Enterprise mayor delivers state of the city address

Completing what Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell calls “the shortest questionnaire in history” is one way the city can receive more federal funding.
Census data is important to municipalities because the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities and funds are distributed based on those numbers, Boswell said during his annual “State of the City” address to Enterprise Rotarians.
Enterprise has experienced an estimated 16.53 percent growth rate since 2000, according to preliminary data released by the census bureau in July. The 2010 Census is now hiring workers and the population count is projected to start in March, Boswell said.
In the last census, Enterprise had a 64 percent response rate and Boswell said he would like to see that percentage increase. “Response helps determine the need for hospitals, roads and schools,” he said. “It establishes our representation in the legislature.”
The city was down a million dollars in sales tax in 2009, the mayor said.“But we are continuing progress during these times of economic adversity.”
Boswell reported on each city department’s accomplishments and goals, ciiting accomplishments including the new civic center, parks and recreation tournaments, upgrades to police and fire departments and making huge strides toward completing the biodiesel and sidewalk projects.
Boswell said Enterprise is in good shape going into 2010 and upgrading water and sewage systems is a top priority.  Many of those projects were made possible with $6 million in state and federal grant funding for the city, he said.
Enterprise had 48 new businesses open in 2009 and the mayor said he is hoping a multi-million-dollar allocation to Fort Rucker will mean even more jobs for the area. “A visit from the Secretary of Defense in the the spring prompted the Department of Defense to allocate almost $500 million to Fort Rucker from fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2012,” said Boswell. “The goal is to upgrade flight training programs to improve efficiency and increase annual training numbers.”
Boswell said Fort Rucker’s Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay III is committed to using local labor for the upgrade projects on the military post. The city hosted a meeting with post contracting officials and local contractors last year to outline contractor requirements. “Gen. Barclay is one of our biggest advocates,” said Boswell. “One of the best generals we’ve ever had.”
Boswell introduced city department heads and councilmen to the Rotarians. “We thank you for allowing us to serve you,” he said.“We try to spend your money like it is our own.”