Danielle W. Kirkland
Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy delivered the State of the City address at Goose Pond Civic Center on Tuesday, April 9.
Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy said the city has seen significant accomplishments and growth over the past three years as he delivered his State of the City Address Tuesday morning to a large crowd at Goose Pond Civic Center.
“I have advocated, and will continue to advocate communication, collaboration and cooperation,” McCamy said. “To support that, we continue working to create and enhance partnerships throughout all levels of city government and supporting organizations, as well as neighboring cities and the county.”
McCamy said one example of that partnership is the city’s collaboration with Jackson County’s judiciary by providing $100,000 in opioid settlement funding to court programs that deal with individuals and families who are impacted by the opioid crisis.
“We continue to work with them regarding ongoing juvenile issues resulting from this crisis,” McCamy added.
McCamy described his Mayor’s Partnership Group, which includes the city, the county and key stakeholder organizations in the community. He added that two years ago he invited the Scottsboro Board of Education and Highlands Medical Center to join the group.
“With industrial recruitment, there are certain key points recruiters always ask about in site selection,”McCamy said. “Two of those key points are health care and schools. Huntsville Hospital and Highlands Medical Center continue to improve facilities and capabilities, and recruit new physicians and staff that provide excellent health care in Scottsboro and Jackson County.”
McCamy said in 2023, the hospital hit several major milestones, including the addition of a pain management practice and a new pediatric practice, the recruitment of new general surgery and OB-GYN physicians, the addition of a nursing apprenticeship with Northeast Alabama Community College and the completion of building renovations.
“An addition 148 staff have been added for a total of 871, and $51.6 million in direct salaries and benefits,” McCamy said.
McCamy said Scottsboro City Schools are performing well in academics and extracurricular activities, adding that the schools achieved an over all “B” on th state report card, with two schools improving from a “B” to an “A”. McCamy also spoke about the many club an athletic accomplishments of students over the past year.
He added that the city supported the school system’s request for a bond issue to fund a classroom addition and expansion at Caldwell Elementary School and to provide facility upgrades at Scottsboro High School.
“Those improvements are on schedule to be completed this summer,”McCamy said.
The mayor said the city has a continued partnership with NACC through the Scottsboro Industrial Development Board and the Jackson County Economic Development Authority to provide a location for the schools’ CDL truck driving program training facility.
McCamy added that he is very excited for NACC’s new Workforce Development Center.
“This will be a first class, state-of-the-art, $26 million facility, that will support business and industry’s workforce training needs in the Northeast Alabama region and further enhance the dual enrollment possibilities for our high school students,” McCamy said.
McCamy told the crowd that the city council has managed tax dollars very well and the city is in sound financial condition.
“We continue to maintain an A+ Bond Rating,” McCamy said. “This is the highest possible rating for a city our size.”
McCamy stated that though recovery during and after the COVID pandemic was difficult, the city is now stronger than before.
McCamy said the council made board salary increases for all city employees. He then gave a breakdown of the city’s revenue for 2023, stating that sales tax increased to $14.9 million, from $13.6 million in 2022, property tax was $1.53 million, business license was $1.28 million, TVA In-Lieu-of-Tax was $992.019, garbage collection was $4.28 million, salary and benefits were $15.23 million and lodging tax was $526,000.
McCamy said the city’s total budgeted revenue for fiscal year 2024 is $27.6 million, up from $24.98 million in 2023.
Next, the mayor gave a breakdown of the city’s economic development progress.
“You have heard me say this many times before, one of the primary rules in economic development is to take care of your existing industries first, and we take this rule very seriously,” McCamy said. “The Jackson County Economic Development Authority and the Scottsboro Industrial Development Board continue to provide incredible support to existing industries as they work to support expansions, as well as work to recruit new industries.”
McCamy said last year he requested that the city council approve the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a joint project with the Water, Sewer and Gas Board.
“This project extended a 16-inch water main targeting future residential, commercial and industrial growth on the eastern side of Scottsboro and all the way to the industrial park in Hollywood,” McCamy said.
The project, which was completed in January, is a significant addition to the city’s industrial recruiting ability, McCamy explained.
McCamy said the Scottsboro Municipal Airport also plays a role in economic development, adding that since 2020 the city has received $.2.5 million in federal and state funds for the airport.
“Using that funding we have added 5.5 acres of property to the airport site, improved the appearance of the terminal, performed pavement maintenance, sealed and marked the runway and completed our airport layout plan,” the mayor said. “We continue to work toward additional property acquisition to provide more functional space for the airport.”
McCamy said the city saw significant retail growth in the year 2023, with ten new projects or remodels totaling a $17.3 million capital investment.
He said growth in Shops of Scottsboro was one of the factors in that growth.
“Since opening in November of 2022, the businesses in “Shops” continues to exceed expectations,” he said. “I said at both the Groundbreaking and Ribbon Cutting that “Shops of Scottsboro” would be a transformational development for Scottsboro and Jackson County. That is proving to be true.”
McCamy said the retail growth has resulted in more than 500 new jobs for Scottsboro and Jackson County.
Next, McCamy spoke about his commitment to improving city streets, adding that in 2023 some significant transportation projects were completed. Among those were the Micah Way to Byron Road frontage road extension, the project at Highway 35 and Micah Way and resurfacing of Crawford Road.
McCamy said the Resurfacing Plan for 2024 is over six miles and is currently being prepared for bid.
The mayor told the crowd that the city is challenged with housing for residents as the city continues to grow, but that new developments will be a good start toward addressing the need for housing.
“Last year we issued 36 new single family residential permits for a $11.8 million investment and 11 residential additions permits totaling a $13.2 million investment. A new housing development on Phillips Drive has started with plans to provide 116 single family homes,”McCamy said. “The Timbers at Galloway” is open with 56 townhomes and a club house on Crawford Road for a total investment of $10.1 million, and Cody Lambert’s development on Snodgrass Road, Feathered Oaks, had eight homes initially, with four currently under construction, and eight more planned for next year. “
McCamy said the city is moving forward with efforts to improve. Over the past four years, McCamy explained that the city has been awarded two Community Development Block Grants through ADECA to remove blighted and dilapidated structures within the city. He said the city developed a list of 29 structures that were targeted for removal and the project is nearing completion.
McCamy said the city is now implement more aggressive actions to help clean up and council members Nita Tolliver and Donna Fredrick are working to conduct a citywide People Against a Litter State work day on April 27.
“All of these efforts will serve to improve the appearance of Scottsboro, enhance our opportunities for growth and is general indicator of our quality of life,” McCamy said.
McCamy said the city works with several foundations and partnerships that it is fortunate to be a part of, including the Singing River Trail, Tennessee RiverLine, Launch 2035 and Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville.
Lastly McCamy thanked all of the city departments, saying the city is blessed to have such capable departments.
“Now it’s time to take these successes to the next level,” McCamy said at the end of his address. “I know there will continue to be challenges. We will continue to meet those challenges through communication, collaboration, cooperation and solid partnerships. I am deeply humbled and appreciative to each one of you for allowing me to represent you as your mayor. I ask for your continued prayers and support as we continue to pursue quality retail and industrial growth that provide good jobs for our present and future residents.”
