1 00:00:05,110 --> 00:00:09,610 S1: From the Enjoy Hoover Studios. This is the Enjoy Hoover Podcast, 2 00:00:09,610 --> 00:00:13,210 S1: your monthly guide to news and exciting events, all with 3 00:00:13,210 --> 00:00:17,079 S1: big city style. With a small town feel. Everyone is 4 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:21,070 S1: welcome here to our small, enticing piece of Alabama. So 5 00:00:21,070 --> 00:00:23,320 S1: welcome you all to enjoy Hoover! 6 00:00:23,350 --> 00:00:26,830 S2: Hello and welcome to the Enjoy Hoover podcast I'm Melissa Carter. 7 00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:29,980 S2: Coming up we have an interview with mayor Frank Bernardo. 8 00:00:29,980 --> 00:00:32,740 S2: But first let's check out what's happening in Hoover this month. 9 00:00:32,740 --> 00:00:37,120 S2: From sporting tournaments to community celebrations, there's something for everyone 10 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:40,480 S2: now kicking off March, don't miss the indoor pickleball tournament 11 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:42,970 S2: at the Finley Center on March 2nd and third. Now 12 00:00:42,970 --> 00:00:45,160 S2: we're going to talk about that more here soon. And 13 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,400 S2: on March 2nd, join the 25th annual Arbor Day celebration 14 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:52,450 S2: at Aldridge Gardens with tree giveaways, a formal ceremony, and 15 00:00:52,450 --> 00:00:56,080 S2: fun activities for kids. It's a day to connect with nature. 16 00:00:56,710 --> 00:00:59,290 S2: Looking to lend a hand will drop by the Helping 17 00:00:59,290 --> 00:01:03,760 S2: Hands volunteer session at the Hoover Public Library on March 11th. Role. 18 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,760 S2: Newspapers for the local humane society and make a difference 19 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:10,090 S2: in your community. Plus, mark your calendars for the Spring 20 00:01:10,090 --> 00:01:14,440 S2: Festival at Riverchase Baptist on March 16th. Egg hunts, games 21 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:18,009 S2: and food trucks await, making it a day of family fun. Now, 22 00:01:18,010 --> 00:01:20,320 S2: if you want to learn about public safety, head to 23 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:23,440 S2: the Hoover Public Safety Night out on March 19th at 24 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:27,580 S2: the Riverchase Galleria. Meet local officers, enjoy activities and learn 25 00:01:27,580 --> 00:01:31,630 S2: valuable tips for staying safe. Music lovers, don't miss Mac 26 00:01:31,630 --> 00:01:34,990 S2: McAnally with Eric Darken at the Hoover Public Library on 27 00:01:34,990 --> 00:01:38,920 S2: March 21st and 22nd. Get your tickets for an unforgettable 28 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,060 S2: evening of music, and finally, hop on over to Bluff 29 00:01:43,060 --> 00:01:46,660 S2: Park United Methodist Church on March 23rd for a community 30 00:01:46,660 --> 00:01:50,170 S2: Easter egg hunt with thousands of eggs, photos with the 31 00:01:50,170 --> 00:01:54,130 S2: Easter Bunny, and more. It's an exciting event. Get it 32 00:01:54,130 --> 00:01:56,800 S2: for the whole family and looking on to April if 33 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,170 S2: you're ready to run the high country. Five K in 34 00:01:59,170 --> 00:02:02,830 S2: Bluff Park, hosted by Shades Crest Baptist Church, is on Saturday, 35 00:02:02,830 --> 00:02:06,010 S2: April 6th. Register now to run or walk this annual 36 00:02:06,010 --> 00:02:11,320 S2: race by visiting run Sign-Up. Com now let's talk pickleball, 37 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,549 S2: the quirky sport that's sweeping the nation originated in 1965 38 00:02:15,550 --> 00:02:18,700 S2: as a backyard pastime. It's now making waves as a 39 00:02:18,700 --> 00:02:21,910 S2: beloved activity for all ages. And if you're curious to 40 00:02:21,910 --> 00:02:25,000 S2: join the fun, mark your calendars for the indoor pickleball 41 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:28,900 S2: tournament happening at the Findlay Center on March 2nd and third. Now, 42 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:31,450 S2: whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event 43 00:02:31,450 --> 00:02:36,070 S2: promises excitement for everyone. Lisa Fair, the event manager, underscores 44 00:02:36,070 --> 00:02:40,270 S2: the inclusivity of the tournament, welcoming players of all skill levels. 