𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

monday, August 3, 2026

Elmore County leaders broke ground today on the $70 million county jail, marking a significant investment in public safety infrastructure designed to support one of Alabama’s fastest-growing counties for decades to come.

The project reflects years of planning and collaboration between the Elmore County Commission, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, CMH Architects, and community partners. More than simply replacing an aging facility, county leaders said the new jail represents a long-term commitment to supporting the needs of a growing community while creating a safer, more efficient environment for employees and inmates.

Commissioner Brad Davis said the groundbreaking marks the culmination of four years of work to ensure the county’s public safety infrastructure keeps pace with continued population growth.

“Our county has grown significantly over the past 30 years,” Davis said. “It’s important to make sure that our public safety and infrastructure continue to grow with that.”

The current jail opened in 1995 and was designed to house 242 inmates. According to Davis, the facility now operates beyond that capacity, creating operational challenges for both staff and inmates.

Rather than simply increasing bed space, Davis said the new facility is designed to improve safety, efficiency and long-term operations. Plans include updated medical and food service areas, expanded laundry facilities, administrative offices and modern housing units. The facility also has been designed with future expansion in mind, allowing another housing pod to be added as the county continues to grow.

“We’re not just building more space,” Davis said. “We’re creating an environment where we can work more efficiently, be more effective and provide a safer place for our employees.”

Davis said planning for future expansion now will allow the county to meet tomorrow’s needs without starting over decades from now and described the project as a responsible investment that addresses current demands while preparing for Elmore County’s continued growth.

Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin, who has served through nearly the entire lifespan of the current jail, reflected on the facility’s opening in 1995, when 83 inmates were transferred into the new building.

Today, he said, the jail routinely houses about 40 percent more inmates than it was originally designed to accommodate.

Franklin also highlighted one of the county’s greatest advantages: the centralized public safety campus, where the sheriff’s office, jail, judicial center, 911 center and other public safety services are located together.

“I’ve visited sheriff’s offices across Alabama, and what we have here is unique,” Franklin said. “Having these services together allows us to operate much more efficiently than many counties where facilities are spread miles apart.”

He noted that thoughtful design has been a priority from the beginning. Lessons learned during the planning of the current jail helped shape decisions for the new facility, particularly in creating layouts that maximize officer visibility and improve daily operations.

While construction is a significant investment, Franklin said it is ultimately an investment in the county’s future.

“Nobody wants their taxpayer dollars to go toward building a jail,” Franklin said. “But it’s a much-needed responsibility that we’ve got to have.”

County leaders emphasized that modern public infrastructure is essential to maintaining a high quality of life as Elmore County continues to attract new residents, businesses and investment. Alongside roads, schools and utilities, public safety facilities play a critical role in supporting sustainable growth and ensuring communities remain safe and well served.

As construction begins, officials said the new jail will position Elmore County to meet today’s public safety needs while providing flexibility to serve future generations for decades to come.

The new Elmore County Jail will be constructed behind the Elmore County Judicial Complex in Wetumpka and will take approximately three years to complete.