• Newspaper
  • Community

  • History

    During a time when most newspapers were scaling back their operations, Alabaster, Shelby County’s largest city, enjoyed the launch of its very own, hyper-local community newspaper. Community residents quickly embraced the Alabaster Reporter, which today boasts a penetration exceeding 60 percent of the city’s market and continues to grow in its influence, both with its print edition, Web site and daily news email.

    Goals

    The Alabaster Reporter and its employees strive to:

    • Produce exciting, top-quality news stories focusing on people and events that affect Alabaster;
    • Go the extra mile to meet the needs of its advertisers;
    • Report news accurately and without bias;
    • Edit and publish with integrity and with the best interest of its community in mind;
    • Operate at a profit level that allows employees to be fairly compensated, allows the company to reinvest in its community and to stand independent of outside influences;
    • Take an active leadership role in its community;
    • Do what they say they will do;
    • Treat their readers, advertisers and employees as they would like to be treated themselves.

    Circulation

    The Alabaster Reporter is published weekly on Saturdays, and has a wide readership across Alabaster. It is available for free at more than 200 locations throughout the city.

    Internet presence

    www.alabasterreporter.com. The Reporter’s online home — alabasterreporter.com — is a 24/7 news engine for Alabaster.

    Community involvement

    The Alabaster Reporter leads by example in its community. It is actively involved with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The Reporter is a major sponsor of Leadership Shelby County, and many of its employees have gone through the program and graduated. The Reporter works with students at Thompson High School in Alabaster to produce their student newspaper, and many of its employees are active in local civic organizations, charitable groups and local churches.

  • Geographic location

    Alabaster is located in the western portion of Shelby County, adjacent to Helena, Pelham, Montevallo and Calera. Major highways that go through Alabaster include Interstate 65, U.S. Highway 31 and Alabama Highway 119.

    Market

    The commercial retail market leads a growing market in Alabaster. In recent years, major retailers, hotels and restaurants have opened locations in Alabaster, drawing customers from nearly every part of Shelby County. Alabaster is also home to several major lime, cement and rock quarry operations, the Shelby West Corporate Park and the Shelby County Airport.

    Population

    2008 Census estimates put Alabaster’s population at 29,352, an increase of 99.2% since 1990.

    Climate

    Alabaster experiences a typical Southern climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters.

    Major employers

    Some of the larger employers in Alabaster include the Shelby County School System, Shelby Baptist Medical Center, Walmart, Dravo Basic Material, Specification Rubber and DeShazo Crane.

    Education

    Alabaster is served by the Shelby County School System. There are two elementary schools, one intermediate school, a sixth-grade campus, a middle school and a high school in Alabaster that are part of this system. Kingwood Christian School is a private K12 school that operates in Alabaster and is affiliated with Kingwood Church of God. Alabaster is within 30 minutes of several post-secondary schools, including the University of Montevallo, UAB, Samford University, Jefferson State Community College and Southeastern Bible College.

    History

    Many small communities were thriving in the area of present-day Alabaster in the late 1800s, including Elliottsville, Saginaw, Siluria and Longview. The community of Alabaster appeared on the map around 1925, named after the Alabaster Lime Company, and incorporated on February 23, 1953. Over the course of its history, growth has been a hallmark, including the construction of the county’s only hospital, the construction of Interstate 65 and the recent growth of commercial and industrial areas.

    Culture

    Located in the Birmingham MSA, Alabaster residents enjoy a wealth of cultural opportunities in and around Birmingham. Many cultural groups in Birmingham actively reach out to Alabaster to offer its residents even more opportunities. Many arts groups call Alabaster home, including the South City Theatre.

    Recreation

    Alabaster offers its residents a robust sports league, and residents enjoy many local parks. Veterans Park, located on Highway 119, is host to many regional and national softball, baseball and soccer tournaments. Alabaster is also located only a few miles south of Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park.

    Area information

    Alabaster is served by the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce:
    shelbychamber.org
    205.663.4542

    The Alabaster Industrial Development Board is a good resource for any business looking to locate in Alabaster:
    cityofalabaster.com
    205.664.6800