State of Alabama
Alabama Economic Development Alliance
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: |
Taylor Williams
(334) 241-7372 |
Input from Alabama stakeholders needed
MONTGOMERY, AL (August 25, 2011) –The Alabama Economic Development Alliance (Alliance), a group created in July 2011 by executive order of Governor Robert Bentley, brings various agencies/organizations together that are currently involved in economic development activities in the state. The Alliance announced today that it has engaged Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA), an economic development consulting firm, to develop a Strategic Economic Development Plan for the state of Alabama, known as “Accelerate Alabama”. This plan will ensure a well-balanced, comprehensive, aggressive and progressive economic development program for the state over the next five years in order to make Alabama the most competitive it can be from an economic development perspective.
“The Accelerate Alabama plan will allow us to more effectively use our job creation and workforce development assets. It is of great importance because economic development efforts impact every Alabamian,” stated Alliance Chair Seth Hammett.
The plan, which is expected to be completed by late December 2011, will include the identification of targeted business sectors for the state, along with strategic recommendations designed to position Alabama for economic development success based on its key assets for business and industry.
In addition to thorough research conducted by BSA, input from a broad cross-section of stakeholders will also be a key component of developing this plan for the state of Alabama. A series of visioning sessions will be held across the state, which will be led and facilitated by BSA, to allow stakeholders from throughout the state to participate in the process. During these meetings, BSA will give participants an opportunity to share their thoughts and vision for the future of economic development in Alabama and obtain their perspectives on a variety of issues impacting preparation of this plan.
Alabama Development Office Director Greg Canfield said, “I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in the economic future of Alabama to attend at least one visioning session. This plan will ensure ADO remains competitive and we want input from everyone.”
“Foremost, we want this process to be inclusive. The citizens of Alabama have great ideas and we want to incorporate them into the Accelerate Alabama plan,” stated EDPA President Bill Taylor.
Dates, times and locations of the seven economic development visioning sessions are as follows:
City |
Venue and Address |
Proposed Dates |
Proposed Time |
Anniston |
Anniston City Meeting Center
1615 Noble Street
Anniston, AL 36201 |
Tuesday, September 13th |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Birmingham |
Federal Reserve Bank
524 Liberty Parkway Vestavia Hills, AL 35242 |
Wednesday, September 14th |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Demopolis |
Demopolis Civic Center
501 N Commissioners Ave. Demopolis, AL 36732 |
Thursday, September 15th |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Mobile |
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
451 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602 |
Wednesday, September 21st |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Dothan |
Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
102 Jamestown Boulevard Dothan, AL 36301 |
Thursday, September 22nd |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Huntsville |
Huntsville/Madison Co. Chamber of Commerce
225 Church Street
Huntsville, AL 35801 |
Monday, September 26th |
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Montgomery |
The Small Business Resource Center
600 South Court Street
Montgomery, AL 36104 |
Tuesday, September 27th |
10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Alabama residents are also encouraged to complete a confidential online survey that can be accessed at the following link: http://boyette-sa.alabama-residents.sgizmo.com/s3/
Alliance member and Executive Director of the Gadsden-Etowah County IDA Mike McCain said, “We are going across the state to listen. Input from all regions of Alabama is needed for us to be successful.”
Additional information about the strategic planning process can be found at:
www.AccelerateAlabama.com.
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