Many of the communities hit hard by the April 27 tornadoes have started the recovery process and are looking at rebuilding their towns from the destruction and devastation that took place nearly three months ago.

The Phil Campbell Recovery Committee, which is a group of citizens dedicated to tornado recovery in Phil Campbell, is partnering with the state of Alabama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to host a long-term recovery workshop so residents of Phil Campbell can give their input for rebuilding the town to be even safer and stronger than it was before the tornadoes hit.

Charles Smith, a long-time Phil Campbell resident who is part of the committee, said community participation is key to the success in developing a long-term recovery plan for rebuilding the town.

At the workshop, community members can learn what long-term community recovery is, have the opportunity to voice their hopes and vision for the future development of their community, and outline the next steps for the way forward.

“We need citizens who are interested in seeing our town get back on its feet to come to this meeting and bring their ideas,” Smith said.

“There will be subcommittees for things like the school, economics and beautification so if people have specific ideas for those types of things they can give there input there as well.”

The meeting will take place on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the new SUB Building on the Northwest-Shoals Community College’s Phil Campbell campus. A free dinner hosted by the Salvation Army will precede the meeting at 5:30 p.m.