45 00:02:40,270 --> 00:02:43,090 S2: With men's and women's doubles kicking off Saturday morning at 46 00:02:43,090 --> 00:02:46,570 S2: nine and mixed doubles following suit on Sunday. There's something 47 00:02:46,570 --> 00:02:50,560 S2: for everyone. Plus, with a double elimination format and guaranteed 48 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,220 S2: three games per player, the tournament ensures a thrilling experience 49 00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:58,060 S2: for participants and spectators alike. And with ample parking and 50 00:02:58,060 --> 00:03:01,510 S2: easy access from I-4. 59 getting there is a breeze. 51 00:03:01,510 --> 00:03:04,600 S2: Not to mention the added perk of an indoor venue 52 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,980 S2: offering shelter from unpredictable weather. Registration is open with fees 53 00:03:08,980 --> 00:03:12,730 S2: covering entry, player gifts and even a catered lunch by Culver's. 54 00:03:12,730 --> 00:03:15,880 S2: So whether you're a pickleball pro or a curious newcomer, 55 00:03:15,910 --> 00:03:19,870 S2: don't miss out on the action. Visit Hoover Met complex.com 56 00:03:19,870 --> 00:03:24,850 S2: for more details. From the cherished memories of her grandparents 57 00:03:24,850 --> 00:03:28,839 S2: kitchen to the bustling world of entrepreneurship, Ramsey Nuss journey 58 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,560 S2: is a testament to the power and connection of collaboration. 59 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:36,220 S2: Growing up in the esteemed Purcell Farms family business, Nuss 60 00:03:36,220 --> 00:03:39,940 S2: was steeped in the values of community and meaningful interactions. 61 00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:42,310 S2: Now she's bringing that ethos to life with the all 62 00:03:42,310 --> 00:03:46,660 S2: new Bluff Park Coffee Collective. Nuss owns Good Neighbor Baking 63 00:03:46,660 --> 00:03:49,630 S2: and is partnering with Dazzle Coffee to open a storefront 64 00:03:49,630 --> 00:03:53,170 S2: called Bluff Park Coffee Collective. But it's not just about business, 65 00:03:53,170 --> 00:03:57,700 S2: it's about relationships. Nelson's collaboration with Diesel Coffee stemmed from 66 00:03:57,700 --> 00:04:00,640 S2: a desire to expand her baking business while maintaining that 67 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:04,720 S2: personal touch ness goal not to win accolades, but to 68 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,590 S2: leave a lasting impression through her character and her creations. 69 00:04:08,590 --> 00:04:11,080 S2: The Bluff Park Coffee Collective is set to open by 70 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,740 S2: early spring, with hours from Tuesday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. 71 00:04:14,740 --> 00:04:18,490 S2: to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. 72 00:04:18,490 --> 00:04:20,650 S2: For all the latest updates and specials, follow them on 73 00:04:20,650 --> 00:04:24,520 S2: Instagram at these three accounts at BP Coffee Collective, at 74 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:28,240 S2: Dazzle Coffee Lab and at Good Neighbor Baking. Coming up, 75 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,420 S2: our interview with mayor Frank Mercato after this. 76 00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:34,450 S3: If you live and play in Bluff Park, you know 77 00:04:34,450 --> 00:04:37,990 S3: it's a special community. GMC media is proud to announce 78 00:04:37,990 --> 00:04:41,800 S3: its newest magazine, The Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader. This bimonthly 79 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,700 S3: magazine is full of community news, information, photos, stories, and more, 80 00:04:45,700 --> 00:04:48,969 S3: mailed every other month to homes and businesses in Bluff Park. 81 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,370 S3: Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with 82 00:04:51,370 --> 00:04:53,290 S3: all that's going on. On the bluff. 