Kaylee Simons
Elmore Autauga News
Amy Hilliard, Ed.D., Economic Development Director for the City of Prattville, has been named one of Consultant Connect’s 2026 Top 50 Economic Developers in North America.
The annual recognition is based on nominations from peers and site selection consultants across North America and recognizes economic developers who help attract jobs, businesses, and investment to their communities. For Hilliard, the honor is especially meaningful because it comes from professionals who understand the work that often takes place behind the scenes.
“To be nominated by peers and site consultants for work surrounding projects in the area is an honor in and of itself,” Hilliard said. “Being selected out of the nationally nominated group was an unexpected bonus.”
Economic development professionals often work behind the scenes to recruit businesses, support expansions, identify development opportunities, and connect local leaders with resources that can strengthen their communities. While the public often sees ribbon cuttings and project announcements, Hilliard said those successes are the result of years of planning and collaboration.
“Economic developers work behind the scenes to create an environment and opportunities for the community in which they serve,” she said. “Targeted approaches, projects, job creation, increased community revenues, school tax supports, etc., define why this profession is so rewarding.”
Hilliard emphasized that successful economic development efforts require teamwork from many people throughout a community.
“When we partner in ribbon cuttings for new businesses and make announcements, it is our group of elected officials that raise their hand to support and fund those projects,” Hilliard said. “It takes so many individuals and groups to make things happen. It is truly a team sport.”
Hilliard has spent nearly 30 years working in economic development and has helped facilitate hundreds of projects across Alabama. Those efforts have contributed to billions of dollars in retail, commercial, and industrial investment while creating opportunities for businesses, workers, and local communities. Despite the scale of those accomplishments, Hilliard said the most rewarding part of the profession is seeing the impact projects have on people’s lives.
“I have been blessed to be in this profession for nearly 30 years in some capacity helping to locate hundreds of projects across the state and locally with billions in retail, commercial and industrial investment,” Hilliard said.
“But watching a manufacturing facility open or expand and knowing that families will change, new jobs will allow folks to work here at home, and we will be able to better support our education system with those projects is the driver of each and every day.”
She said economic developers are often motivated less by recognition and more by the opportunity to create lasting benefits for the communities they serve.
“Economic developers are in a profession that tends to be intrinsically motivated and rewarded by creating opportunities and choices for their community,” Hilliard said.
Prattville has continued to see commercial, retail, and industrial growth in recent years, with local leaders focusing on attracting investment, supporting existing businesses, and preparing for future development opportunities. Hilliard said those efforts are possible because of partnerships among city leaders, businesses, educators, and community stakeholders who share a vision for the city’s future.
While the recognition highlights Hilliard’s contributions to the profession, she credits the many partners who have helped make economic development successes possible throughout her career. The recognition reflects both Hilliard’s nearly three decades in economic development and the continued growth taking place in Prattville.
