Two new subdivisions are under construction and the third is about to break ground.  Leeds Housing Market was selected as the Healthiest Housing Market in the state.

Mayor touched on the Leeds City School system, but didn’t elaborate since John Moore, Leeds City Schools Superintendent, will be speaking next month.

Leeds initiatives include the Habitat/Blight Program to tear down bad structures and put good structures in their place and the creation of Leeds Redevelopment Authority to work on downtown facades and revitalize certain retail areas. Miller had numerous hours of meetings and on the phone with ALDOT to work out infrastructure repairs and improvements.  Paving has been completed or still underway for Highway 78 from the Shops of Grand River to Sonic, Hwy 411 to Jefferson County line, President Street and Hwy 78 intersection, a turn lane approved program on Parkway Drive down to the bridge with a turn lane to help with elementary school traffic, elementary school drainage and sidewalk repair, new street lights and hanging baskets on Parkway Drive, sidewalk installations at the middle school and from the high school to Hwy 78 as part of the Safer Routes to School Program, concrete street on the truck route and 9th Street.  LeHigh Cement donated $82,000 of cement toward that project.  Also, a $1.5 million upgrade was done to the football field, stadium, press box, sound system and track.  Paving on Hwy. 119 is finishing up as well as paving on Ashville Rd.  Residential paving is now starting at Briarwood, Poplar Street and more.  Alabama Power had major upgrades to their building.  M & B Metal upgraded their interior.

Other initiatives include food trucks, splash pad, medical facilities, Bass Pro Out Parcels, upscale grocery store, sit-down restaurant, new and expanding businesses, an entertainment district and farmer’s market.  Mayor also discussed the place for a new government complex in the future on the blank property in front of LeHigh.  Leeds is definitely open for business with a lot going on. 

Sunday afternoon was definitely festive with the Miss Alabama Send-Off Party at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church for Jessica Procter, Miss Alabama, as she prepares to leave for Atlantic City next week for all of the events leading up to her competition in the Miss America Pageant which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 10.  Jessica’s send-off party was the largest in attendance that I have attended.  It was truly an exciting time for Jessica and all of her fans.  The Miss Leeds Area Committee is encouraging anyone not going to Atlantic City to get together with friends and participate in Miss America Watch Parties.  Jessica Procter T-shirts, buttons and fans are available for purchase.  Please contact Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com for more information and if you would like to obtain these items for your party.

Monday was an exciting day with the Solar Eclipse.  Several friends and family members traveled to locations around the country for the best view of the eclipse and it was exciting to see their Facebook posts.  We decided to watch this event on television rather than purchase glasses or risk eye damage.  Around our house, it got darker like a very overcast day or a late afternoon.  The tree frogs and crickets were singing to the top of their lungs during that time between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; then all of a sudden, the frogs and crickets just quit singing.  It was like either they knew that the eclipse was over or else they realized that it was really daytime!

This Saturday, Aug. 26 will be an exciting, fun event for the preschooler in your home.  Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church will host a Preschooler Reverse Lock-In from noon until 5 p.m.  Bring your child in his or her pajamas for plenty of games, fun activities and pancakes!  There is no charge to attend.  This is a completely FREE event for 3 year olds through kindergarten that your child will not want to miss.  Contact Paulette Bowman, Director of Preschool Ministries, at (205) 338-7711, ext. 237 for more information and visit www.EdenWestside.org.

Leeds Masonic Lodge will host their community breakfast at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2.  Breakfast is free, but donations are appreciated.  Please contact T.V. Weaver at (205) 699-6742 for more information.

Moody Police Department is still taking applications for Citizens Police Academy.  Please contact Sergeant Pete Hicks for more information at (205) 640-0343 or phicks@moodyalabama.gov.

Thought for the Week:  “Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you.” ~Unknown

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news so please send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com.  See you next week!