Opelika, Alabama

Opelika is a clean and attractive town, but lacks a downtown focal point or picturesque central plaza. The town has received several honors recently for its success in attracting new business. In 2004, Opelika was named one of the top 10 economic development groups in North America by Site Selection magazine and in 2005 the Economic Development Association of Alabama named Opelika the top community in Alabama for business recruitment. The Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area was recently named by Golf Digest as the #1 area for golf in the United States. One reason for this top ranking is that Opelika is home of the Robert Trent Jones Grand National golf course. The course hugs the edge of Lake Saugahatchee and was described by Jones as the "single greatest" site for a golf complex that he had ever seen.