Pike County's mayors agree that 2003 was a good year for the county and has set the stage for an even more successful year in 2004.

"Everything looked real well last year," said Banks Mayor Wayne Wilson. "If we continue on like we have in the past, then we'll still be progressing. We're not in the hole at all."

Wilson said one of the small town's biggest projects for the new year is an addition to its town hall. Wilson said the city needs a place to store its equipment.

"We've planned on expanding it and we'll start looking at it during the first of the year," he said. "Things are going really well."

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford said it's an "exciting time" to be in Troy.

"We have a lot of things on the way," he said.

One of the most anticipated projects is the new recreation complex at the Troy Sports Complex. Lunsford said the city council will open bids for the project by February or March.

"We are really looking forward to making that become a reality," Lunsford said.

The city is also looking forward to expanding its senior activities and facility at the Colley Complex Center and the services at the Troy Public Library.

"We'll be hiring a new library director at the first of the year," Lunsford said. "(Director Margaret Stewart) is retiring and we look forward to working with a new director and at the continued growth and expansion of our library and its services."

This year will also be a good year for employment opportunities with Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin and KW Plastics.

"It's an exciting time for job prospects and county development prospects," Lunsford said. "We're anxious to see the operation of the new Hampton Inn and the development of the rest of that shopping center."

Brundidge is also looking forward to a year of growth and economic development.

"Wal-Mart and Southern Classic Foods will be in their new facilities and we hope to see some of the people that are looking for a job being able to secure one in our community," Mayor Jimmy Ramage said.

Horn Beverage, Inc., will continue business this year in its new Brundidge location and CWT, Inc., a new business, will soon be up and running in the industrial park across the street from the waste water treatment plant.

"We are looking forward to working with all our existing industries," Ramage said. "We are encouraged and hope that with the economy improving, it will allow our businesses to have a great year in 2004."

The new year will also see the completion of some of last year's projects, including a new building at Pike County High School, which Ramage said will "offer students better conditions to obtain an education."

The average citizen won't be left out of this year's stream of progress, either.

"The city will be working on several grants in 2004 to assist the citizens of Brundidge," he said. "One of the grants will improve the sewage lines. We also expect to be upgrading the city's electrical lines in 2004. The upgrade in voltage will give the city less line lost and assist the citizens and business community with a better flow of electricity."

Goshen Mayor Michael Sanders could not be reached for comment.