𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐚

The Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) hosted a roundtable broadcast with Doug Amos on Tuesday at the Elmore County High School (ECHS) Athletic Plaza, discussing recent school improvement projects and how those improvements affect students’ quality of life.

Recent improvements include a new cafeteria and athletic plaza at ECHS, as well as turf installed on every varsity and junior varsity football field in the county — upgrades participants said strengthen both schools and community pride.

Superintendent Richard Dennis said projects of this scale require strong partnerships.

“When you’re looking at these types of venues and the costs involved with this level of improvements, it’s significant,” said Dennis. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this on our own means at this point in time, so this is huge for our students.”

Dennis explained that Elmore County Public Schools works alongside the Elmore County Commission, ECEDA, and local municipalities to fund projects that would otherwise be out of reach for the school system alone.

ECHS Principal Jason Eason said that collaboration is evident when schools present ideas.

“It’s great to have support from our board,” said Eason. “Mr. Dennis, you know, any time we bring anything to him, he’s always open to listen to us, and if we can make it work, it’s a support for our students and improves their quality of life.”

Amos noted that the improvements also contribute to community pride and retention.

“I have lived here for 22 years, and you couldn’t get me to move anywhere else,” said Amos. “I think Elmore County is a hidden gem in the Southern part of this country, and it is becoming more unhidden every day.”

Holtville High School Coach Reese Claybrook coins the county’s athletic facilities with the growth of local schools, believing that these investments go a long way for parents searching for schools for their children.

“When they walk up here, they just kind of stop and have a little bit of awe,” said Claybrook. “That’s just another opportunity to thank ECEDA for what they are doing. We invest in our academics, we invest in the schools, and we invest in our facilities, and just give our students the most top-notch life at that point.”

ECHS Coach Michael Dismukes agreed, telling how he watches the faces of visitors and alumni when they enter the plaza for the first time, surprised by the possibility of sophisticated facilities at a rural, county high school.

“What makes our schools is what we have here in the facilities,” said Dismukes. “It makes it exciting day in and day out to come here.”

D.K. Shuman, baseball coach for Stanhope Elmore High School, believes that the support from administrators and the community shows that they truly care.

“It would be hard for me to find another county that has such good support and such successful programs as every school in this county,” said Shuman. “A lot of that comes back to community support and people being willing to help fundraise and do all of the things that are required for you to accomplish the things you want to do.”

Daryl Otwell, softball coach for Wetumpka High School, added that the network of support benefits students daily.

“If there is any need, there are so many people to reach out to that support us, and they pour so much into these children every day,” said Otwell. “It’s great to have that outreach from so many people who really take pride in softball and just all the programs in Elmore County.”

The discussion ultimately underscored ECEDA’s role beyond economic recruitment. Through partnerships with schools and local leaders, the authority invests in projects that strengthen education and quality of life, reinforcing community pride across Elmore County.​​​