83 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:57,010 S1: For over 50 years, Jefferson State Community College has been 84 00:04:57,010 --> 00:05:00,250 S1: a beacon of education in the greater Birmingham area with 85 00:05:00,250 --> 00:05:04,419 S1: a commitment of quality, convenience and personal attention. We've helped over. 86 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:11,180 S1: 15,000 students annually achieve their goals, offering 120 university transfer programs, 87 00:05:11,180 --> 00:05:16,040 S1: 33 career programs, and countless certificates across four campuses and online. 88 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,130 S1: Where one of the largest community colleges in the state. 89 00:05:19,130 --> 00:05:23,390 S1: At Jefferson State, we believe in accessible, economical education. Find 90 00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:26,659 S1: your place at Jefferson State, explore our programs and let 91 00:05:26,660 --> 00:05:31,670 S1: us help you accomplish your vision. Visit Jefferson state.edu today. 92 00:05:31,670 --> 00:05:34,760 S1: Explore our site and discover how Jefferson State can help 93 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,210 S1: you find your place. Your journey starts here. 94 00:05:38,810 --> 00:05:41,810 S2: Hoover mayor Frank Cato is here with us. Mayor. Thank 95 00:05:41,810 --> 00:05:43,280 S2: you so much for your time. I know it is 96 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:45,349 S2: a precious piece of time, but we love having you 97 00:05:45,350 --> 00:05:46,339 S2: on the podcast. 98 00:05:46,370 --> 00:05:48,710 S4: Thank you. We are grateful to be with you. 99 00:05:48,740 --> 00:05:51,799 S2: We love promoting Hoover, and I know that you have 100 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,920 S2: recently given the state of the city address. And so, 101 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,290 S2: you know, most of the things that people need to 102 00:05:57,290 --> 00:05:59,599 S2: know about Hoover were covered there. And I and I 103 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:02,599 S2: thought maybe here in the beginning when, you know, people 104 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:05,120 S2: have lived here a long time or are thinking about 105 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:09,200 S2: moving to Hoover, but talk about the livability in the city. Sure. 106 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,870 S4: Well, you know, that kind of falls on the quality 107 00:06:11,870 --> 00:06:14,960 S4: of life and the things that we offer. And and 108 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:18,320 S4: we talk about livability. One of the things I kind 109 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,170 S4: of always talk about is, what is it that gets, 110 00:06:21,380 --> 00:06:23,390 S4: you know, our kids, we raise our kids here and 111 00:06:23,390 --> 00:06:25,820 S4: they go off to college. What gets them to come 112 00:06:25,820 --> 00:06:29,510 S4: back here? What makes it attractive? What made it attractive 113 00:06:29,510 --> 00:06:33,380 S4: for their mom and dad to live here? And, you know, 114 00:06:33,380 --> 00:06:36,530 S4: it all goes back to quality of life. And you 115 00:06:36,529 --> 00:06:40,219 S4: think about Hoover. Gosh, our parks and recreation system is 116 00:06:40,220 --> 00:06:45,950 S4: absolutely fabulous with some 25 different parks around the city. 117 00:06:46,339 --> 00:06:49,820 S4: We have a library that's probably the busiest library in 118 00:06:49,820 --> 00:06:53,539 S4: the state of Alabama, and people flock to it for 119 00:06:53,540 --> 00:06:56,479 S4: a lot of different reasons. Everything from taking, you know, 120 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:00,620 S4: checking out books to the performing arts that are provided there. 121 00:07:01,070 --> 00:07:05,300 S4: Think about our school system. That really is a huge backbone. 122 00:07:05,630 --> 00:07:08,360 S4: And the fact that it's one of the largest school 123 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,060 S4: systems in the state. As a matter of fact, the 124 00:07:11,060 --> 00:07:14,210 S4: high school is the largest high school in the state, 125 00:07:14,690 --> 00:07:18,650 S4: and we have around 17 schools. They are a fabulous 126 00:07:18,650 --> 00:07:21,830 S4: in the way they deliver a great quality of education 127 00:07:21,830 --> 00:07:25,670 S4: for our kids. And we think about our school system. 