William “Bill” Cooper is the Mayor of Enterprise, AL which is one of the best places in Alabama to live, learn and call home!
Enterprise: In the News
Power Moves: William E. ‘Bill’ Cooper leads Enterprise, Alabama’s ‘City of Progress’
Being the first in any arena often takes time and effort. William E. “Bill” Cooper ran a successful race to become the first Black elected mayor of Enterprise after being the first Black elected to the City Council, where he served for 30 years. He has now served more than four years as mayor.
“I have always approached public service with a spirit of commitment, integrity, cooperation and unity,” he said. “I love the city of Enterprise, and I strive to be honest, fair and kind to all.”
Over the years, Cooper has watched the community grow in impactful ways.
“Working together, we have been able to move this city forward significantly,” he said. As a forward-thinking mayor, Cooper understands that “the future becomes today.”
During the ongoing pandemic, businesses suffered and struggled. But most survived and many prospered. In fact, the city of Enterprise issued 533 new business licenses in 2020, reflecting an increase of 134 from 2019.
Cooper said it has been a team effort to grow the city.
“Practically all of the achievements we have made in Enterprise in the past 30 years … have been made possible by people working together. I have tried to encourage unity, compromise and reconciliation to maintain a good working relationship between the city, its boards and commissions, other local agencies, businesses and state and federal agencies,” Cooper said.
Budget growth is one indicator of how the overall economy and the city’s financial operation has evolved during the years. The city’s $14 million general fund budget has more than doubled since 2000 as an expanding population places increasing demands on services. The number of residents in Enterprise has grown by about 36% over the past 20 years.
Housing sales and new construction are thriving. Businesses are interested in locating in Enterprise, whether it’s on Boll Weevil Circle, which rings the city, or in one of the shopping centers downtown.
“We have several commercial projects in the works as well … and we are working with other business prospects who are considering locations in the city,” Cooper said.
One of the initiatives in which Cooper takes pride is the Main Street Enterprise program. Designated by Main Street Alabama after a lengthy, intense competitive process, it is now in its third year.
“Main Street Enterprise has been a wonderful tool to enhance the downtown experience,” Cooper said. “We are very proud of our downtown Enterprise, with its mix of retail and historical elements, combined with great food and cultural experiences. The occupancy rate of buildings downtown is high, and buildings are being restored or renovated regularly for new locations.”
Enterprise Mayor William E. “Bill” Cooper said the growth in his city is the result of a team effort. (Photo by Moments with T. Giles)
Enterprise is also working to improve roadways. The city has been working with the Alabama Department of Transportation to start a five-lane project from Salem Road to Boll Weevil Circle, with plans to do more upgrading soon to Highway 167 North.
The Enterprise Municipal Airport is expanding, with a new $1 million terminal building that opened in March.
“We are still elated about our selection last year to be the site of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs’ next long-term care facility,” said Cooper.
The 182,000-square-foot facility is expected to be under construction by January 2022 and to have 175 beds to serve veterans. There are about 7,000 veterans in the community. On July 9, the State Board of Veterans Affairs voted to name new state veterans home in Enterprise after Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient Army Command Sgt. Major Bennie Adkins.
Mayor Cooper talks about the long-standing relationship between the military in the community and the city of Enterprise. (Photo by Moments with T. Giles)
Enterprise and the Army’s Fort Rucker have a close relationship. Fort Rucker is an economic engine, pouring about $2 billion annually into Enterprise and the surrounding region’s economy.
“We are home to active duty military personnel who will one day become veterans. We are a patriotic community that supports our military, our military personnel and veterans,” Cooper said.
With so much growth happening, Cooper said he must stay focused.
“One of the many lessons I’ve learned is that you must be resilient in your personal life, in your career and in your public service efforts.
“In public service, you are going to face all kinds of adversity,” he said. “But from the values instilled in me by my parents, I understood that if you are committed to something for the right reasons and pursue it in the right way, with honesty and integrity, you can overcome or bounce back from just about anything.”
Cooper grew up during segregation and the civil rights movement. He never gave up on the life lessons his parents taught him about a good work ethic and commitment. He started his career as a musician, playing the trumpet and teaching band at various schools. He often says his life moved “from musician to politician.”
“I have been blessed, and I am proud to represent people of color. But I am a mayor of all of the people, and I’m proud to represent all of Enterprise.”
