Mayor Craig Ford said he participated in advocacy meetings in Montgomery with state and higher-education officials and has been pursuing economic development opportunities, some under non-disclosure agreements.

"We visited with finance director Bill Poole, DECA chairman, Boswell. We had talked to, the chancellor of the 2 year school, Jimmy Baker," Ford said, describing outreach in Montgomery and meetings with state and education officials. He said the city has "signed off numerous NDAs" and is pursuing expansions at airport sites, former steel plant properties and other industrial sites.

Ford also announced plans for four new "Welcome to Gadsden" signs — two on U.S. 411 and two on U.S. 431 — designed by an architect, to be lit and set off the rights-of-way; he said the city is purchasing small parcels where necessary. He promoted two upcoming ribbon-cutting events, including one at the Nokalula Fire Station, and said details will be posted on city channels.

Ford said bringing jobs to Gadsden is a priority and that recruitment and site packaging take time: "We've signed off, numerous NDAs. Those are non disclosures, which I can't talk about. But I can tell you we got a lot of things on the horizon."