CENTRE– Centre Mayor Jay Howell attended the Alabama Association of Regional Councils Annual Training Conference in Montgomery, joining discussions with leaders from across Alabama.
The association scheduled its 2026 conference for Oct. 11–14 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center.
In a message about the visit, Howell thanked the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for the invitation. He also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in informative discussions with leaders from throughout the state.
A local connection provided another highlight: hearing from Martin Houston, a Centre native and member of Alabama’s 1992 national championship football team.
Regional Partnerships With Local Reach
The conference connects to a statewide network of 12 regional councils serving Alabama’s cities and counties. Together, those councils work through the association to strengthen their ability to serve local governments and residents.
For Centre, that regional network includes the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, based in Anniston. Its 10-county service area includes Cherokee, Etowah, and Calhoun counties, along with Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega, and Tallapoosa counties.
The commission’s work also extends from planning and transportation to economic development, mapping, hazard mitigation, and services for older adults.
In particular, its community development staff helps local governments prepare grant applications and manage awarded funding. For example, that assistance covers programs supporting community improvements, recreation, law enforcement, and fire departments.
The commission also helps prepare applications for rural community facilities and water and wastewater projects. In addition, it assists municipalities and counties with federal hazard mitigation grant applications following presidential disaster declarations.
Those services give the regional partnership a practical connection to the infrastructure, public safety, and planning needs facing local communities.
Cherokee County Connection Among the Highlights
Meanwhile, Houston’s appearance brought a familiar Cherokee County connection to the Montgomery gathering.
According to his professional biography, Houston was born in Centre and attended the University of Alabama from 1988 through 1992. He also earned a marketing degree and started at fullback for Alabama’s 1992 SEC and national championship team.
Today, his professional work includes leadership coaching, speaking, and team development. His biography also describes workshops and executive coaching designed to help organizations develop leaders and build stronger teams.
Howell singled out hearing from Houston as a special highlight of the conference, alongside the opportunity to exchange ideas with leaders across Alabama.
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