Original article posted at https://alabamanewscenter.com/2021/07/12/power-moves-william-e-bill-cooper-leads-enterprise-alabamas-city-of-progress/
Alabama celebrates opening of fifth veterans home
ENTERPRISE, Ala. — Veterans from across Alabama and the country gathered in Enterprise Friday to commemorate the opening of the state’s fifth veterans home.
The 182,000 square-foot Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in south Alabama is named after the late Adkins, a Huntsville native and U.S. Army veteran whose service in the Vietnam War saw him awarded with the Medal of Honor in 2014.
Adkins’ extended family was there Friday, as was Adkins’ son, Keith Adkins, who during an emotional speech thanked state leaders for their efforts in seeing the facility through to its completion.
“We’re very honored, as his family, for the dedication of this veterans home to his name and his legacy,” Adkins said.
The facility will house 200 residents, with 20 current residents of other veterans homes scheduled to move into the new facility on Oct. 1 and applications for residency opening later.
The home was funded roughly two-thirds by the state of Alabama, and a third from the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs, according to Brandon Miller, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson.
It was the collaboration between the city of Enterprise, the state of Alabama and the federal government, said Kent Davis, ADVA commissioner, that made the facility’s construction possible.
“This project would not have happened without the incredible daily contributions and partnership from local, state and federal officials,” Davis said. “All those stories you hear about government agencies not being able to partner and get along, look behind me. There’s an example of what can happen when all of those entities work together.”
The project first began in 2018 after the ADVA Board, acknowledging the long waiting list for the state’s existing four veterans homes, commissioned a feasibility study for a fifth home.
“We had such a long waiting list for so long in this state when we had four homes,” Tony Berenotto, ADVA Board member, told Alabama Daily News. “The fourth home filled up so fast, and I suspect this one will fill up really fast as well.”
After the feasibility study supported the construction of a fifth home in the Wiregrass region, the site was selected in early 2020, the name of the facility chosen in 2021, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held in June of 2022.
Some of those who attended Friday’s ceremony knew Adkins personally, including Michael Rose, a retired U.S. Army Captain and fellow Medal of Honor recipient who was the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
Davis, who had also met Adkins before his death, introduced Rose, telling attendees of his service during Operation Tailwind, a 1970 covert operation during the Vietnam War in Laos.
“Rose treated 60 to 70 wounded personnel for four days under nearly continuous enemy fire,” Davis said. “For his actions during the four-day engagement, he was indeed awarded a Medal of Honor.”
Rose, who had been sitting next to Adkins’ son, took the podium to share a few words of the new veterans home.
“This facility is something that says to the world that the people of the state of Alabama care about our veterans, and care about the things that they have done, the losses they have,” Rose said. “This is number five, and god willing, there’ll be six, seven, eight, nine and ten or more.”
Enterprise Mayor William Cooper had also played a large role in seeing the project through to its completion, and noted during the ceremony that many of the facility’s residents, like Rose, would be Vietnam War veterans. As of late 2023, there are just over 100,000 living WWII veterans compared to well over 6 million Vietnam War veterans.
“Many of you have heard stories about the Greatest Generation; the men and women who will live here are the ones who came after them, and are often called the Silent Generation,” Cooper said.
“Let us be their voice, let us share their stories, let us be the one to ensure no one ever forgets the service and sacrifice of these brave men and women.”
The celebration Friday came after months of controversy within the state veterans department. Davis agreed earlier in the week to resign as commissioner, effective the end of the year, at the request of Gov. Kay Ivey. The governor cited examples of mishandling funding requests and conflict with other agency heads when she asked Davis to step down.
Original Article Posted at https://aldailynews.com/alabama-celebrates-opening-of-fifth-veterans-home/
Dothan-based hose company sister plant opens in Enterprise
Within the last year, a sister company of a Dothan-based industrial hose company opened a plant in Enterprise.
On Friday, the company management held a tour of the facility for local officials and the media.
Key Industrial Hose (KIH) set up a plant inside an old textile factory at the South Industrial Park in Enterprise.
KIH helps with fire, flood, and drought suppression. The company can customize industrial hose solutions for disaster relief and recovery from a manmade or natural disaster.
“Everything from the U.S. Corp of Engineers through distribution. Multiple governments, municipalities, the U.S. Government large clients,” says Vice President of KIH Ron Ugalde.
KIH is a spin-off company for Key Hose based in Dothan. Key Hose has a total of around 200 employees at its facilities on Highway 52 East and Cottonwood.
“Take that next step, communicate with the public that such an industry does exist here and talk about employment and the need for growth,” says Wiregrass Economic Development Jesse Quillen.
