After former Alabama Supreme Court justice Mike Bolin was sworn in Monday as the newest Jefferson County commissioner, he touted the largest county by population as still the leading industrial center in the state.

“Other places in the state may claim that they’re getting population, like Huntsville, Madison County, Mobile and Baldwin County, but the biggest economic engine in the state is still Jefferson County,” Bolin said.

Jefferson County remains the most populous county in the state despite Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery passing Birmingham as the largest city.

“We want the county as a whole to be successful, and it is,” Bolin said. “Jefferson County is the largest economic engine in Alabama. Other places have got good populations and they’ve got good growth going, but they’re a long way from matching the economic engine that Jefferson County has. I want to keep us at the top. That means bringing in worthwhile businesses that provide good-paying jobs for our citizens that are already here, and bring more citizens in.”

Bolin retired from the state Supreme Court after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

“I wasn’t going to stay retired,” Bolin said. “I served the law, and that’s very important in a democracy, but to serve the citizens here, that’s what I really want to do at this point in my life.”

Bolin won the special election held July 18 to replace former Jefferson County commissioner Steve Ammons, who left to become CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Bolin, also a former probate judge for Jefferson County, drew an overflow crowd to the swearing-in ceremony that included State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, several sitting state Supreme Court justices, Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry and a host of other state and local officials, judges and attorneys. Retired Jefferson County District Judge John Alsbrooks administered the oath.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Jay Mitchell introduced Bolin. “Mike knows that there are challenges and he also knows there are tremendous opportunities on the horizon,” Mitchell said.

Jefferson County remains the most influential county in the state and Bolin’s leadership will be critical, Mitchell said.

“Our region has a larger GDP than the Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery metro areas combined, nearly a $1 billion annual budget here in Jefferson County, overseeing thousands of county employees,” Mitchell said. “Mike is up for the challenge.”