The Chilton County Extension Center received quite the upgrade by adding a new sign at its location at 504 1st Ave. in downtown Clanton.

The sign is bigger and better in so many ways and clearly achieves its purpose of catching the attention of drivers passing by.

According to County Extension Coordinator Gay West, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System created a new logo several years ago and rotated portions of the state getting new signs at different times.

Chilton County was in one of the last groups, but it became official when the sign was erected on July 6.

“We knew it was coming,” West said. “After you see the new sign, you realize how worn the old sign was.”

The logos have been on the business cards and other items on the interior of the Extension office, but now they have the physical presence outside to accompany that.

“This will hopefully help people to see us and know where we are,” West said. “It’s about recognizing our logo when they see it.”

Throughout the design process the Extension office was able to use local businesses with C&C Trophy in Clanton creating the sign, while Mark’s Welding and Fabricating in Thorsby handled the framework.

“We’ve been working on this since Christmas, just trying to figure out what size frame to get,” West said.

Mark Jones is the owner of Mark’s Welding and Fabricating and was also a member of Alabama 4-H when he was growing up. Alabama 4-H is a popular program held throughout the statewide extension system.

“It’s good to have a fresh sign,” West said. “With the rocks and plants around, it kind of looks like it grew there.”