Town of Leesburg

Leesburg The Town of

“Everywhere you turn something is happening.

New businesses are popping up, and established ones are expanding. Living in Leesburg is life at its best.”

Mayor Brandy Pierce

Brandy Pierce was elected in 2016, after filling the term and seat of the late Mayor Ed Mackey, whose optimistic vision for the town spurred attraction and attention to Leesburg.

Mayor Pierce shares and promotes that same optimism. “We are fortunate to have a council that is dedicated to progress, yet at the same time mindful of smart growth. Our Council, Cody Adams, Frankie Brewster, Wayne Bryam, Joe Sonaty and Diane Tillery have all given their time and talents toward making good things happen in Leesburg.

20 The accomplishments that have been made in the last few years have been exciting. We are so pleased to have completed Leesburg Landing, and look forward to the additions that are coming. There’s no better place to enjoy the water than at our shoreline,” says Mayor Pierce. “Everywhere you turn something is happening. New businesses are popping up, and established ones are expanding. Living in Leesburg is life at its best. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.”

Flyboarding on Weiss Lake

In its early history, Leesburg wasn’t known as Leesburg. Mostly a postal stop and trading spot, it has existed as a community since the mid-1830s. The town had been known as Dublin and Hamptonville before the name settled to honor the prominent family of Charles Henslee, who served as the first postmaster. Originally spelled Leesburgh, the first school was established in 1870. Leesburg was incorporated in 1958.

Today, it is the great surprise for most visiting tourists and newcomers traveling south. It reveals the first unencumbered look of the expansive Weiss Lake, a glimpse of lake living, the joy of water recreation and a less hectic life pace.

Geography The scenery alone is astonishing. Leesburg is bordered by the famous Lookout Mountain chain to the northwest, with Weiss Lake and Coosa River to the south. It is dotted with gracious neighborhoods and lake homes and businesses on the main thoroughfare are comfortably nestled in between. Access to larger cities is hardly a thought. With close proximity to well-kept highways and major roads to Gadsden, Birmingham, Chattanooga, it is indeed fortunate to find an area with the amenities and total access that Leesburg delivers.

Leesburg is located in western Cherokee County, at the northwest corner of the state of Georgia, the northeast corner of Alabama, and along the Tennessee state line of Chattanooga. The town of Sand Rock is to the north, and Weiss Lake and Coosa River to the south. Weiss Dam, which forms the lake, touches just south of the town limits. U.S. Highway 411 runs roughly east to west through Leesburg. Leesburg is a half-hour drive to Gadsden, Alabama, and Chattanooga is only 1.5 hours away. Birmingham is an easy drive of only 80 miles.

Economic Development The economy of Leesburg is fueled in part by established industries and manufacturers. KTH Products, the first occupant in Leesburg Industrial Park, is a tier-1 automotive supplier for underbody structural parts, supplying automotive components to companies worldwide. With a facility occupying over 510,000 square feet of space, KTH Products of Leesburg is one of the major employers in Cherokee County. Other leading industries include Prince Minerals, specializing in porcelain and glass enamels across a wide spectrum of applications and Parkdale Industries, a leading manufacturer of cotton products in the U.S.

Employment at the last census says the top three employment percentages Leesburg’s manufacturing work force took 34%. Logistics, warehousing and utilities, 12.2%, followed by educational services, healthcare and social assistance, 11.9%. Construction, professional, retail, arts & entertainment, public administration and agriculture occupied the remaining. Leesburg has been designated as an AdvantageSite location, denoting it is shovel ready for companies and industries. Managed by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, it is a teamwork approach between the private sector, the state, local governments and the Cherokee County IDA geared toward having prepared product and materials ready for industrial prospects.

This designation is vital in recruiting new industry to the area and provides potential investors with documentation of standard data related to ownership and control, environmental and geotechnical conditions, and infrastructure status. Sites must also meet size, zoning, and accessibility requirements. Mayor Pierce says, “The Town of Leesburg is excited to receive the AdvantageSite designation. This designation shows that our community is prepared and committed to future industrial growth.”

Leesburg Landing

Tourism and Recreation Living in a lake community can move at a pleasant pace, and you choose the pace you enjoy. Leesburg has many recreation opportunities. For example, the famed Cherokee Rock Village, with its series of rock outcrops, is habitually popular with climbers. It is located five miles north of Leesburg. Weiss Lake offers numerous recreational opportunities such as swimming, boating, camping, and fishing.

The Leesburg Landing area has many attractions and camping options, from the public boat ramp with ample parking, to primitive camping sites with fire pits and an RV park which features twenty slots with full power, water, and sewer hook-ups. There are numerous walking trails and a 2-mile nature trail and a 1-mile paved walking path. It is advancements like these that entice the popular fishing tournaments such as the Alabama Bass Trail to choose Weiss Lake.

The Lokey Street Park, located in the heart of downtown, is equipped with pavilions, grills, walking track, and playground equipment. It is the perfect place for family and friends to gather.

Jerry Langford, Resident of Orange Beach, is right at home in Leesburg Landing RV Park.

The Leesburg Ball Park located off US Highway 411 South, the complex features three ball fields, walking track, volleyball court, a playground, and other amenities.

22 During the spring the Cherokee County Youth Girls Softball League and neighboring communities enjoy use of these convenient park, along with neighboring communities who also have the opportunity. Throughout the spring and into the summer several local churches use the volleyball courts for their recreational leagues. With year long activities, the popular Leesburg Day event occurs the second Saturday in September, drawing thousands of locals, tourists, arts, crafts and food vendors. In Leesburg, there is always something new and exciting on the horizon. We welcome you to come visit. We think you’ll want to stay awhile. Lokey Street Park 256-528-8890 215 Industrial Boulevard Leesburg, Alabama 35983 www.LeesburgAL.com

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