Press Release

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 

MOBILE, AL – The Alabama League of Municipalities announced the Alabama Communities of Excellence 2027 Class and 2026 STAR Award recipients at its annual graduation and awards ceremonies on October 20, 2026 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

ACE was established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to provide technical assistance to select communities with populations ranging from 2,000 to 18,000 in an effort to strengthen long-term economic success. Through a comprehensive, three-phase approach, ACE uses the collective expertise of its partner organizations — ranging from state agencies and associations to banks, utilities, universities and others — to foster unique community development programs. 

ACE selected the cities of Adamsville, Clanton and Tarrant for the 2027 class. They are beginning phase one of the designation process to become ACE communities.

“I am excited to have the cities of Adamsville, Clanton and Tarrant join our ACE program to put their communities in a position to become better equipped for growth and strategic planning,” ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran said. “Under the purview of the Alabama League of Municipalities, this year marks 24 years of ACE providing the resources and knowledge for small communities across the state to focus on the importance of planning, leadership development and broad-based community engagement.”  

It typically takes a community two to three years to reach the ACE designation. Community leaders are provided with training and workshops to develop vision and mission statements, implementation strategies and a sustainable leadership development program. ACE assigns each community with a team of experts from the ACE Associates Council that guide them with an implementation strategy as they work through the program. A total of 47 communities have achieved the ACE designation.

During the awards program, the League also presented its annual ACE STAR Awards. These awards acknowledge ACE advisory board members, ambassadors, community participants and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in assisting the organization and the communities they serve.

“We are proud to recognize three outstanding leaders as the recipients of the 2026 Alabama Communities of Excellence STAR Awards - Mayor Ralph Hellmich, Mayor Josh Gates and Councilmember Jennifer Williams Smith,” Cochran shared. “Each of them has dedicated countless hours assisting their communities take advantage of the educational and comprehensive resources the ACE program provides, and we wish them much success.”

ACE STAR Award Recipients for 2026 include: 

• 2026 Outstanding ACE Leadership – Councilmember Jennifer Williams Smith of Jasper
  Since her election to the Jasper City Council in 2012, Councilmember Williams Smith has championed projects that strengthen quality of life, including the revival of the Foothills Festival, which has grown into a beloved regional event that celebrates Jasper and supports local businesses. She also founded dreamFIT, an adaptive dance program that has enriched the lives of children with special needs and their families through inclusion, friendship and confidence. Through her work with the Literacy Council of Central Alabama and her service in leadership roles across the state, including serving on the ALM Board of Directors, Councilmember Williams Smith continues to create opportunities, build partnerships and bring valuable resources back to her hometown.


• 2026 Outstanding ACE Mayor - Mayor Ralph Hellmich of Foley
  Mayor Hellmich has helped guide Foley through one of the most remarkable periods of growth in its history while staying true to the values at the heart of the Alabama Communities of Excellence program. A longtime champion of the ACE philosophy, he played a role in Foley’s original ACE journey in 2209 as a city councilmember and continues to lead with a focus on strategic planning, collaboration and quality of life as mayor. Under his leadership, Foley has embraced growth by making thoughtful investments in infrastructure, public safety, education, economic development, recreation and community amenities that will benefit residents for generations to come. Mayor Hellmich is also an ALM board member.


• 2026 Outstanding ACE Mayor - Mayor Josh Gates of Jasper
  Mayor Gates has brought energy, vision and a strong belief in Jasper’s future to every aspect of his service as mayor. He has championed efforts that strengthen infrastructure, grow economic opportunity, revitalize downtown, enhance public safety, expand recreation and tourism, and create a higher quality of life for residents. Mayor Gates has built partnerships with schools, businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and civic leaders, bringing people together around a shared vision for Jasper’s success. His leadership has been especially evident through the development of FOCUS 2030, a community-driven strategic plan designed to guide Jasper’s growth for years to come.
  
  For more information about ACE, visit www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org or contact Mary Jackson Pollard, ALM director of professional and community development, here.