If you walked through downtown Montgomery a decade ago, you’d see a city frozen in its own history. It was a place where the weight of the past—of the bus boycotts and the Selma-to-Montgomery march—felt heavier than any hope for the future. But things have changed. A lot.
The mayor of Montgomery Alabama, Steven L. Reed, isn't just a name on a ballot anymore. He’s become a sort of architect for what people are calling the "New South." Honestly, when he first took the oath in 2019, folks were skeptical. Could a financial-analyst-turned-probate-judge actually fix the potholes and the systemic poverty?
It turns out, the answer is "kinda, yeah," but with a whole lot of nuance.
Making History is the Easy Part
Steven Reed became the 57th mayor of Montgomery on November 12, 2019. He was the first Black mayor in the city’s 200-year history. That's a huge deal. You’ve got to remember that this is the same city where the Confederacy was born and where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
But Reed is the first to tell you that being "first" doesn't mean much if you aren't also the "best." He even wrote a book about it called First, Best. He didn’t just stumble into the job. His dad, Joe Reed, was a powerhouse in the Montgomery City Council for decades. Politics is basically in his DNA.
He didn't take the easy route, though. He went to Morehouse College, got an MBA from Vanderbilt, and worked as a financial analyst for American Airlines. That business background is probably why he talks more like a CEO than a typical stump-speech politician.
The Budget Reality Check
Most people don't care about "inclusive economic growth" until it hits their own neighborhood. For the 2026 fiscal year, Reed proposed a $353.2 million budget. It’s a 6.5% jump from the year before.
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Where’s that money going?
- Police Gear: Replacing the Montgomery Police Department's (MPD) ancient communication systems.
- Employee Raises: Every single city employee got a merit increase. That’s how you keep people from quitting for better-paying jobs in Birmingham or Atlanta.
- Infrastructure: They’ve repaired nearly 3,000 potholes in just the first half of last year.
- Safety Tech: Installing new cameras all over the city and buying new sanitation trucks.
The city is actually operating without short-term debt. That’s rare for a mid-sized Southern city. Long-term debt is down to about $25.5 million, which sounds like a lot, but for a city of 200,000 people, it’s remarkably lean.
Policing and the "21st Century" Strategy
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: crime. It’s the number one thing people complain about. Montgomery has had some rough years with violent crime, but the mid-year stats from 2025 showed some genuine progress.
Violent crime dropped by over 28%. Homicides were down 13.5%. These aren't just "feel-good" numbers; they represent fewer families in mourning. Reed’s administration is leaning hard into what they call "21st Century Policing."
Basically, it's about technology and community trust. The MPD has a clearance rate for violent crimes that's over 70%, which is way higher than the national average. But Reed often gets frustrated. He’s been vocal about the "revolving door" in the justice system, where officers make arrests only to see the same guys back on the street a few days later. It’s a tension between the mayor’s office and the courts that isn't going away anytime soon.
Why the Schools Finally Have Money
Before Reed, Montgomery’s schools hadn't seen a significant investment increase in 40 years. Forty years. That’s insane.
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Reed pushed through a property tax increase specifically earmarked for education. It was a massive political risk. Nobody likes higher taxes, especially in Alabama. But he framed it as an investment in the workforce. If the schools are bad, businesses won't move here. If businesses don't move here, there are no jobs.
It worked. Since then, the city has seen over $1.7 billion in capital investment. Companies like Hyundai and various tech startups are actually looking at Montgomery as a viable hub, not just a place to drive through on I-65.
Small Business and the "Black Tech" Boom
One of the more surprising stats is that Montgomery is now frequently ranked as one of the best places for Black entrepreneurs. Reed tripled the number of Black-owned businesses participating in municipal contracts.
He didn't just do it for optics. He did it because, as an MBA guy, he knows that a lopsided economy is a weak economy. By bringing more people into the fold, the tax base grows. It’s simple math, really.
The Challenges Nobody Talks About
It hasn't all been ribbons and gold shovels. Reed has faced some serious heat. There’s a segment of the population that feels the focus on "downtown revitalization" leaves the outskirts behind.
Then there's the political friction. Being a progressive-leaning mayor in a deep-red state is like trying to swim upstream in a hurricane. His stance on same-sex marriage back when he was a probate judge—he was the first in Alabama to issue those licenses—made him a hero to some and a villain to others. That "defiant" streak still defines his relationship with the state legislature today.
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What’s Next for Montgomery?
The next mayoral election isn't until 2027. For now, Reed is juggling his local duties with his role as President of the African American Mayors Association.
He’s focused on "reskilling" workers. Basically, he wants to make sure that when high-tech jobs arrive, the people already living in Montgomery are the ones getting hired, not just folks moving in from out of state.
Actionable Steps for Residents and Business Owners
If you're living in Montgomery or thinking about moving your business there, here’s how to actually plug into what’s happening:
- Check the Zoning: The city is finishing its first full zoning update in 60 years. This will change where you can build and what you can do with your property. Look up the "Montgomery Forward" plans on the city website.
- Apply for Contracts: If you own a landscaping or construction business, the city is actively looking for local vendors to handle property cleanups.
- Use the 311 App: Don't just complain about potholes on Facebook. The city's tracking system for repairs is actually pretty responsive now.
- Attend Council Meetings: The FY 2026 budget is public. Go see where your tax dollars are actually being debated.
The mayor of Montgomery Alabama is currently steering a ship that spent decades stuck in the mud. Whether he can keep it in deep water depends on if the economic growth can outpace the social friction. For now, the numbers look good, but in a city with this much history, nothing is ever truly settled.
To stay informed, you should regularly monitor the City of Montgomery’s official news portal for mid-year crime reports and budget adjustments, as these provide the most transparent view of the city’s trajectory. Local business owners should specifically look into the "Block by Block" program for downtown opportunities.