Montgomery, AL — What does the future of Montgomery look like when local talent is given the tools, trust, and opportunity to lead?

That question was answered this week as five teams of SEED Academy participants delivered their capstone development presentations before a packed room of investors, lenders, housing experts, city leaders, designers, and community advocates — marking the culmination of the City of Montgomery’s inaugural SEED Academy.

       

The capstone event represented far more than final presentations. It was the visible result of weeks of intensive training, collaboration, and problem-solving focused on one central idea: Montgomery’s growth can — and should — be built by the people who live here.

A Pipeline for Local Developers

SEED Academy was designed to grow Montgomery’s local development ecosystem by equipping aspiring and emerging developers with the practical skills required to move real projects forward — from concept to feasibility to execution.

Participants received hands-on instruction in:

• Real estate development fundamentals
• Zoning and land-use strategy
• Construction budgeting and cost modeling
• Financial feasibility and capital stacks
• Community-centered design and equity analysis
• Navigating city processes and public-private partnerships

The program intentionally brought participants into direct engagement with city departments, financial institutions, designers, and builders — breaking down barriers that often keep community-based developers on the outside of the development process.

Five Teams. Five Visions. One City.

At the capstone event, five teams presented development proposals addressing some of Montgomery’s most pressing needs — including attainable housing, senior living, veteran housing, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and mixed-use commercial revitalization.

Proposals ranged from:

• Senior-focused attainable housing rooted in dignity, stability, and neighborhood legacy
• Veteran housing developments designed to support long-term independence and community integration
• Infill single-family housing aligned with downtown growth and workforce needs
• Historic preservation and adaptive reuse that honors Montgomery’s architectural and cultural legacy
• Mixed-use commercial spaces supporting small businesses, micro-retail, and community gathering

Each team demonstrated not only creativity, but a deep understanding of feasibility, cost realities, and long-term sustainability — engaging in thoughtful dialogue with judges around financing, construction timelines, property management, zoning, and community impact.

Mayor Reed: Investing in Local Talent Builds a Stronger City

Mayor Steven L. Reed praised the SEED Academy participants for showing what is possible when opportunity is expanded and local talent is empowered.

“SEED Academy is growing the next generation of developers, builders, and visionaries in Montgomery,” Mayor Reed said. “These capstone presentations show exactly why investing in our local talent matters. When we open doors for emerging developers—especially women- and minority-owned firms—we expand opportunity, strengthen our economy, and build a more inclusive future for this city. I’m proud of every participant and of the partners who believe in Montgomery’s potential. Together, we’re creating momentum that lifts the entire River Region.”

In a broader reflection on the importance of the program, Mayor Reed emphasized that Montgomery’s growth does not have to rely on outside interests.

“What you see in these SEED Academy capstones is the future of Montgomery taking shape in real time,” Reed said “These entrepreneurs and developers are proving that our city’s growth doesn’t have to be imported—it can be built right here by local talent with bold ideas. When we invest in people who have been overlooked or underestimated, the whole community rises. That’s why programs like SEED Academy matter so much. They’re not just training developers; they are expanding opportunity, empowering small businesses, and ensuring that Montgomery’s economic momentum belongs to everyone.”

Innovation Rooted in Community

Amerika Blair, Director of Innovation for the City of Montgomery, described SEED Academy as a model for how cities can align development with equity, trust, and lived experience.

“SEED Academy is more than a class — it’s a commitment to building a future where Montgomery residents lead the revitalization of their own neighborhoods,” Blair said. “What we witnessed was far more than presentations. These teams demonstrated what happens when you listen deeply, test thoughtfully, and design with people at the center. Their work reflects Montgomery’s commitment to development that is intentional, equitable, and rooted in the voices of our residents.”

Blair emphasized that the program’s strength lies in collaboration — across departments, sectors, and disciplines.

“This work doesn’t happen in isolation,” she added. “Development is a group project. SEED Academy brought city staff, aspiring developers, financial partners, and community leaders into the same room to build together. That level of alignment is how ideas move from concept to implementation — and how Montgomery continues to lead.”

Building Capacity, Not Just Projects

Judges consistently noted that what set SEED Academy apart was not just the quality of the proposals, but the mindset participants developed — one grounded in persistence, collaboration, and long-term vision.

Several participants formed LLCs during the program. Others initiated conversations with lenders, city departments, and potential partners for the first time. Many projects are expected to continue into refinement and early-stage development with support from the City and private partners.

What Comes Next

Following the capstone, the City’s Innovation Team will continue working with participants to:

• Refine development concepts
• Explore financing and partnership opportunities
• Navigate permitting and regulatory pathways
• Strengthen feasibility and implementation strategies

SEED Academy is expected to return with future cohorts, further expanding Montgomery’s pipeline of local developers and reinforcing the city’s commitment to inclusive, community-centered growth.

As one judge remarked during closing comments, “This is not the end — it’s the first step.”

For Montgomery, SEED Academy represents a powerful truth: when residents are equipped to build, the city rises with them.