Nestled between rolling hills and winding rivers, north Alabama’s communities offer more than places to live—they offer ways to connect, explore and grow. The Alabama League of Municipalities’ (ALM) Live Locally Alabama campaign celebrates the residents who bring these cities to life. From discovering local shops and attending seasonal festivals to volunteering at neighborhood events, everyday actions help shape vibrant, welcoming communities–precisely the spirit the campaign aims to accentuate.

As part of the Live Locally Alabama campaign, ALM is visiting municipal leaders across the state to highlight how local government works hand in hand with residents to build a sustainable, connected future. Today we visit north Alabama, where three communities—Rainbow City, Guntersville and Muscle Shoals—are demonstrating how partnerships between citizens and leaders create spaces, programs and experiences that strengthen both pride and belonging.

Learn at Alabama’s First Challenger Learning Center in Rainbow City

Nestled in northeastern Alabama, Rainbow City is a rapidly growing community that blends small-town charm with ambitious development projects. With a focus on education, recreation and strategic growth, the city has become a hub for families seeking both opportunity and quality of life.

Rainbow City Mayor Joe Taylor, an ALM board member, emphasizes early preparation for children to ensure a strong future workforce. “We found out in workforce development that we’ve got to start catching our kids a lot earlier. Fifth grade seems to be that sweet spot where we can track them in the right direction,” he said.

At the heart of this effort is the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama, a hands-on STEM facility. “I did an area study that proved the standard rule of real estate still works: location, location, location. That’s how Rainbow City won the Challenger Learning Center,” Taylor explained. The center joins a network of more than 30 across 24 states, which have reached over 6 million students. Each facility features a simulator, briefing room, transport room, mission control and a space station. The Rainbow City center will include three classrooms, initially serving middle school students, with 25–40 students per room. The goal is to have it completed by the beginning of 2026, giving students hands-on, space-themed STEM experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

The city is also experiencing robust growth through public and private investment. “Our city is growing because it needed to grow. We just got out of its way, made government run smoother and made development a priority,” he said. “We have over a hundred million dollars in private partnerships and nearly a hundred million in public funding driving projects across Rainbow City.” In the past five years, the city has added more than 50 new businesses, expanding from just three market vendors to over 20, and its population has increased by about 7% over the past decade.

Taylor sees Live Locally Alabama as a natural fit for the city’s approach to community engagement. “Even though we’re growing, we don’t have to grow apart—we can actually grow together. Live Locally helps us do that,” he said. Community markets are a key example. “We started with just a couple of vendors. Now, three days a week, 20 to 25 vendors bring our community together at City Hall Park,” shared Taylor.

Residents are encouraged to participate in city life. “We encourage people to come to city hall, attend meeting, and take part in public spaces. That’s how neighbors become community,” Taylor said. He also emphasizes smart, sustainable growth, noting that the city’s approach to education, location and quality of life is driving its economic development.

Play at Refreshed Parks and Recreation Spaces in Guntersville

Located on the picturesque shores of Guntersville Lake, Guntersville has long been known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city blends a strong sense of community with an emphasis on high-quality amenities for residents of all ages.

Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar, who served as ALM’s president from 2020-2021, has focused on amenities that enhance the quality of life for all residents. “One of the projects I’m most excited about is the splash pad. Children of all ages can use it—it’s by the lake, next to the pool, and free to the public outside of pool hours,” she said.

These upgrades were made possible through collaboration and investment as part of a larger focus on renovating the city’s parks and recreation facilities through a three-phased approach. “It took time, teamwork and a lot of money to bring these projects to life. A generous corporate donation from Pilgrim’s Pride helped us make the splash pad possible,” Dollar said. The city has also updated facilities for all generations. “Our recreational amenities serve everyone, from newborns to senior citizens. We’ve even redone our senior center, so all age groups are included,” she shared.

Dollar sees Live Locally Alabama as reinforcing the value of these investments. “Live Locally aligns perfectly with our vision. We want to provide amenities that make Guntersville enjoyable so people stay and take pride in their community,” she said.

Citizen involvement is critical to the city’s success, as engaged residents help shape the programs, parks and services that make Guntersville a thriving and vibrant community. “There are many ways to get involved: through board positions, following updates on social media, reading the newspaper or simply calling to share opinions,” she explained. “We encourage people to engage with their city. That’s what matters. We’re doing it for them, and we hope everyone enjoys these amenities.”

Shop at New Coffee Shops and Restaurants in Muscle Shoals

Situated along the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals is a cultural and economic hub in northwest Alabama, renowned for its rich music history and vibrant local businesses. The city has become a destination for music enthusiasts and families alike, where the legacy of its legendary studios meets a growing community of businesses, arts and recreational opportunities.

Muscle Shoals Mayor Mike Lockhart, an ALM board member, highlighted the role of local investment in community vitality. “Through our comprehensive plan, we had stakeholders from our community get involved, and once that plan was done, the excitement of the vision created a sense of ownership from our own people,” he said.

Small, locally owned businesses are a cornerstone of Muscle Shoals’ success. When local people invest in their own community, they are the ones that give back. “Small businesses give back to schools, to nonprofits, and that’s exciting because we’re working together to be successful as a whole,” Lockhart said.

Welcoming entrepreneurs is equally important, and the city emphasizes transparency and accessibility to make starting a business easier. This approach has injected new energy into the community. “The community has just had a buzz about new coffee shops, ice cream shops and restaurants. It’s creating gathering places where people can come together, grab lunch or get an afternoon snack with their kids,” Lockhart added.

Community engagement is encouraged through boards and public input sessions. “We’ve had meetings in our school library where over 100 people came to give input on their vision for the community. When those opportunities arise, I encourage you to be a part of that,” he said. “We have boards throughout our city, from the library to parks and recreation to utilities, and I encourage citizens to get involved. An engaged citizen always makes for a better community.”

Finally, Muscle Shoals’ unique cultural and natural assets set it apart. “We have a lot of music heritage here, and I encourage you to come visit Fame Studios. There are others in neighboring cities that are just full of rich music history,” Lockhart said. “The Tennessee River is here, we’ve got natural resources, and it’s a beautiful place to come. We’re kind of a hidden gem in northwest Alabama with a bright future.”

Rainbow City, Guntersville and Muscle Shoals demonstrate that communities thrive when residents actively participate. Local governments can build programs, parks and amenities, but it is the people who fill them with meaning and connection.

Through the Live Locally Alabama campaign, these cities show that stepping up–by volunteering, supporting local businesses or simply showing up–makes a hometown stronger and brighter. Living locally is not just about where you live; it is about how you help shape the future of your community.

For more information on the ALM Live Locally Alabama campaign, including municipal and citizen resources, visit https://almonline.org/LiveLocallyAlabama.