Jasper Main Street hosted the “Discover Jasper” event on Tuesday, February 24, in Montgomery, offering an opportunity to highlight the community’s vision and future opportunities to state leadership and key stakeholders.
The event featured remarks from Alabama Secretary of Workforce Greg Reed and Senator Matt Woods, who spoke about the importance of workforce readiness, collaboration, and continued investment in communities like Jasper as they prepare for future growth. Secretary Reed specifically highlighted the significant workforce development opportunities taking place in Jasper, including initiatives connected to the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation and the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center & Network, both of which are helping position the community to meet evolving industry needs.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of an official Alabama Senate resolution by Senator Matt Woods recognizing Tallulah Bankhead Putman, the beloved canine mascot of Jasper Main Street, for her unique contribution to the spirit and vitality of Downtown Jasper and her role as a cherished community ambassador. The resolution commends her presence in fostering unity, civic pride, and engagement throughout the city.
The Discover Jasper event provided valuable networking opportunities with members of the Alabama Legislature, state agency leadership, and other partners whose support and collaboration are important as Jasper continues to advance initiatives related to tourism, placemaking, workforce alignment, and community development.
Mayor Josh Gates attended the event and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with state leaders while sharing Jasper’s long-term vision for thoughtful growth and collaboration.
“Discover Jasper provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with state leadership, share the progress taking place across our community, and highlight the partnerships that are helping position Jasper for future opportunity,” said Mayor Josh Gates. “Events like this allow us to tell our story, strengthen relationships, and demonstrate our commitment to preparing our workforce, supporting quality of life, and growing in a way that benefits both our city and the broader region.”
The evening also featured the premiere of Jasper Main Street’s new commercial, which showcased the experience of visiting Jasper and reinforced ongoing efforts to promote tourism and community engagement.
Additionally, the event marked the launch of Visit Jasper Alabama, a new tourism marketing initiative that includes the website visitjasperal.com and an active social media presence. This effort will work in tandem with the upcoming opening of the Jasper Welcome Center, which will serve as a central hub for welcoming visitors, providing information on local attractions and events, and promoting everything Jasper has to offer. As the only welcome center between Birmingham and Mississippi along the I-22 corridor, the facility will play a key role in increasing tourism visibility and encouraging travelers to stop, explore, and experience the community.
“As we continue to strategically revitalize Downtown Jasper, we recognize that our success is directly tied to the prosperity of the entire City of Jasper—not just the downtown district. A thriving city center strengthens neighborhoods, supports local businesses, and enhances quality of life community-wide,” said Mike Putman, executive director of Jasper Main Street.
Our vision for this welcome center is to position Jasper as a true hub along the Interstate 22 corridor—capturing visitor traffic, promoting local assets, and serving as a gateway that connects travelers to everything our community has to offer.
By hosting the event in Montgomery during the legislative session, Jasper Main Street was able to connect directly with policymakers and agency leaders, providing greater visibility for the community and opening doors for future collaboration and support.
With a mission to preserve and enhance the historic charm and integrity of our community, Jasper Main Street encourages local spending, tourism, and a sense of community. Jasper Main Street has grown and built a diverse group of volunteers dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission. For more information about Jasper Main Street and its initiatives, please visit www.jaspermainstreet.com.
