By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A group of Birmingham and Jefferson County delegates traveled to Denver this week to learn more about working together in the name of progress.

Gardendale Mayor Kenny Clemons was part of that delegation, which also included three other mayors, four county commissioners and three state senators.

The group was part of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Innovation Group. Denver was reportedly chosen because of its similar economic and demographic makeup.

Clemons spoke by phone from Denver on Tuesday and said the trip focuses on regional cooperation between cities of all sizes and how governmental agencies can work with businesses and citizens.

“Basically, the whole theme is working together for the betterment of the whole area,” Clemons said. “It’s a great, great thing.”

He also pointed out that the city did not foot the bill for the trip to Denver. He said he paid part of his expenses and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce also helped pay some of the expenses. “The city did not pay for anything, but we get the benefits from it,” he said.

According to an article in the Denver Business Journal, the group was scheduled to hear presentations from the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Metro Denver Economic Development and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

“This opens up a lot of communication to make our region a better place,” Clemons said. “We’ve been talking about different types of development and cooperation.”

Clemons said the group learned more about economic development and how the area can work more closely with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Clemons said UAB President Dr. Carol Garrison was also part of the group.

“We’ve learned how UAB affects the cities around us and our city is certainly a vital part of UAB and they’re a vital part of us,” Clemons said.

Clemons said he had also been talking with Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos about growth and development and said he hoped he could share what he learned on this trip with mayors in other towns.