Every municipality receives an economic boost when a large number of people descend on their city.

Valley Grande Elementary and Martin Middle schools were the host sites for the two-week Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) hands-on math and science training, which began on July 9.

More than

600 teachers, principals, superintendents and central office personnel from Dallas, Autauga, Chilton and Montgomery counties participated.

Valley Grande Mayor Tom Lee said it was a compliment to the area that the event was held in Valley Grande.

The Central Alabama AMSTI site, administered by Wallace Community College Selma and Alabama State University, sponsored the event.

In addition, the city had a great turnout for its Fourth of July event on Saturday, June 30, and the fireworks, which had to be postponed until July 4.

The event grows each year and organizers are already planning for the 2008 celebration.

These events show that the young municipality is ready to welcome visitors, providing quality events for local residents in the process.