COLUMBIANA, Ala. (WIAT) – Governor Robert Bentley celebrated good news in his hometown on Wednesday, as Columbiana is receiving a little outside help.

“It’s good to be back in Columbiana and to walk these streets and to see the stores,” Bentley said. “They’ve changed some since I was here as a boy growing up, but I can look down Main Street there and see, almost see the house that I grew up in.”

The help is coming in the form of a revitalization program called Main Street Alabama.

According to the Governor’s Press Office, Main Street Alabama is a nonprofit organization that aims to help communities create jobs, attract visitors and grow.

“We’ve been a part of this program since I’ve been governor. I just really think it’s great for downtown,” Bentley said. “You know small towns are the backbone still of this state and it’s great to come, it’s great for me to come back home.”

The partnership between the state and the city is something he was pleased to talk about, as he was sure to focus on the revitalization efforts during his speech. Regardless of what comes next, the governor believes this is another positive step forward for his legacy.

“You know, my job is to try to make this state better and to try to help the people of this state,” Bentley said. “I’m going to work hard to do that, and try to get all of my cabinet, all the people around me to work hard and move forward.”

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