Hyundai has had a huge impact on central Alabama, but Montgomery should continue to focus on Maxwell Air Force Base as well, a chamber of commerce official said.
“When we discuss the economic impact that Hyundai has on Montgomery, this region and this state, I think sometimes we forget the economic impact that Maxwell Air Force Base has on not just Montgomery but the state of Alabama,” Caleb Goodwyn, chief economic development officer for the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, told the Montgomery County Commission.
“It’s imperative that we continue to focus on Maxwell,” Goodwyn said. “That’s why we’ve made it our priority at the (MGCC) to focus on the redevelopment of Maxwell Boulevard, and we’ve been working with our local partners.”
He stated that Congressman Shomari Figures submitted a $2 million request for funding of the Maxwell Boulevard Gateway project.
The chamber also wants to focus on beautification and reducing what Goodwyn said was blight around the area.
Montgomery County Commission Chairman Douglas Singleton said that the economic impact of the Maxwell base is about $2.4 billion annually for the county and affirmed the need to clean up the surrounding area.
Commissioner Daniel Harris briefly touched on the commission’s investment in the gateway.
“Let it not be lost that the commission has already spent over $100 million on Maxwell Boulevard,” Harris said. “I think we’ve shown that we are partners that are willing to come forth and help with the development of that boulevard.”
As for Hyundai, Goodwyn said the auto plant has grown from 2,000 employees to approximately 4,200 since it opened in 2002. It now supports more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs through its supplying network in Alabama. It has a $5 billion impact on the state, he stated.
Montgomery is the site of manufacturing for Santa Fe, Tucson and Genesis. More than 6 million vehicles have been produced so far.
In other business, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham was recognized with a proclamation for being named the 2026 Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association.
The Daughters of the American Revolution received a proclamation in light of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.
Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
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