Inside the annual Montgomery city-county update: Focusing on growth

The Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual city and county update on Wednesday, Oct. 21, drawing a sold-out crowd to the RSA Activity Center on Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery.

The event served as a platform for the area’s top municipal leaders to discuss ongoing progress, collaborative efforts and future milestones.

Featured speakers included Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton and Town of Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone. Together, they outlined key perspectives on how the region continues to thrive through cooperation, economic development and strategic planning.

Strengthening Montgomery military ties + regional infrastructure

A central theme of the update focused on Montgomery’s deep military roots and the vital economic impact of local installations, Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. Panelists noted that sustaining these military partnerships is essential for the region’s prosperity and long-term stability.

Expanding the focus from defense to infrastructure, Mayor Gordon Stone specifically highlighted the need to push the Pike Road outer loop project (future I-85) forward to spur community growth, capture interstate traffic and ease congestion on I-85 in Montgomery. Chairman Doug Singleton echoed this support, noting that the project is vital for business recruitment as companies consistently seek out locations near major transportation corridors.

Prioritizing public safety, education + health in Montgomery County

In addition to economic development and infrastructure, panelists stressed that public safety and education remain foundational pillars for regional prosperity. Leaders noted that ongoing recruitment efforts for police officers and investments in public education are critical to maintaining stable neighborhoods and building a strong workforce.

Rounding out these investments, healthcare took center stage as a critical component of community stability. Mayor Reed noted the city’s active steps toward establishing a cooperative health care authority with the county to oversee public healthcare infrastructure and secure long-term solutions.

What drives Montgomery County forward: Perspectives from leaders

During the panel, each leader shared unique perspectives on what makes the Montgomery area resilient:

• Mayor Steven Reed shared that Montgomery’s greatest strength lies in its people and community engagement, explaining that true progress requires collective civic involvement across neighborhoods and local organizations.
• Chairman Doug Singleton pointed to the area’s rich cultural assets, strong agricultural roots and robust community support systems as the backbone of county-wide success.
• Mayor Gordon Stone highlighted the importance of foundational pillars, such as public safety, public education, healthcare and quality of life, in maintaining sustainable long-term growth for Pike Road and the surrounding region.

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