Enterprise Mayor William Cooper says it’s good to know that these hoses shipped around the world are manufactured right here in his city, Enterprise.
“From hurricane relief to helping our military, fire suppression. KIH provides solutions to problems faced around the world everyday,” says Mayor Cooper.
Key industrial hose/www.Kihllc.Com
K.I.H. says it needs dedicated men and women to work for them, If you’re interested, go to Key Industrial Hose at www.Kihllc.com.
The big topic at the Pike Road Town Council meeting tonight – economic development. The majority of people who live in Pike Road work elsewhere, and town leaders would like to change that. A decision by the Pike Road Town Council tonight moves plans for a new economic development park forward.
The council unanimously approved the annexation of about 36 acres on Troy Highway into Pike Road, and it will now become a complex where businesses can locate. This will be the town’s first economic development park, and tonight was about the procedural aspect of moving forward with the land and getting the land in Pike Road’s name. Right now the town’s biggest employers are the Pike Road School System and TK Electric.
Mayor Gordon Stone tells Action 8 News that this economic development park has been in the works for about two years. He says right now they’re focused on recruiting smaller industrial projects, but that could change in the future.
“Pike Road’s vision from the first day was not to be just a bedroom community. Our vision has always been holistic. It has been about trying to put together a plan that provides services that people need, that provides quality of life that people want, that provides jobs that people can be fulfilled with, and that provides education in a way that people can see their dreams come true. This opportunity that we’re seeing with this economic development park is another step forward in that holistic approach that makes a town its own,” said Mayor Stone.
According to Mayor Stone, they already have their first tenant. The types of businesses they’re expecting will locate there could range from real estate agencies to professional and support services or even tech businesses. More information about the exact plans for the complex will be presented in the coming weeks.
Original article posted at Dothan-based hose company sister plant opens in Enterprise | WDHN – wdhn.com
Enterprise’s marvelously musical Mayor Cooper
The men and women we vote on to run our cities and towns—mayors play an active role not just in local politics but in the lives of the citizens they serve.
Enterprise’s marvelously musical Mayor Cooper uses his personal passion to give back to the community.
The sound of music radiates out of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Inside, you’ll find Mayor William Cooper—not fulfilling mayoral duties but leading the church choir.
His passion for music isn’t anything new.
“When I was in about the fourth grade is when I first learned how to play the trumpet,” Mayor Cooper said. “And, of course, I stayed with the trumpet.”
The beauty of making music of his own inspired Cooper to pass that love on to his family—his son and grandson are in the church choir with him—and by teaching.
“This started back in 1962 when he first came to Enterprise,” Reverend J. Henry Williams explained. “He’s an astute music teacher. He loves music.”
When Reverend Williams joined the church in the 90′s he asked Cooper to lend his expertise to the choir, and the rest is history.
Between mayoral duties and sheet music, Cooper said he finds solace through the reason for the season.
“I love the Lord and He made a way for me,” Cooper said. “And being in the church and doing what I’m doing, I enjoy this and I get comfort out of directing and reading the music.”
Cooper’s impact on the choir and entire church is felt through each foot tap, clap, and high note.
“We’ve been running together for a long time. I’ve been here 28 years and he was here when I got here,” Williams said of Cooper. “So, he’s been nothing but an asset to the music department.”
You might be asking—how does Mayor Cooper do it?
“You have to plan it,” Cooper said. “You have to plan your time, pace yourself, get a little rest, but in the meantime do as well as you can with what you are doing.
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is putting on its first Christmas Concert since the pandemic. It’s Sunday, December 1st at 3 p.m.
Original article posted Enterprise’s marvelously musical Mayor Cooper
Meet Mayor Cooper
In 2017, after serving more than 28 years as a city councilman, William E. (Bill) Cooper became the mayor of the City of Enterprise. The Enterprise City Council chamber was packed on the historic night of May 16, 2017, as Cooper was sworn in by Judge Paul Sherling.
Mayor Cooper, the former council president, was sworn in following the resignation of former Mayor Kenneth Boswell, who left the office to take an appointment by Governor Kay Ivey as the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. He looks back on the ceremony with pride and appreciation for the support from family, friends and the people of Enterprise.
Mayor Cooper graduated from Alabama State University with degrees in education and music education. He also holds a Master of Music Education degree and a Music Education Administration and Supervision degree. He is known by thousands of young people who attended Enterprise City Schools as the band director at Coppinville Junior High School, where he served for 43 years.
