After much anticipation and excitement, Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation officially establishing the Alabama School of Medical Sciences. The new boarding high school will be located in Demopolis and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026.

At Tuesday's bill signing ceremony, Mayor Ivey spoke about the importance and potential of the new school building.

“Establishing this professional school here in Demopolis is arguably the most significant investment in West Alabama in decades,” Ivey said. “But it's much more than that. The Alabama School of Health Sciences will help open the doors of the future for many more Alabama students. More men and women will join our health care workforce.”

“This will change the course of health care in rural areas of our state.”

Local lawmakers and leaders also joined Gov. Ivey on Tuesday to move the school from concept to reality, with State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) noting the future economic impact the institution will have on the Demopolis area.

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“The return on investment in this school will be higher than any economic development project for the next 50 years.”

State Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, thanked Demopolis residents for their efforts in attracting the school to the area.

“What really made this project a success was the people of Demopolis,” Almond said. “Your community came together and showed support, which influenced decision makers in Montgomery. Your efforts paid off.”

“Let's get to work. Let's build first-class schools and move Alabama forward.”

Rep. AJ McCampbell (D-Linden), who is eager to promote the area, spoke about the region's hospitality.

“The people of Demopolis are families who invite young people into their homes and have Sunday dinner,” he said. “We're going to educate these kids here in Demopolis, and the whole country is going to take notice of what we do.”

Rob Pearson, president of the Alabama Medical Sciences Foundation, said the real work is just beginning.

“The challenge of transforming the old New Era factory into a whole new era of healthcare education. Translating the vision and concept into graduates. Putting Demopolis on the map as the home of the top healthcare high school in the country.”

“That effort starts here — today.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News.