Thank You to Our Investors and Supporters in 2024. Cheers to an Even Stronger 2025!

The end of the calendar year is often used for reflecting and giving thanks, and so much happened in Dale County, Alabama, this year that there’s a lot to be thankful for. It’s an exciting time to live in the Wiregrass region as businesses continue to move and expand within Southeast Alabama.

The Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODEDC) recently held its annual evening of appreciation for investors and discussed some of the highlights from 2024.

“It is because of all of you that we are able to grow our county and better the lives of our citizens through our community and economic development efforts,” said Holle Smith, President of the ODCEDC.

While the appreciation dinner is designed to be an evening for fellowship and celebration, it’s worth reviewing everything the ODCEDC accomplished this year. Here are a few highlights that Smith touched on. 

ODEDC Highlights from 2024 

ODEDC recognizes that there are several moving pieces to economic development, from infrastructure improvement to workforce development. Here are a few focus areas from 2024 that contributed to significant improvements in Dale County.

• Housing: ODCEDC continues to make strides in combatting our local housing shortage. Single-family homes continue to be under construction in The Cottages and The Village. Additionally, the Andrews Place apartment homes opened in August directly beside the Alabama Aviation College.
• Site Development: Alabama’s introduction of the SEEDS Act allowed us to apply for and be awarded funding for environmental assessments on the Hanchey Field Road Site in Daleville, which will make it more marketable.
• Workforce Development: ODEDC provided awards to the top career tech students at each of our area high schools. We also partnered with Grow Southeast Alabama and Southeast AlabamaWorks to award a $1,500 scholarship to a Dale County High School Senior who was entering a career tech program at an area community college.
• Quality of Life: ODEDC was instrumental in re-establishing the Ozark 101 Program. Ozark graduated with designation as an Alabama Community of Excellence at the Alabama League of Municipalities convention.

ODEDC continuously responds to the needs of the community. When investors and supporters share their opportunities and pain points, we respond and try to help where we can. 

Business Growth and Expansion in Dale County

ODEDC knows that its efforts are paying off because of the continued investment in Dale County. A few notable additions in 2024 include Averitt Express, which announced its relocation into Midland City and will add 20 new jobs to its existing 37, with a total investment of $16.2 million. SetaTech, a start-up company that completed Hudson Alpha’s Gener8tor program, has established a home in the Ozark Technology Center. SetaTech has tremendous growth potential and has partnered with AriChem out of Ariton to produce its products.

Other new businesses that opened their doors or announced plans to expand into Dale County this past year include:

• The Car Wash Guys
• Dunham’s Sporting Goods
• Goldfinger’s
• Taco Bell
• Dickey’s Barbecue
• Dollar General

ODEDC is currently working on numerous other industrial and retail projects and hopes to bring those to fruition. While Dale County saw impressive business growth in 2024, plans are in place to expand the number of industries and companies in the region through 2025 and beyond. 

Economic Development is Made Possible Through Community Partnerships

ODEDC does not work alone to support economic development in Dale County. During the appreciation dinner, Smith had countless people to thank, highlighting the various groups, investors, businesses, and supporters who want to see this part of Alabama thrive. Here are a few groups that make ODEDC’s endeavors possible:

• Investors that support ODEDC financially and through their service.
• Local leadership, including county commissioners, city council representatives, and local mayors. 
• ODEDC’s board members who serve from the heart and truly want growth in their community.
• Utility partners, including Alabama Power, Southeast Gas, C Spire, Pea River Electric Cooperative, and PowerSouth.
• Community partners, including the Alabama Department of Commerce, AIDT, the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, the Small Business
• Development Center, Wiregrass RC&D, and the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce. 
• Local media personnel who help us tell our story.
• Administration from the Alabama Community College System who are more than ready to assist our existing industries.
• Department heads within the City of Ozark, the City of Daleville, and the Dale County Commission.
• Ozark and Dale County School System administration.
• Representatives from Fort Novosel.
• State Representative, Steve Clouse, State Senator Donnie Chesteen, State Representative Marcus Paramore, State Senator Josh Carnley, and representatives from the staff of U.S. Congressman Barry Moore and U.S. Senator Katie Britt.

Smith concluded by heartily thanking her ODEDC co-workers, Denise Ellis and Lisa Dauster, for their daily hard work. “I couldn’t ask for greater women to spend the better part of my days with,” she said. 

Grow with ODEDC in 2025

The annual appreciation dinner highlights just how many people, companies, and organizations come together to ensure a bright future for Ozark-Dale County. It doesn’t just take a village, it takes a whole state! You can contribute to the development of this region by becoming an investor or renewing your membership. We can’t wait to grow in 2025 with your support and ideas.