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University graduate urges Chilton County to create paid internship program; commissioners express support ahead of budget talks
Summary
A recent university graduate asked the Commission to include a county internship program in next year's budget to give students paid local work experience; commissioners asked for applicant estimates and noted grant possibilities.
A University of Montevallo graduate urged the Commission to create a paid county internship program to give local students workplace experience and help the county accomplish projects during the summer.
Samantha Cost, who identified herself as a recent University of Montevallo graduate, told commissioners that internships are scarce in South Central Alabama and that a county program — modeled on an initiative in nearby Shelby County — could help retain young professionals and complete county projects. Cost suggested a temporary 10‑week position paying $15 an hour for 30 hours per week as an illustrative cost (she calculated that rate at $4,500 per intern) and said Shelby County ran a similar program with five interns in its first year.
"This investment into young professionals in Chilton County is well worth it," Cost said, urging the Commission to consider an internship line as the county prepares its next budget. Commissioners responded favorably and asked Cost to return with an estimate of how many students would participate so they could consider funding in the budget process. One commissioner asked whether grants were available to offset costs; Cost said she would research grant opportunities.
No formal action was taken at the work session; commissioners asked staff to consider the request during upcoming budget deliberations and to accept a follow‑up report from Cost with participation numbers and potential grant sources.
