Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo
The Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America was held February 23-25 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. Approximately 5,000 renewable energy professionals from 75 different countries attended with over 200 exhibitors to visit. The Conference and expo featured insightful discussions and presentations during technical sessions related to technology, markets, business strategies and policy covering the wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, ocean/tidal/wave, bio-power, bio-fuels hydrogen and energy sectors.
Prior to the show, Lee Lawson of Power South and Wiley Blankenship, President/ CEO of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA), made numerous calls to prospective opportunities in the renewable energy sector. As a result of this, they were able to generate 3 solid renewable energy manufacturing leads at the show. These companies do work similar to that of Southeast Renewable Energy (SRE), who recently chose the Florala/Lockhart area as the site of a new $55 million biomass power generation plant that will eventually employ approximately 16 fulltime employees. Webbing, Braids and Belting
Many site consultants claim that renewable energy is taking up a lot of their time. At the Economic Development Association of Alabama's (EDAA) 2010 Winter Conference King White, Founder and President of the Site Selection Group, mentioned that according to the Energy Information Administration, 2008, that energy projected from Bio Mass is expected to grow 150% in the next fifteen years.
Also, according to White, there are fifteen new solar energy manufacturing plants in the U.S. and three expansions. In the next fifteen years, energy projected from solar power is expected to grow by 300%.
To expound on this, The Business Expansion Journal (November/ December 2009) reported on a study by Greentech Media that found the solar panel manufacturing industry in the U.S. is expected to increase at a rate of 45 percent each year. Also, manufacturing capacity for solar cells will rise 50% each year, rising 3216 megawatts from 2008 to 2012.
With numbers like this, the solar manufacturing industry is clearly expanding. Alabamians should stay conscious of this expanding industry. |
|
Above/ right, Wiley Blankenship, President/ CEO of the CGEDA, is pictured with Tucson Rodgers, of the Covington County Economic Development Commision, at the 2010 Heli-Expo. Economic developers, like them, work together under the name South Alabama Aviation Advantage to get potential industries to look at our area. |
|
2010 Heli-Expo Excellent Opportunity for CGEDA
The 2010 Heli-Expo, the world's largest helicopter event, was held February 20-23 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. This event is put on by Helicopter Association International in order to advance the international helicopter industry among other things. Attendees are from over 81 countries. International attendees represent around 21% of total registration. This year, there were five-hundred and ninety-six exhibitors who showcased their products and services to more than 17,500 industry professionals.
Wiley Blankenship, President/ CEO of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA), met with an aerospace/aviation company two years ago at an Air Show in London. At the show, the company invited him and three other area economic developers to participate in an industry tour.
During the tour, the company pointed out products that they purchase from external companies to go into their final product. CGEDA immediately looked to local companies that could provide them with these products and shared their findings with the company.
As part of our ongoing communications, Blankenship met with the company at the Heli-Expo to revisit the idea of our local companies doing business with them. At their request, he has contacted two companies to arrange preliminary meetings for them to discuss their products and services.
The respective companies are: Nutex Manufacturing Co, who manufactures webbing, braids and belting in Brewton, AL; and Muskogee Metalworks in Atmore, AL, whose primary business is to design and manufacture metal fabricated hardware.
The aerospace/ aviation company is conducting an extensive decision making process but we are getting closer to fruition for locals to bid on it. If our region is able to secure the bid, local expansions and jobs would be created.
Blankenship said "A lot of people think that Coastal Gateway and other state economic developers attend conferences and expos to try and bring in new businesses to their local areas. In this case, it was to connect local companies to international business. We are taking care of existing industry in our region."
Blankenship made many other important aviation contacts at the Heli-Expo that have machining needs that could be fulfilled locally.
Opportunities in the Aerospace/ Aviation Industry in the Coastal Gateway Region
The Southeastern U.S. region is aggressively staking its claim in the global aerospace/ aviation industry (Global Corporate Expansion Magazine, Winter 2010). There are more than 330 aerospace/ aviation companies in Alabama alone. These companies do work in aviation, space and defense, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).
Alabama is part of the recently launched non-profit Aerospace Alliance between Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida that will establish the Gulf Coast and surrounding region as a world class aerospace, space and aviation corridor.
Alabama's Coastal Gateway region is in close proximity to pre-existing aviation opportunities and there is room for vast growth.
