GOOD HOPE, Ala. – A new business is about to open its doors in Good Hope, and city leaders are working to clear the way for a hotel, but first, the city needs to get natural gas under the interstate.
Mayor Jerry Bartlett shared the updates following the Good Hope City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Oct. 26.
New package store opening
A new package store owned by Donald Estess is preparing to open in a new building at 6073 County Road 490, Suite A, across from the Scotty Hooper Museum. Bartlett said Estess’ sons, Scotty and Skipper, are also part of the business.
A ribbon cutting is expected soon, though a date has not yet been set, according to city officials.
Gas line key to hotel
Bartlett said a hotel planned behind the new store is on hold until natural gas service can be extended under the interstate.
The city had asked to run its gas line through a crossing being installed under the interstate for water lines, but was told the opening was too small, Bartlett said. Since then, grant funding is allowing the water line to be upsized because of a need for more water capacity in the area, and the city hopes the larger casing will also make room for Good Hope’s gas line.
Officials are scheduled to meet with Cullman County leaders about the project Thursday, Nov. 5. No firm timeline has been set.
Bartlett said the growth will be good for the community.
“This is going to help a lot with economic growth,” he said.
He said a hotel would give visitors a place to stay overnight, keeping them, and their spending, in Good Hope and Cullman County longer.
Council business
During Monday’s meeting, the Council reviewed the city’s September financial reports. Also on the agenda was an offer on about three-quarters of an acre, a triangle-shaped piece of land at the end of Beech Grove Road.
According to the city’s profit-and-loss report, Good Hope brought in $671,055.61 in total income in September, down 12.2% from $763,984.14 in September 2025. Sales tax, the city’s largest general fund revenue source, totaled $149,830.51 for the month, compared with $443,416.06 a year earlier. Alcohol sales revenue came in at $33,761.53, down from $84,981.71 last September, though it finished ahead of the month’s budgeted $29,915.
Grant dollars helped offset the decline. The city received $387,387.40 in grant funds in September, including $112,139.12 for a USDA multiuse storm shelter and $275,248.28 through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s State Revolving Fund for a sewer project.
The city finished September with $44,921.74 in net income, compared with $523,455.02 in September 2025. As of Oct. 26, Good Hope’s bank balances totaled $1,742,854.84 across all accounts, including $778,088.49 in the Good Hope Economic Development Fund and $644,525.40 in the Alcohol Fund.
The council also approved minutes from its Oct. 13 meeting, when members voted to hire a full-time qualified EMT at up to $20 an hour plus benefits, paid from alcohol funds; to buy property at 2050 County Road 222 from John and Kathy Sims for $600,000 from the Economic Development Fund; and to annex that property into the city and zone it General Business. Councilman Billy Brown abstained from the annexation vote.
Coming up in Good Hope
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Teacher grants: Thursday, Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m.
- Jack’s Western Wear recognized as Alabama Retailer of the Year: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.
- Veterans Fireworks in the Park: Sunday, Nov. 8, with horses and flags at 4:30 p.m. and fireworks shortly after 5
- City offices closed for Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Community Luncheon, served by council members: Wednesday, Nov. 25
- City offices closed: Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27
- Christmas Parade followed by Christmas in the Park: Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m.
The council’s remaining 2026 meetings are set for Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 14 and Dec. 28.
