AMORY - Many people are glad that 2009 is about to move into the annals of history and a new year about to begin. In terms of prosperity and progress, most cities and counties found themselves in 2009 short on funds and trying to weather a deep-seated recession that maintained a strong grip on the entire nation throughout the year.

The city of Amory weathered the downturn well. Mayor Howard Boozer said that for a small southern rural community, Amory held its own while other places scrambled to make ends meet and even had to cut employees and services.

Amory's sales tax collections, which are a good barometer of how the municipality if faring generally, were down 1 percent for the fiscal year. The collections were still better than what the city budgeted, so in terms of funds, Amory had enough to maintain all services and personnel.

2009 also proved to be a good year in terms of economic development for the city of Amory. Monroe Gas Co. took up residence on Phillips Schoolhouse Road. The $150 million project infused funds into the economy and will continue to boost tax revenues for schools and governments. Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center completed its expansion project and its new Women's Center, a $20 million project. The Kinder-Morgan, Jamico expansion, a $13 million project at the city's port, was completed.

Several major retail projects also came about in 2009, including a new Walgreens, Sherwin Williams, the Heritage Inn hotel and Dollar Tree.

In downtown Amory, The Bend opened in a totally renovated building on North Main Street and the Park Restaurant and Hotel renovations gave the city's downtown a big facelift.

Another significant project that happened in 2009 was the construction of Lt. Col. Carter Drive, a school bus access road from Hwy. 278 West to West Amory Elementary School. This project was funded almost entirely with grants. Another project that came to fruition in November was a grant-funded upgrade of the electrical service at True Temper Sports.

Some city streets were resurfaced in 2009 and that will continue in 2010, with Earl Frye Blvd. near the hospital being top priority for paving.

A rebar steel mill, Steel Development Co., that is to be developed in the city's waterway industrial park was announced in 2009 but then plans were put on hold when the recession deepened.

Mayor Boozer said he is "extremely optimistic" about the steel mill project moving forward in 2010. "It will be our flagship project in 2010," he said. The steel mill will employ hundreds immediately in construction jobs, but when operational, it will offer about 150 to 160 good-paying jobs.

Even during the difficult economic times, the city of Amory has vigorously pursued grant monies. The city was awarded three grants to extend the city-owned rail spur that parallels the Tenn-Tom Waterway and crosses the steel mill site. Eventually, Boozer said the rail spur will also be extended under the Hwy. 278 West bridge to another large industrial site the city owns on the west side of the waterway. The city also upgraded its existing rail spur from the BNSF main line to the city's port, replacing worn rail cross ties.

"I think in 2010 we'll be well positioned to have a record year for economic growth," Boozer said. "The business side of our tax base is growing which lightens the tax load on our residents. It (the increased ad valorem taxes coming in) positions our schools well to look at construction and their needs."

One thing Mayor Boozer is really proud of is that during the tough economic times, the city enacted no tax increases on its citizens and actually put a tax decrease into effect. "I anticipate another tax decrease in 2010," Boozer said, noting that economic projects that have come on line in the past year and those that will be operational in the coming years have fueled the tax cuts.

With the MDOT four-lane highway project and the Hwy. 278 bypass project, Boozer said he sees these as other means of progress for the city. They will make Amory more accessible and easier to get to, he said.

Boozer said the important thing for city leaders in the coming year is to follow through on things that they have set out to accomplish. "Amory is positioned to be recognized as a leader in the region," Boozer said, citing such factors as great schools, incredible healthcare, and government officials who work well together without having their own individual agendas as contributing reasons for the area's success. "Our focus is the welfare and best opportunities for the people of Amory," Boozer said.