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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Monumental Technologies in Thorsby opened its doors on Aug. 15 and celebrated with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. Josh Jennings, owner of Monumental Technologies, celebrated opening the new business with Thorsby Mayor Robert Hight, the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, the Strawberry Queens and other business owners in the city of Thorsby.

“We had a great turnout for our grand opening,” Jennings said. “It was just a good response overall.”

Jennings also had manufacturer representatives from major audio-visual, internet and technology companies at the event as well to help explain some of things they have to offer. When it comes to the mission of Monumental Technologies, Jennings said “We create experiences, and we enhance lifestyles.”

The business focuses on commercial businesses and enhancing their audio, lighting, video and information technologies. Monumental Technologies is not only the seller of the product, but they also install it into the businesses as well.

“We put all of the pieces together,” Jennings said.

Monumental offers various technologies including computers, cloud items for storage, software, TVs and mounts, Google Nest systems, lighting controls, stereos and sound systems, cameras, access points residential and commercial buildings and more.

The business is focusing its efforts on commerical buildings for businesses. For example, Monumental could install conferencing solutions for businesses who may video call with others outside of the building. They also have technology that fits well into classrooms such as smart boards and digital white boards, and Jennings hopes to expand into the county school system in the coming years.

As new internet options are being looked into around Chilton County and the need for better technology is rising, Monumental Technologies can enhance those experiences once those services come into the county.

“This is all good stuff when we talk about the roll out of fiber in Chilton County,” Jennings said. “We take that infrastructure and we do something with it once it is there, and we make it work for you … We want to encourage the conversation of bringing good infrastructure (to Chilton County). We want to help, direct and move it forward.”

Monumental would also like to branch out into residential homes, but would stick to homes that have more square footage that may need services that the business would specialize in.

The business can get technology in that can be found at box stores such as Best Buy and Walmart, but it can also get higher end products as well if someone is interested. If so, they now do not have to leave the county and can purchase and have it installed all by a local business in Monumental.

“We do not just sell it, we install it and we come in a consult. If it is out there, we can get it,” Jennings said. “We have it all right here in Chilton County, and people do not have to go to the big box stores like Best Buy anymore, they can get it all here.”

Born in Maryland and raised in northern Virginia, Jennings had no choice but to get into the hospitality industry as his mother and father both were event managers. His brother is a lighting designer and his sister is a restaurant manager. His uncle is even a Grammy-award winning producer with artist Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Jennings got his start in the industry at 18 doing hotel parties, corporate events and concerts. He branched out into theater companies and worked with various entities in Washington D.C., Charlotte, North Carolina and Birmingham.

Jennings’ parents moved to Chilton County to be closer to his grandmother, and in 2014, he came down to visit them. He visited with no intention of staying, however, he loved it and his parents offered him some land to stay and he did not return to Washington D.C.

He established Monumental Technologies in 2020 as a home business but had his eye on the building on U.S. Highway 31 for a while. Jennings said he noticed Thorsby growing and the potential that was in the city’s buildings in downtown, and that was a huge draw for him to establish the business there.

In February, he pulled the trigger and got the building to move his home business to a brick and mortar store.

“We are happy to be a part of Thorsby,” Jennings said. “I think this will help the city of Thorsby, I think it will help Chilton County once people understand what we do, how we do it and who we are.”

Monumental Technologies can be found at 21212 U.S. Highway 31, Thorsby. For more information about the services or technology Monumental offers, contact Jennings at 334-544-0007 ext. 100.