Russellville’s mayor seeks fourth consecutive term
Mayor David Grissom wants to continue being involved in the growth and development of the city as he announces a run for a fourth term.
A local businessman, Grissom was first elected to office in 2012 after representing District 5 on the Russellville City Council from 2008 to 2012.
In his announcement, Grissom cited past success and several ongoing projects that he wants to see finished as the driving forces behind his re-election campaign.
“There are many positive things taking place in and around Russellville,” Grissom said. “We continue to add new jobs, continue to improve our infrastructure, continue to improve our city services, and we continue to redevelop our downtown district.”
He said Russellville is currently involved in the largest paving and infrastructure improvement program in the city’s history, including a $4 million project involving various streets throughout the city.
During his terms as mayor, Grissom has seen the addition of more than 1,400 new jobs with over $56 million in capital investments in the city. He praised local and state officials for their willingness to work together to land those additional jobs.
“Our existing industries in Russellville continue to add jobs each year and this has led to record employment for the city,” Grissom said. “We are thankful for all of our existing commercial and industrial partners and are thankful for their continued success.”
One of the main points he campaigned on 12 years ago, Grissom said, is that everyone works together as a team to accomplish what the public wants for the city.
“I think we have built relationships with people across the state and country that will help us moving forward,” Grissom said. “The city just received approval of a $3,892,000 earmark appropriation from Congressman (Robert) Aderholt for a new multipurpose, media, broadband Internet library and has just received a $500,000 earmark appropriation from Sen. (Tommy) Tuberville for new police vehicles.”
The mayor and city council, he said, have actively pursued funding since 2012 that has helped the city obtain more than $18 million in grant projects, most paid through state and federal funds, including a $2 million Transportation Alternatives Program grant to upgrade sidewalks in downtown Russellville.
Grissom said the city has upgraded equipment in every department, and the city since 2012 has seen improvement in infrastructure and equipment upgrades of more than $34 million.
“It is important to have safe and stable transportation and infrastructure in place,” Grissom said. “Our work with the city council and the state and federal government has been a tremendous asset that has helped us do many muchneeded projects.”
The Russellville Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, and the city was declared a Main Street Alabama Designated Community in 2023.
Grissom received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Alabama in 1996. He’s been involved in a variety of business endeavors in northwest Alabama.
A 1990 graduate of Russellville High School, Grissom is the son of Judy Keeton Grissom and the late Bob Grissom. He is married to Melissa Fuller Grissom, an art teacher at Russellville High School. Their19-year-olddaughter, Kate Reed Grissom, is a 2023 Russellville High School graduate who is a sophomore at UNA.
Grissom is a lifetime member of Russellville Masonic Lodge #371, member of Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Valley of Birmingham, Cahaba Shrine, Huntsville, and Franklin County Shrine Club.
He and his family are members of Mountain View Baptist Church.
