Nearly 30 Maplesville business owners attended the first of what is hoped to be regular quarterly breakfast meetings Friday morning.

Each business owner or community leader stood up, told a little about their business, and addressed current issues within their field.

Mayor Kurt Wallace said the town had invited about 60 business people to the meeting. He seemed pleased with the response.

“This is a chance for these guys to do a little networking,” Wallace said. “It’s all about helping each other out. They all have different resources.”

Wallace said the meetings will also give him an opportunity to address issues facing the town.

Not everyone in attendance was a business owner. Among them was Maplesville High School Principal Maggie Hicks, who shared information about the school.

“I guess I’m in the kids business,” she said, noting that the school hosts Career Day twice a year and invites local businesses to participate.

“It’s interesting to hear our kids talk about how they didn’t know those businesses were in Chilton County,” Hicks said.

Maplesville School has an enrollment of about 515 students and employs about 60 people, she added.

Others emphasized the importance of spending money locally, and invited everyone to stop by their store or office.

Town Clerk Sheila Haigler announced that a special event, “Welcome Back to Maplesville,” is planned for April 10 as part of the Small Town Alabama project. Prior to that date, an effort will be made to spruce up downtown.

Former residents will be invited back for the celebration, and tours will be given of historic structures, including the old Maplesville Depot. Vendors will also set up in the town’s streets.

“This is going to be a big day in our town, and we want everybody to be a part of that,” Haigler said.