Stories
Alabama is a place with stories to tell. Here, you’ll find the journeys of YTA alumni, partners, and everyday Alabamians who have transformed challenges into triumphs worth celebrating. Their stories capture the spirit, resilience, and heart that make Alabama a truly remarkable home.We invite you to explore these uplifting narratives and celebrate the achievements that define our community. If you have a story you’re proud of or know someone whose journey deserves recognition, please share it with us.
AC Reeves: The Art of Community Installations
WHO:AC Reeves ALUMNI YEAR:2019 Community:Selma, ALEvery community needs both dreamers and doers, and the City of Selma is lucky enough to have both in AC Reeves (YTA ’19). Reeves is an artist, developer, realtor, business owner, and tour operator – her days stay busy....
Downtown Montevallo Streetscape
This comprehensive streetscape renovation transformed Montevallo’s downtown by adding widened, ADA compliant sidewalks, moving utility lines underground, installing new historic-looking light poles with banner arms, and updating our 4 main intersections with new traffic
Brewton ProValus Startup
Objective/Solution Spark local economic development and job growth with the launch of information technology startup ProValus.Community:Brewton, AL Project:ProValusFunding $7 million in state/federal economic development grants, $4 million infrastructure upgrade grant...
Brewton Market Park
Objective/Solution Convert dilapidated buildings into a green space for the community and hire a local artist to create a mural.Community:Brewton, AL Project:Market Park Green Space and MuralWith $20,000 in local funding, the city of Brewton created Market Park, a...
Objective/Solution
Renovate Montevallo’s downtown area to create a more accessible and appealing streetscape that will draw in new businesses as well as investment in existing small businesses.
Community:
Montevallo, AL
Project:
Downtown Montevallo Streetscape
Timeline:
2017–2018
Biggest Takeaway
“I loved the experience of group discussion and decision-making with a group of people with conflicting agendas in a low-stakes environment. It’s a safe way to practice the tools and methods we need to utilize at our ‘real jobs’ with much higher stakes. I learned a lot from meeting with planners and other people in different fields related to mine. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. I highly recommend YTA!”
– Courtney Bennet, 2018 Attendee
Funding
The project was funded by a federal TAP grant, along with 20% in matching funds from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District.
Several private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
Funding
The project was funded by a federal TAP grant, along with 20% in matching funds from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District.
Several private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
Improve green spaces and public areas
Consider impact on the local community
Bring in new business and jobs
Improve green spaces and public areas
Consider impact on the local community
Bring in new business and jobs
This comprehensive streetscape renovation transformed Montevallo’s downtown by adding widened, ADA compliant sidewalks, moving utility lines underground, installing new historic-looking light poles with banner arms, and updating our 4 main intersections with new traffic arms and lights, walk signals, and cobblestone sidewalks that tie into the aesthetics of the University of Montevallo. In addition, we built two pocket parks downtown—Owl’s Cove Park, which replaced a parking lot with a beautiful park that is home to several live music events every year, and Bicentennial Park, home to our “Big Red” clock and bicentennial time capsule on a site which was previously a vacant lot. A number of private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
This $5 million project was primarily funded through a federal TAP grant, with the 20% in matching funds coming from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District. Founded in 2012, the MDCD is comprised of 3 partners—the City of Montevallo, the University of Montevallo, and Shelby County—who jointly do projects that improve our community. The city’s financial contribution to the MDCD is 90% of a 1% sales tax increase.
Construction began in January 2017 and was completed in spring of 2018. We know that, since Montevallo became a Designated Main Street community in June 2016, we have had over $5.6 million in public investment downtown, which has inspired over $6.2 million in private investment by downtown business and property owners over this period of time. We have also had 23 net new or relocating businesses open downtown, with a net of 39 new jobs created.
Past attendees include:
– Mayor Sharon Anderson ‘99
– Herman Lehman ’04; City Clerk
– Amy Feger ‘06
– Mayor Ben McCrory ‘09
– Mayor Hollie Cost ‘15
– Courtney Bennett ’18; Main Street Montevallo Director
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