Foley is gearing up for a major year of development, as the city plans more than $85 million in capital projects to meet the needs of one of Alabama's fastest-growing communities.

Foley City Council approved the 2025 fiscal year budget on Sept. 3, outlining infrastructure expansions and improvements aimed at addressing rapid growth in the area.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich emphasized the importance of these initiatives, noting that Foley has seen steady growth over the past few years.

"We started in '21, recognizing the growth around our area — because people love Foley and they love South Baldwin," Hellmich said. "So, we are very aggressive, passing a budget that has another record number of capital works projects that includes parks, infrastructure and roads."

Among the largest projects in the upcoming year is expected to break ground in January, According to City Administrator Mike Thompson.

"The biggest item is the new library-community center. That's about a $20 million to $22 million project. We anticipate that will break ground in January," Thompson said. "We have a nature preserve land acquisition. A good bit of this is through grants. It's about $14.9 million for additional acreage that we could put into the Graham Creek Preserve."

Foley will receive nearly $40 million in grants and bond revenue to fund various projects, including $2 million for the new library secured through U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl. Additional projects include the completion of the Public Works Department campus, budgeted at $16 million, and the acquisition of property for a future industrial park at a cost of $5 million.

In total, the budget also allocates $4.7 million for improvements to the Foley Beach Express and $5.8 million for a safe room to shelter first responders during hurricanes or other disasters. The city will also invest in essential services, with $1.1 million earmarked for renovations to Fire Station No. 1, $1 million for sidewalk improvements and $1.3 million for road resurfacing.

Beyond construction, the city has set aside $4.9 million for capital purchases, including new equipment for the Sanitation Department, 10 police vehicles and trucks for the Street Department.

Thompson reported that the city exceeded revenue expectations for the current fiscal year, with projections initially set at $63.7 million. The final total is expected to reach $71.2 million by the end of September. The new budget estimates $72.5 million in revenue, bolstered by the anticipated opening of several major businesses in Foley.

While revenues surged, expenses remained close to budget projections, finishing the year at $54 million, positioning Foley to continue its upward growth trajectory while maintaining financial stability.