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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

It is exciting to see construction happening on projects that I had previously written announcement stories about.

I first wrote about Ellianos and Starbucks coming to town last year. When initial possible open days were mentioned, they seemed so far away. Now those dates have come and gone with new dates put in their place. The construction has gotten started, and some aspects have been delayed. Construction is nearly complete, and anticipation for opening has been building in the community.

Other projects have also recently announced, including Family Dollar/ Dollar Tree coming to Maplesville and a hotel planned for Interstate 65, Exit 205.

Regardless of anyone’s feelings about these establishments, the fact remains that each of these will create more tax revenue for local governments to continue what they do for the community and potentially improve on it.

Covering budget meetings is not always the most exciting thing I will do in a week, but it gives a snapshot of how an entity is spending its tax revenue. Each of the meetings where budgets are approved by local governments are open to the public. The budget is also a public document. Sometimes it is posted on the governmental website, but it is available for viewing at the respective city hall, town hall or the courthouse upon request of the appropriate clerk.

Governmental staff often give comparisons of the previous year’s revenue and expenses to the projected budget to show where there have been increases or decreases. These comparisons can help to show trends in costs that have gone up or trends in what the governing body has prioritized.

While spending for roads may be what is most easily seen by county residents, it is just a small piece of the budget that local governments have to plan for each year.

The less visual expenses are no less important to keeping the community going than the  morevisual ones.

Not all community progress is as easy to spot as a new building, but these construction projects do help boost the excitement level for many in the community.