128 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,240 S4: We think about the diversity of our school system. Some 129 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:33,560 S4: 35 to 40 different languages are spoken there. You think 130 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:38,570 S4: about the socio economic diversity, where some 30% of our 131 00:07:38,570 --> 00:07:43,520 S4: kids are free and reduced lunch. And oftentimes that is a, 132 00:07:43,550 --> 00:07:47,660 S4: you know, can be challenging to a system. Yet Hoover 133 00:07:47,660 --> 00:07:49,910 S4: we know how to make it happen. These kids are 134 00:07:49,910 --> 00:07:54,290 S4: getting a great opportunity to learn. They're getting a great 135 00:07:54,290 --> 00:07:59,870 S4: opportunity to just to share their lifestyle where they came from. 136 00:08:00,290 --> 00:08:02,510 S4: They're getting an opportunity if they happen to be kids 137 00:08:02,510 --> 00:08:06,260 S4: in poverty or kids that can't speak English. We want 138 00:08:06,260 --> 00:08:09,050 S4: to give them all the tools that will allow them 139 00:08:09,050 --> 00:08:12,410 S4: to escape that, you know, just to share that American dream. 140 00:08:12,530 --> 00:08:16,430 S4: And then when you think about neighborhoods and your businesses 141 00:08:16,430 --> 00:08:19,580 S4: and when you when quality of life there, is it 142 00:08:19,580 --> 00:08:23,840 S4: safe and Hoover think about this where city of almost 143 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:28,880 S4: 100,000 people and last year we had no homicides. We 144 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,839 S4: only had uh, we did have two vehicular homicides. But, 145 00:08:33,230 --> 00:08:36,110 S4: you know, we didn't have the violent homicides that you 146 00:08:36,110 --> 00:08:40,910 S4: read so much about. Our crime statistics were incredibly low. 147 00:08:40,910 --> 00:08:46,370 S4: As a matter of fact, our robberies decreased 40%, burglaries 15%, 148 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:52,819 S4: car break ins 12%, sexual assault 15%. Just our overall 149 00:08:52,820 --> 00:08:57,410 S4: offenses were, uh, down about 8%. And so those are 150 00:08:57,410 --> 00:09:00,079 S4: the types of things that people look at when they're 151 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,440 S4: looking at a community to move into. What's the school 152 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:07,370 S4: system like? How safe is it? What type of recreational 153 00:09:07,370 --> 00:09:11,240 S4: opportunities do we have? And, uh, we answer all of 154 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,280 S4: those in a positive way, I believe. 155 00:09:13,580 --> 00:09:16,220 S2: Well, it's a shame that this is not video because 156 00:09:16,220 --> 00:09:18,770 S2: you're the the the smile, the glow on your face 157 00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:21,199 S2: is you're talking about the city you lead. I mean, 158 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,200 S2: I think that that is a testament to. I mean, 159 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,470 S2: you're so proud of Hoover and there's reason to be now. 160 00:09:27,470 --> 00:09:30,650 S2: And I love how you talked about when kids move 161 00:09:30,650 --> 00:09:33,679 S2: and go away, you want something that makes them come back. 162 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:36,079 S2: I think parents have the same idea with their children. Hey, 163 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:37,910 S2: I want you as an adult to want to come 164 00:09:37,910 --> 00:09:41,210 S2: back and spend time with me, you know, and hoping 165 00:09:41,210 --> 00:09:43,580 S2: I did a good job as a parent. But, you know, 166 00:09:43,580 --> 00:09:47,120 S2: when somebody comes back to Hoover, it's not like Hoover 167 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,040 S2: is stuck in a certain time frame. There's a lot 168 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:52,160 S2: of innovation that happens in Hoover as well that attracts 169 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,200 S2: the people to come back. So talk a little bit 170 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:54,890 S2: about that. 171 00:09:54,890 --> 00:09:57,140 S4: So when you think about Hoover and it kind of 172 00:09:57,140 --> 00:10:01,010 S4: grew up over the years as a retail center, right? 