Bob Wills has announced his intention to seek another term as mayor of Bay Minette.

First elected to the post in 2012, Wills said there have been many improvements during his tenure and that he plans to continue building on that success.

Under Wills' leadership, the city has completed several major capital projects and infrastructure upgrades. He has also focused on recruiting industry and retail to the area.

Construction is well underway for the Novelis Corporation's aluminum plant at the Megasite, which has already employed hundreds of people during this phase and is expected to employ nearly 1,000 when complete.

Cobblestone Hotel and Big Mike's Steakhouse have announced their plans to open in Bay Minette and have begun construction of their facilities in an effort to enhance the revitalization efforts the city has undertaken in the downtown area.

"We believe these additions will act as a catalyst to bring more people to our downtown area, making it more attractive for other restaurants and retailers to locate here," Wills said.

This has been a time of tremendous growth for the city. North Baldwin Infirmary has expanded its scope of service, several industries have increased their investments in the community, and there has also been an influx of locally owned small businesses.

Wills said the private sector has been making big moves and that even more announcements are on the horizon.

"We are growing, and the landscape of Bay Minette will be changing, but we are working very hard to maintain our small-town atmosphere," Wills said

The planning commission and city staff are working to update the city's comprehensive plan, subdivision regulations and the transportation plan to help manage that growth.

"This will serve as a guide for the community's growth and development in the coming years," Wills said.

During Wills' time in office, the city has made upgrades to nearly every public park with the installation of new playground equipment, pavilion and restroom facilities, and plans are in the works for more. The city has also added amenities including sand volleyball and pickleball courts, disc golf course, splash pad, practice fields and a dog park. The city has sought and won numerous grants to help facilitate many of these upgrades.

This term has also seen the completion of the Bay Minette Justice Center, construction of new soccer fields and the addition of sidewalks along Dobson Avenue. The city has also expanded its cemetery, airport services and will soon be adding two new fire trucks.

Wills said the city enjoys a great working relationship with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, North Baldwin Utilities, the Board of Education and other civic groups, foundations and individual citizens.

"This has allowed us to make great strides in improving our quality of life in Bay Minette and all of north Baldwin County," he said. "I'm particularly proud of the growth in civic pride and overall positive attitude which we have experienced during my tenure. This is a result of the spirit of cooperation and togetherness which exists in our civic institutions, our schools, our citizens and our great City employees."

Wills has been a resident of Bay Minette for more than 50 years and has been active in community service. In addition to serving three terms on the Baldwin County Board of Education, he has served as president of the PTA at local schools and with the baseball league. He is a longtime member of the Bay Minette Rotary Club. He is also a member of the First Methodist Church of Bay Minette where he serves as a choir member and Sunday school teacher.

Married to Betty Lou Mitchell Wills, the couple has three children and nine grandchildren. He is a 1970 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor of science in economics and a graduate from Emory University School of Law in 1973. He is a lawyer, and his firm, Robert A. Wills, Attorney at Law, is based in Bay Minette.

Municipal elections across Baldwin County and the state will be held Aug. 26. Lawmakers voted in 2021 to postpone city elections, extending the terms of those elected in 2020 by one year.

Officials said the move was made to be able to hold municipal elections on an off-year from the presidential election, citing poll worker fatigue, voter confusion over voting venues and equipment shortages as reasons for the shift.