Jasper officials had the opportunity to the city to state lawmakers and officials with the second annual Discover Jasper event held at Central on Coosa Tuesday in Montgomery.
The event, organized by the City of Jasper and Jasper Main Street, allowed Jasper officials to speak with the local legislative delegation, other lawmakers from across the state as well as directors of various state agencies. The purpose of the event was to keep Jasper at top of minds of officials, which will help the city in a variety of ways, including keeping it in the minds of lawmakers and agencies when funding options are available.
“The Discover Jasper event creates a familiarity that is essential to continued growth and prosperity in our community.
It is important for state government officials to put names and faces with local leaders,” said Connie Rowe, senior adviser to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. “There’s a difference in taking a call from a person you’ve met, shook hands with, spoken with face to face and a person who holds a local leadership position but is only known as a title holder on the other end of the phone, letter or email.”
Jasper Mayor David O’Mary said the relationships during the event are invaluable.
“Discover Jasper is a rare opportunity to make contact with numerous upper echelon leaders in State Government. It is these folks that make the decisions on financial support for municipalities. Being connected never hurts,” O’Mary said.
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) said the event showcased positives in the community.
“The goal of this event was to showcase the great things going on in our community for leaders from around the state of Alabama,” Reed said. “There was great attendance for the event, as it is always very well organized with a number of state elected officials, as well as members of the legislature in attendance as well as those from our community for an informative time together. I was honored to be a part, in that it is such a privilege for me to represent Walker County at all of Senate District 5.”
District 13 Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) said the ability to present the success taking place in Jasper and Walker County is always a positive things.
“I think it is always good to share the positive things happening in our community with other state leaders,” Woods said. “Telling our story of revitalization and transforming downtown Jasper into a destination with huge festivals and entertainment is something I am proud to do. Providing information surrounding our local success will increase our chances of securing additional resources to support and grow our community. “
Rowe said the event is also helpful for residents in the area.
“Discover Jasper also provides state government officials and their staffs an opportunity to visually connect senators and representatives to their constituents back home in their district,” she said. “If a person from from our area needs State’s services, information or guidance, state officials will recognize this is Pro Tem Reed or Representative Woods’ home turf. That’s important. The event has been wildly successful and well attended.
I look forward to seeing folks from home making connections in our state capitol.”
O’Mary said no public funds were used to pay for the event with all funding coming from private donors. Those sponsors were Synovus, Sain & Associates, Stifel and Timberline Homes of Jasper.