173 00:10:01,190 --> 00:10:03,590 S4: I mean, we've got the Galleria, we got highway 31. 174 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:06,859 S4: Is where you would come to buy a car, or 175 00:10:06,860 --> 00:10:09,620 S4: where you would come to the shop at the, uh, 176 00:10:09,650 --> 00:10:12,319 S4: you know, at the Riverchase Gallery, all of those things. 177 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,860 S4: So the city for a lot of years is I 178 00:10:15,860 --> 00:10:18,050 S4: think it's done a really good job trying to, you know, 179 00:10:18,050 --> 00:10:22,580 S4: attracting more of your white collar jobs like the Stem industry, 180 00:10:22,580 --> 00:10:24,920 S4: for instance. And you saw a lot of that along 181 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:29,570 S4: the 280 corridor and down in Riverchase. And so what 182 00:10:29,570 --> 00:10:34,010 S4: we focused on a great deal since my arrival is 183 00:10:34,010 --> 00:10:37,400 S4: to build upon that and go out and recruit those 184 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:41,120 S4: types of great companies that when our kids go off 185 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:44,179 S4: to college, or even if they don't go off to college, 186 00:10:44,179 --> 00:10:47,330 S4: they want to choose a career that necessarily doesn't have 187 00:10:47,330 --> 00:10:50,570 S4: to have a college degree. There needs to be jobs 188 00:10:50,570 --> 00:10:53,569 S4: that they can come back to. And, you know, the 189 00:10:53,570 --> 00:10:57,770 S4: ideal city is a city that you can live, work 190 00:10:57,770 --> 00:11:01,130 S4: and play and never leave your city. As a matter 191 00:11:01,130 --> 00:11:03,200 S4: of fact, it's even nice sometimes if you don't have 192 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,560 S4: to go, leave too far from your neighborhood, so to speak. 193 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,709 S4: So we've done a, I think, a really good job 194 00:11:09,710 --> 00:11:13,970 S4: in creating innovation in the city. And, uh, you know, 195 00:11:13,970 --> 00:11:16,790 S4: just last about 2 or 3 weeks ago, I guess, 196 00:11:17,150 --> 00:11:21,890 S4: we announced the Riverwalk Village and that that's a really 197 00:11:21,890 --> 00:11:26,120 S4: a high tech development that's about 100 acres, that's on 198 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:30,380 S4: the region's campus in Riverchase. And, uh, it's a it's 199 00:11:30,380 --> 00:11:33,530 S4: a really a wonderful mixed use development that, you know, 200 00:11:33,530 --> 00:11:36,230 S4: will come into play over the next three to 5 201 00:11:36,230 --> 00:11:40,970 S4: to 10 years, where there will be probably 500 residences, uh, 202 00:11:40,970 --> 00:11:45,410 S4: some great shopping opportunities, restaurants and things of that nature, 203 00:11:45,410 --> 00:11:48,980 S4: employment on that campus as well. And then, you know, 204 00:11:48,980 --> 00:11:51,800 S4: our goal is to bring a really quality type of 205 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:56,870 S4: health care service to Riverwalk Village. And we're pitching it 206 00:11:56,870 --> 00:12:00,200 S4: as a, you know, as a health care destination. And 207 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:04,100 S4: we think about Riverchase. We've already got Blue Cross, Blue Shield. 208 00:12:04,100 --> 00:12:07,550 S4: I mean, the that's a major health care company that 209 00:12:07,550 --> 00:12:10,250 S4: is already resides in our city. And then we have 210 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:13,429 S4: companies like Bio Quest and Bio Horizons that are down 211 00:12:13,429 --> 00:12:18,350 S4: there where life saving drugs are being discovered. Research and 212 00:12:18,350 --> 00:12:22,370 S4: discovery going on right there in Riverchase. They're building dental 213 00:12:22,370 --> 00:12:26,150 S4: implants where dentists come from all over the world to 214 00:12:26,150 --> 00:12:29,990 S4: learn how to put these implants in. So Riverwalk Village, 215 00:12:29,990 --> 00:12:33,200 S4: we believe with what's going on at UAB and Southern 216 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:38,450 S4: Research and bio and bio horizons, all of those things combined, 217 00:12:38,450 --> 00:12:41,030 S4: we think Hoover is a great place for companies that, 218 