Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
Last week, Jasper played host to small business leaders and downtown advocates from across the state as Main Street Alabama held its annual LAB Conference in the city’s historic downtown.
The three-day gathering, which focuses on downtown revitalization and economic development, concluded with the inaugural Alabama Bright Ideas Pitch Competition, better known as AL-Spark, held at Jasper City Hall.
This year’s top honor went to Creations Galore and Moore, a bakery and ice cream shop in Calera, which received a $25,000 grant to expand its courtyard into a multi-use space with a greenhouse, launch mobile units, and enhance its educational farm-to-table experiences.
Jasper’s own Trolley on Main also earned recognition on the statewide stage. As one of five finalists, business owner Iris Jarvis presented her vision of becoming an “experience-first” community brand, rooted in storytelling, themed rides, and creative partnerships. Jarvis’s pitch outlined plans to become ADA compliant, add more air conditioning to the trolley, create a social space for evening riders, and boost marketing to make Jasper a year-round destination.
“When we started Trolley on Main in 2022, our goal was to become bigger, safer, and more inclusive with every year. Our initial grant helped us work toward becoming ADA compliant, and that’s something we’re still working toward. It is a very intricate process to retrofit this vintage trolley in a safe, structural way, and that work is set to begin this fall,” said Jarvis. “We love partnering with local organizations like the Walker County Arts Alliance and Jasper Main Street. The power of partnership has fueled Trolley on Main.”
While the grand prize went to Calera, Trolley on Main was named a runner-up and honorable mention, receiving $1,500 to continue building momentum.
AL-Spark is a Main Street Alabama initiative designed to energize emerging and growing businesses in designated districts across the state. Since its launch, the program has awarded over 200 Illuminate grants and dozens of local and regional Bright Ideas winners, providing small businesses with practical resources, visibility, and financial support.
Hosting the 2025 LAB Conference put Jasper’s revitalization efforts in the spotlight. Downtown leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders attended workshops on technology, branding, and economic development while experiencing firsthand the city’s progress in reinvestment and identity.
“Hosting the 2025 Main Street Alabama LAB Conference in Downtown Jasper was a perfect way to celebrate Jasper Main Street’s 10th anniversary as a designated Main Street city and a proud moment for our community, said Mike Putman, JMS Executive Director. “Bringing leaders from across the state here to Jasper allowed us to showcase our decade of growth, reinvestment, community pride and vision for the future. We are especially proud of Trolley on Main for representing Jasper on the statewide stage. Their creativity, resilience, and commitment to inclusivity embody the spirit of what makes our downtown thrive.” WL
