Jackson County Commission Chairman Bill Nance recently highlighted Jackson County Senior Services, a $20 million road program and county growth during his mid-year update.
Nance says the county is experiencing one of the busiest periods in its recent history, with major investments underway in road infrastructure, expanded services for senior citizens, economic development initiatives and improvements to county government operations.
During a recent interview with The Clarion, Nance outlined the commission’s accomplishments during the first half of 2026 while discussing projects that will continue shaping Jackson County for years to come.
“Our goal is to continue improving the quality of life for the people of Jackson County,” Nance said.
“Whether that’s through better roads, expanded services for seniors, or preparing for future economic growth, we’re trying to make decisions that will benefit our communities for the long term.”
While road projects often receive the most public attention, Nance said one of the county’s greatest success stories continues to be the Jackson County Council on Aging.
The county operates six senior centers located in Bridgeport, Bryant, Paint Rock, Pisgah, Scottsboro and Stevenson.
Together, those centers welcome between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors each year, providing meals, fellowship, wellness activities and vital support services.
Approximately 9,000 meals are served every month, with hot meals available daily at each center.
In addition, home-delivered meals ensure seniors who are homebound because of illness or other circumstances continue receiving nutritious meals.
Transportation remains one of the Council on Aging’s most valuable services.
Already this year, the program has provided transportation for more than 12,000 residents, taking citizens to work, medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores and other essential destinations before safely returning them home.
The Council on Aging also offers programs that help seniors navigate Medicare and prescription drug plans.
Through its SenioRx program, staff helped Jackson County residents save more than $1.1 million on prescription medications last year by identifying lower-cost alternatives.
More than 300 seniors also received assistance changing insurance plans, resulting in an estimated $200,000 in annual savings.
Beyond those services, the Council on Aging provided outreach and assistance to more than 10,000 county residents, connecting seniors with wheelchair ramp construction, housekeeping assistance, utility bill assistance, medical information, scam awareness education, technology assistance and other community resources.
The Council on Aging receives approximately $154,000 annually from TARCOG to assist with administration of its programs.
“I don’t always spend enough time talking about what our Council on Aging does,” Nance said.
“They’re doing a tremendous job supporting our seniors throughout Jackson County.”
Throughout the week residents can also enjoy yoga, tai chi, bingo, line dancing and other fun activities at Jackson County Senior Centers.
Nance also spoke regarding one of the Commission’s largest investments:
infrastructure.
This year, commissioners approved approximately 15 miles of local road resurfacing throughout Jackson County.
Rather than resurfacing only shorter roads, the county is strategically addressing the worst sections of longer roadways first, allowing available funding to improve the greatest number of problem areas.
Among the roads scheduled for resurfacing are portions of County Roads 91, 75, 33, 30, 18, 107, 184, 284, 456, 765 and 766 across multiple commission districts.
Nance said commissioners have worked together to maximize available paving funds, including combining allocations to improve longer stretches of heavily traveled roads.
One of the county’s largest infrastructure projects, a $20 million investment to rebuild dangerous roads, is now entering its engineering phase.
Jackson County has received a $16 million Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Combined with the county’s required 20 percent local match, the initiative represents a $20 million investment in road safety.
The five-year project will rebuild approximately 35 miles of nine county roads identified as having the highest rates of crashes involving injuries or fatalities. Engineering work is currently underway before construction begins.
Planned improvements include clearing vegetation to improve visibility, replacing and extending drainage structures, widening roadways, resurfacing pavement, adding paved shoulders, installing rumble strips, reflective pavement markers and new center and edge striping.
“When this project is complete, we’ll have wider, safer roads that should significantly reduce serious accidents,” Nance said.
Nance also provided an update on County Road 93, the final roadway affected by the major slope failures that occurred in 2019.
Since 2020, Jackson County has repaired four roads damaged by those failures, beginning with County Road 17, followed by County Road 189, County Road 38 at Langston Gap and finally County Road 93.
Crews have completed reconstruction of all three slope failures on County Road 93 while replacing drainage structures along the approximately 2.5-mile corridor from the mountaintop to its intersection with County Road 91.
The next phase will include paving the entire roadway and installing guardrails where needed to improve safety.
Another major transportation project will improve access to one of Jackson County’s most visited outdoor destinations, Buck’s Pocket.
The Alabama Department of Transportation awarded Jackson County funding to repair and resurface County Road 452 from the brow of Sand Mountain into Buck’s Pocket State Park.
Engineering design has been completed, and the county is preparing to begin road work before resurfacing the roadway.
Nance said the new Jackson County Courthouse Annex has operated successfully since opening on January 5 and is now fully operational.
Located at the intersection of Liberty Lane and Freedom Street in Scottsboro, the annex now houses nearly all county administrative services previously located inside the historic courthouse.
Departments now operating from the annex include the Revenue Commission (tags and titles, property taxes, mapping and appraisal), the Probate Office (driver’s license renewal, deed recording, marriage licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, business licenses), the Jackson County Extension Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency driver’s testing office and the Community Action Office.
Nance noted that many residents still travel to the courthouse out of habit and encouraged citizens needing administrative services to visit the annex.
Jackson County recently welcomed Margaret Turner as its new county administrator.
A Scottsboro resident, Turner brings extensive experience in budget management, strategic planning and organizational leadership.
Most recently, she worked with NASA’s Space Launch System program, a key component of the Artemis mission that successfully completed its historic trip around the moon.
“We’re excited to have Mrs. Turner join our commission team,” Nance said. “She has an outstanding background in budgeting and managing large organizations.”
Jackson County has officially opened a river port at the State Docks in Bridgeport following recommendations contained in the county’s Resiliency Plan.
The new port is expected to benefit both agriculture and industry by reducing transportation costs for farmers while creating additional opportunities for manufacturing and industrial development throughout Jackson County.
Nance said access to river transportation will strengthen Jackson County’s competitive position as North Alabama continues experiencing rapid growth.
Nance concluded by congratulating recently elected county officials, including Sheriff-elect Craig Holcomb, Commissioner Chris Gulley, Commissioner Paul Kennamer and Coroner John David Jordan.
He also thanked Jackson County voters for the opportunity to continue serving another term as commission chairman.
“Jackson County has tremendous opportunities ahead,” Nance said. “With the growth taking place across North Alabama and by continuing to work together, I believe our best days are still ahead.”
by Heather Dohring
