The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

The City of Alabaster, despite the tremendous retail success the city has enjoyed this past year, is not resting on achievements of the past. Quite the contrary, the city of Alabaster is pressing hard to capitalize on what they have already created.

Tax revenues and quality of life enhancements brought about by the Colonial Promenade in Alabaster have been substantial; certainly more dramatic that many of us could have predicted.

A second retail center now underway across the street from the original center promises to bring more tax revenue to swelling city coffers and will include major retailers such as JC Penney, BestBuy and Target.

And don&8217;t forget the jobs these new retail centers will provide. More jobs and expanded tax revenues help make quality of life investments possible.

New parks, city services, a possible new senior center and an enhanced YMCA are all becoming more and more practical as the City of Alabaster expands its retail base.

Now, the path has been cleared for a third retail center. Earlier this week, Circuit Judge Dan Reeves approved an agreement that will allow the City of Alabaster to grant $10 million in sales tax rebates to lure a third retail center planned for the Amstar Theater side of the Colonial Promenade development.

A big incentive? You bet, and with the city of Alabaster&8217;s track record it will be a smart investment.

The City of Alabaster, blessed certainly with perfect proximity to Interstate 65 and hordes of willing shoppers, has at least one more thing assisting efforts to grow the city &045; vision.

A vision for how the city can prosper and for what it can become with lots of hard work and perhaps a little good fortune.

City leaders have their aim focused solely on offering a higher quality of life for its citizens.

The city of Alabaster 20 years from now will in many ways be a reflection of the work and leadership being exhibited today.

And that should make all of us excited about what is to come