00:12:41,179 --> 00:12:44,030 S4: as they are born out of UAB or born out 219 00:12:44,030 --> 00:12:48,890 S4: of Southern Research or Innovation Depot, we're perfectly positioned to 220 00:12:48,890 --> 00:12:53,120 S4: offer those companies a great place to locate and have 221 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:56,210 S4: a great business quality of life. So those are the 222 00:12:56,210 --> 00:12:58,850 S4: types of things that we're focusing on each and every 223 00:12:58,850 --> 00:13:02,929 S4: day to make it attractive for, you know, people that 224 00:13:03,110 --> 00:13:08,420 S4: are already settled in business, maybe in California or somewhere 225 00:13:08,420 --> 00:13:11,810 S4: in Illinois or wherever across the country, and they're looking 226 00:13:11,809 --> 00:13:14,810 S4: for a change. You're looking for a place where it's 227 00:13:14,809 --> 00:13:18,140 S4: a lot easier to do business, and they look around 228 00:13:18,140 --> 00:13:21,950 S4: the country and they Alabama, I think, has a great reputation. Well, 229 00:13:21,950 --> 00:13:24,170 S4: we want to be part of that reputation as an 230 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,860 S4: easy place to do business, where you can move your 231 00:13:27,860 --> 00:13:30,800 S4: company here, your kids can go to school here. There's 232 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,949 S4: a great quality of life. The housing is wonderful, the 233 00:13:33,950 --> 00:13:38,599 S4: public safety is outstanding. And, uh, you know, it's all attractive. Well, it. 234 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,360 S2: Sounds like you're building something for everyone, as you've mentioned. Well, 235 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,050 S2: let's talk about that, everyone, because you're also very proud 236 00:13:45,050 --> 00:13:47,660 S2: of the diversity that is occurring there in Hoover. Talk 237 00:13:47,660 --> 00:13:49,160 S2: a little bit about that. Yes. 238 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:51,920 S4: So it's really kind of kind of neat. You'll see 239 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,860 S4: the diversity. Uh, I think the greatest place to see 240 00:13:54,860 --> 00:13:57,890 S4: this is our schools. You walk into our schools and 241 00:13:58,100 --> 00:14:02,329 S4: I'm invited often to International Day, and we'll have these 242 00:14:02,330 --> 00:14:06,230 S4: kids in their traditional the country that they came from, 243 00:14:06,230 --> 00:14:10,610 S4: dressed up in their traditional garb. And it's really fascinating, 244 00:14:10,610 --> 00:14:14,630 S4: and it's fun to see that the different languages that 245 00:14:14,630 --> 00:14:19,070 S4: are spoken here in about 8% of our population was 246 00:14:19,070 --> 00:14:22,310 S4: not even born in the United States. So that's pretty 247 00:14:22,310 --> 00:14:25,310 S4: interesting as well. But here's kind of a cool thing. 248 00:14:25,310 --> 00:14:29,150 S4: We had about 900 little over 900 new business license 249 00:14:29,150 --> 00:14:33,500 S4: issued last year, and it's remarkable how many of those 250 00:14:33,500 --> 00:14:37,370 S4: businesses we go and cut the ribbon. And, uh, it's 251 00:14:37,370 --> 00:14:41,540 S4: remarkable how many are women? Uh, it's remarkable how many 252 00:14:41,540 --> 00:14:44,960 S4: are women of color? And that's kind of, you know, 253 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,950 S4: that I think that speaks volumes about who we are 254 00:14:48,950 --> 00:14:53,930 S4: and why we're so attractive to people from across every 255 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:59,420 S4: socioeconomic scale, so to speak. And we are proud of that. 256 00:14:59,420 --> 00:15:02,180 S4: We promote it. We talk about a lot about it. 257 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,840 S4: And I think we put our. Money where our mouth is. 258 00:15:06,020 --> 00:15:07,880 S2: Well, finally, you know, mayor, again, thank you for your 259 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:10,040 S2: time being part of the podcast. I mean, we all 260 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:13,250 S2: enjoy Hoover and want to have other people come in 261 00:15:13,250 --> 00:15:16,010 S2: and do the same. But let's talk about the perspective 262 00:15:16,010 --> 00:15:20,330 S2: of Hoover and, you know, maybe closing statements about your 263 00:15:20,330 --> 00:15:22,730 S2: perspective of your job in the city and just the 264 00:15:22,730 --> 00:15:23,750 S2: city itself. 