Florala Mayor Robert Williamson said there are going to be big announcements coming from the city in 2011.

“We’ve been working constantly to improve the infrastructure in our city,” Williamson said. “We believe that this lays the groundwork to pursue industry and retail business.”

Any drive down a city street would affirm that crews have been working constantly on installing new water lines, improving sewer lines and laying new asphalt and sidewalks.

As for new industry, Florala saw at least two new retailers and one restaurant, as well as the sale of the Florala Memorial Hospital and the reopening of the physicians’ clinic.

It’s that kind of growth city officials hope to keep rolling, Williamson said.

“Right now, there’s one retailer we’re looking at. There’s nothing concrete as of yet since we’re in the preliminary discussions, but that would be just one of the big things to come in Florala.”

Williamson said city officials also plan to put more emphasis on the tourism aspect of Florala.

“We have the lake, the wonderful architecture and the history that lends itself to tourism,” he said. “We’re going to focus even more on that.”