Mayor William E. Cooper

Welcome

Welcome to Enterprise, Alabama, also known as the City of Progress. We are a thriving community founded on the principle that with the right mix of people, adversity can easily turn into diversity.

We are home to a mix of business, agriculture, and industry. Our community has a rich military heritage thanks to our close relationship and proximity to Fort Novosel, the Home of Army Aviation. Our 28,000+ person population allows us to provide a quality of life that integrates a small-town atmosphere with urban vitality.

Events & Activities
Enterprise is actually alive with activity. We recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the famous Boll Weevil Monument. Although we consider the monument a whimsical attraction, we also like to note the wonderful message that it transmits - that out of tragedy and adversity can come triumph and diversity if we work together with dedication and determination. 

Opportunities
Our community offers many different recreational and educational opportunities, and our housing market has options for everyone. Whether you are here to stay or just passing through, we hope our southern hospitality and on-the-move lifestyle leaves a lasting impression on you and harkens you to return to live or visit.

About the Mayor

DocumentIn 2017, after serving more than 28 years as a city councilman, William E. (Bill) Cooper became not only the mayor of the City of Enterprise, but the first black mayor of the growing municipality known as the City of Progress. The Enterprise City Council chamber was packed on the historic night of May 16, 2017, as Cooper was sworn in by Judge Paul Sherling.

Mayor Cooper, the former council president, was sworn in following the resignation of former Mayor Kenneth Boswell, who left the office to take an appointment by Governor Kay Ivey as the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. He looks back on the ceremony with pride and appreciation for the support from family, friends and the people of Enterprise.

Quotes
Document (1)"I am honored that I have been given this wonderful opportunity to now serve as the mayor of the city that I love," he said. "I have served this city as a councilman for many years, and the knowledge I have gained will be a valuable asset as we move forward together," said the new mayor, who was elected to seven terms as councilman for District 1. He was the first African-American to serve on the city council.

"Being the first African-American mayor is a huge honor for me," he said. The mayor said he had no idea that when he met the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, during the 1960s when he attended Alabama State University that he would one day be the mayor of a great city.

"I am here to work hard for all the citizens so we can continue the progress our city has enjoyed over the years," he said.

Boards & Committees
Document (2)As a council member, Mayor Cooper served on many boards and committees that have been instrumental in the city's growth, including the Board of Directors of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and the Wiregrass Economic Development Board. He also served as chairman of the Board of the Coffee-Geneva County Education Federal Credit Union and as president of the Alabama State Alumni Association. He is on the Deacon Board at Friendship Baptist Church.

Education & Economic Development
Mayor Cooper, a native of Dothan, graduated from Alabama State University with degrees in education and music education. He also holds a Master of Music Education degree and a Music Education Administration and Supervision degree. He is known by thousands of young people who attended Enterprise City Schools as the band director at Coppinville Junior High School, where he served for 43 years.

Mayor Cooper continues to be keenly interested in the well-being and education of young people and supports aggressive economic development and industry recruitment in order to build jobs for young adults, and men and women already in the workforce who seek stable incomes.

Accomplishments
While he looks toward future enhancements and improvements in the city, he is also proud of past accomplishments of the city administration while he served on the council, including hundreds of jobs, a massive street resurfacing project, construction of a new civic center and a farmers market and helping the school system fund new construction.