265 00:15:23,780 --> 00:15:26,810 S4: Well, you know, we grew up as a suburb, and 266 00:15:26,810 --> 00:15:30,350 S4: certainly we're considered a suburb. We think that we're 100,000 people, 267 00:15:30,350 --> 00:15:33,740 S4: were the six largest city in the state of Alabama. 268 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:39,020 S4: So we are measured often by very, very much, much 269 00:15:39,020 --> 00:15:43,160 S4: smaller suburbs. And and we really that's not that's not 270 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:46,400 S4: who we're competing against. And that's not uh, and we 271 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,430 S4: are in a sense, but really the things that we're 272 00:15:49,430 --> 00:15:52,610 S4: trying to do and attract here are maybe not the 273 00:15:52,610 --> 00:15:56,030 S4: exact same things that some of our smaller sister cities 274 00:15:56,030 --> 00:15:58,760 S4: are trying to attract. But we we look at ourselves 275 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:03,200 S4: like a Franklin, Tennessee or Alpharetta, Georgia, or Scottsdale, Arizona. 276 00:16:03,650 --> 00:16:06,590 S4: That's the type of city that we see ourselves that 277 00:16:06,590 --> 00:16:08,600 S4: we feel like we need to grow. We need to 278 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:12,200 S4: make sure that we're creating a great place to live. 279 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:14,900 S4: We need to make sure that we're bringing these quality 280 00:16:14,900 --> 00:16:19,190 S4: businesses that are so important to so people can have 281 00:16:19,190 --> 00:16:22,160 S4: these jobs, and the kids will come back, as we 282 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,550 S4: talked about earlier. And, you know, and the other thing, 283 00:16:25,730 --> 00:16:29,000 S4: we focus a lot on the types of events that 284 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,210 S4: we hold. You think that think about the SEC tournament. 285 00:16:32,690 --> 00:16:36,890 S4: I brought 175,000 people, our city last year. You think 286 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:40,880 S4: about the region's golf tournament, what that does. All of 287 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:46,970 S4: the some 700,000 people came through the Hoover Met complex. 288 00:16:47,090 --> 00:16:50,000 S4: Those are kind of big city numbers. Those are not 289 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,480 S4: suburban types of numbers. And so we have to be 290 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:57,260 S4: prepared to make sure that we can offer a quality 291 00:16:57,260 --> 00:17:01,490 S4: event to people like the Southeastern Conference, two people like 292 00:17:01,490 --> 00:17:05,390 S4: the senior PGA, because they go to quality cities and 293 00:17:05,390 --> 00:17:08,389 S4: they want first class services, and we have to be 294 00:17:08,390 --> 00:17:11,510 S4: able to offer those things. So we work really hard 295 00:17:11,510 --> 00:17:14,810 S4: and focus on that to make sure that we can 296 00:17:14,810 --> 00:17:16,580 S4: answer the bell, so to speak. 297 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:20,720 S2: Again, mayor Frank Ricardo's smile is contagious. It's a shame 298 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:22,250 S2: you can't see it. But sir, thank you for your 299 00:17:22,250 --> 00:17:24,530 S2: leadership and thank you for your time today. We appreciate it. 300 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,620 S4: Well thank y'all. We love talking about Hoover and call 301 00:17:27,619 --> 00:17:30,290 S4: us anytime. We had many, many more things we could 302 00:17:30,290 --> 00:17:30,920 S4: talk about. 303 00:17:34,890 --> 00:17:38,520 S1: Thanks for listening to the Enjoy Hoover podcast. For even 304 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,939 S1: more information about Hoover and what's happening, we invite you 305 00:17:41,940 --> 00:17:45,959 S1: to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. This podcast is 306 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:47,520 S1: a production of BGR Group. 307 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:49,020 S5: All rights reserved.