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Terry Powell has qualified to seek reelection to the Andalusia City Council for District 5 in this summer’s municipal election.

Powell retired from Amoco Fabrics & Fibers/Shaw Industries after 40 years in the financial arena. Powell said he has used that experience to work closely with the mayor, council, and city clerk to improve the city’s financial reporting and budgeting.

“In the past four years, we have reduced long-term debt, improved the city’s net position, and worked to manage the city’s expenses,” he said. “Unlike the federal government, we are mandated by law to work with a balanced budget, and to have contingency funds in our budget so that we are prepared for unforeseen emergent expenses.”

This attention to sound financial management has earned the city an A+ bond rating – similar to an individual’s credit rating  –  from Standard and Poor’s, he said.

One reason for the city’s financial stability, Powell said, is its focus on building the local retail economy.

“If you think about the businesses that have come in over the past 20 years, we have a retail economy that our neighbors envy,” he said. “This didn’t just happen. This happened because we have a team of elected officials and city employees in place who focus on having the infrastructure to support growth, and to make ours a growth-friendly city.”

Powell said that downtown redevelopment is an important piece of that economic work.

“We want our downtown to be a space that attracts people to visit us,” he said. “We have worked with the Chamber with initiatives like Christmas in Candyland that has brought national attention to the city. JulyJamz also has been very successful. Both events are not only ‘quality  of life’ events but they bring visitors into our community that in turn spend money with our merchants.”

Powell said the city also has worked hard on its infrastructure, both in updating water and sewerage lines, and making sure the infrastructure was in place to support new industries. That work paid off in a big way, he said, when Conecuh Sausage announced in 2024 it was building a new $60 million processing facility in Andalusia.

“We also worked with an existing industry, Covington Casket, to move into a new facility in our industrial park,” Powell said. “This has been great for their business, and has opened up their former downtown properties for use in both education and as incubator space for smaller manufacturers.”

“It has been an honor to represent the people of Andalusia for the past 21 years,” Powell said. “If reelected, I will work with the incoming administration to continue to bring new businesses to our area, and make sure that we grow in thoughtful ways.

“As in the past I will continue to represent the citizens of District 5, and all other citizens with honesty and integrity,” he said.

Powell represents the city on its Utilities Board, and serves as mayor pro tem. He also is former chairman of the board of trustees for Andalusia Regional Hospital.

He and his wife, Suzanne, have two children, both graduates of Andalusia High School; Kyle, married to the former Ashley Krudop, and Katelyn, married to Cory Ellis. Powell is also the proud grandfather of Francie, Foster and Addie Powell, Reid, Georgia and Thomas Ellis.

Municipal elections are Tues., Aug. 26.