Local government serves as the foundation of Alabama’s economy– and investing in your local community can help lay the groundwork for the state’s prosperous future.
Live Locally Alabama aims to focus on just that. The quality-of-life campaign, spearheaded by the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) on behalf of local leaders, was developed to enhance the well-being of our communities. It focuses on bringing awareness to the essential aspects of local government such as public safety, infrastructure improvements, economic investment, education, workforce development, supporting local businesses and the many cultural and recreational activities available in sweet home Alabama.
Getting involved in local government promotes a collaboration between citizens and government in coming up with new ways of relating and working together– and community engagement is pivotal to encourage more sustainable decisions to continue to improve livability in our local communities.
Below are five simple ways you can contribute to the prosperity of your own hometown throughout the year, especially during the holidays. Three former ALM presidents and current board members share their perspectives on how these ways specifically help their communities.
Shop and Eat Locally
Supporting local businesses is one of the most direct ways to boost your community’s economy. When you shop and eat at local stores, restaurants, boutiques and markets, more of your dollars remain within the community, helping to create jobs and fund public services. Whether it is a visit to your local farmer’s market, or shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts at an independent retailer, you can feel good about shopping and eating locally.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Small Business Profile, Alabama is home to 449,024 small businesses, which make up 99.4% of all businesses in the state. Keep small businesses in mind when you are out shopping during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and the days leading up to Christmas.
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller notes how his community offers a unique range of shopping, and how shopping locally can positively impact the city’s future. “Our small business community offers unique shopping experiences and our larger shopping areas like Tiger Town and Saugahachee Square offer endless opportunities,” he says. By shopping locally, residents strengthen relationships with their neighbors and friends, and it enhances the community’s economic vitality.
Play and Explore Locally
Whether it is hitting the pickleball courts, attending a local concert or taking advantage of your community’s outdoor spaces, there are a variety of ways for both youth and adults to play and explore locally that will foster connection and support local organizers.
The state’s local governments work together to improve infrastructure and focus on intentional growth and development that preserves Alabama’s beautiful natural resources and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar reflects on a principal example of how her community has been positively impacted through the creation of their new waterfront development called City Harbor. “With its prime location on Lake Guntersville, City Harbor is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, she says. While the town is known as Alabama’s Lake City, Dollar also states, “Whether you are a current resident, a vacation traveler, or looking to relocate your family or business, Guntersville offers you the amenities of a larger city plus the friendliness and charm of a small town. We take pride in being a warm and inviting community with an excellent quality of life, superb schools, a thriving arts community, numerous recreational opportunities, beautiful neighborhoods, and excellent shopping and dining experiences.”
Learn Locally
To learn locally means diving into educational opportunities right where you live and investing in local education and knowledge-sharing opportunities. These initiatives not only enrich your life but also strengthen your community’s cultural foundation.
You can learn locally by participating in school organizations, joining a book club or attending workshops or courses offered by local businesses, libraries or community centers. Kids can get involved in learning locally by visiting nearby museums or nature centers.
Citizens can also learn about local government, businesses and community challenges through chamber of commerce programs designed for civic leaders. Attend a local council meeting, engage with community initiatives and improvement projects and follow your community’s social media pages to stay up-to-date with their latest activities and plans.
Serve Locally
Volunteering and participating in local service projects is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to your community. Whether it is volunteering your time at a food bank, animal shelter, or community garden, your efforts truly make a difference.
It is especially important to consider serving locally during the holidays. Participate in donation drives for clothes, books or non-perishable food items to help those in need, or contribute to local fundraisers of causes that directly benefit your community.
Engage Locally
Finally, be sure to thank those that help to put on the community events you love every year like parades, concerts and festivals. From the worker that changes out the light pole decorations each season to the sanitation worker and first responder working during the holidays, look for ways to show your gratitude.
Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy reminds us of the importance of extending kindness. “With the holidays always being special, we just want to remind everyone to try and slow down, make a greater effort to be kind to others, and be more patient in our daily activities,” he says. “A point to remember is the kind act we give to one another during this special time of the year– it may be the greatest gift they will receive this holiday season.”
Engage with your community and share your community pride. ALM has created graphics for citizens and businesses to show their support of their hometown and the Live Locally Alabama campaign! To learn more about the campaign, visit https://almonline.org/LiveLocallyAlabama.aspx.