The aviation/ aerospace industry is a strong and growing industry in Mobile, AL. Mobile is home to the Brookley Complex which houses 100 companies. One example is ST Aerospace Mobile, an MRO with more than 1,300 employees. Other notable aerospace companies in Mobile include but are not limited to: Airbus North American Engineering Center, Teledyne Continental Motors, Goodrich Aerospace and Star Aviation. Regent Aerospace, the world's largest aircraft interiors MRO company, announced Friday, Feb. 26 that it will open a facility in Mobile, at Brookley Industrial Complex, adjacent to ST Aerospace Mobile. The area is also still closely watching Northrop Grumman Corp.
According to the Mobile Press Register, February 25th, the Pentagon reopened bidding on a potential $40 billion contract to assemble a new fleet of aerial refuleing tankers for the U.S. Air Force on Wednesday, February 24th. Mobile leaders are pushing for a dual buy. The Air Force recently stated that it is time to move ahead regardless of whether or not Northrop Grumman Corp. is a competitor for the deal.
Fort Rucker, AL, located 20 miles from Dothan, is the largest helicopter training installation in the world. It is also the home of the U.S. Army Aviation Branch and the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE). All army aviation training in the United States is done in Fort Rucker as well as training of ally and U.S. Air Force helicopter pilots. Fort Rucker employs over 8,000 military and civilian workers.
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services North America, an industry-leading, independent provider of MRO services for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft operators around the globe, is located in Andalusia, AL.
Prior to 2003, Andalusia had zero jobs in the aviation industry. Today, they have 108 with pay ranging from $18-$24 an hour.
Fort Rucker is located approximately 50 miles from Andalusia. Andalusia is located roughly 40 miles from the Coastal Gateway Region and Mobile is less than one hour away. The Coastal Gateway region has a great opportunity to build synergy if we stay involved in what is going on in Mobile, Andalusia and other areas nearby. We need to promote our local industrial parks and available buildings for aviation/ aerospace purposes. | |
Important New CGEDA Communications
In our efforts to better communicate with the Board of Directors, investors and supporters of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA), we are implementing several new communication pieces as well as making changes to existing communications.
CGEDA has determined three new means of communication: the new CGEDA Facebook Page, the Monthly Pipeline Report (MPR) and a monthly teleconference.
The CGEDA Facebook Page is up and running as another opportunity to help you keep in touch with us. Here you can view photos, news articles, happenings of our department throughout the year and regional events as they relate to economic development. We will also use Facebook as a venue for free branding/ advertisements and an additional way to drive people to our website.
There are twenty-three members on our page so far. We encourage you to join in and help spread the news about the Facebook Page. If you would like us to post specific information or include pictures from your region please contact info@cgeda.net. To see the page, please click here. We will update this page weekly or as situations occur.
Next, to better inform the board and investors what Coastal Gateway has done within the region in the past sixty days and to keep them abreast of current projects we will be sending out a Monthly Pipeline Report (MPR).
The information contained in this brief columned report will not be too detailed in nature to create competition, but will give recipients an idea of opportunities within their respective communities. This report will solely go to the Board of Directors, investors and elected officials. However, they are welcome to share this information with others. We have numerous projects we consider active and as needed we will add them to the report. Look for this report mid-month.
Last, CGEDA held its first ever teleconference for the Board of Directors on Wednesday, February 17th. This new means of communication will enable the board to remain knowledgeable of CGEDA happenings in-between board meetings and will allow them to keep our investors up to speed as well. This will be an ongoing monthly event.
You may be aware of the CGEDA's other methods of communication, but we have listed them below for your information. We have made some changes to them you may want to hear about.
The "From the Desk of the President" e-mail will now be sent out every Friday. Information will include but is not limited to: Coastal Gateway's recent activities; important trade show, expo, or conference information; and communication updates. Recipients include the Board of Directors, investors and elected officials.
Also, "Project Alerts" will continue to be sent to the local points of contact, providing them with information from the request for information (as is our current practice). We will also continue to brief the Board and elected officials with this information. This information will not be detailed in nature to avoid creating unnecessary competition and is sent out as it comes up.
"Gateway News", the CGEDA newsletter, will continue to be sent to all of our contacts. The newsletter will contain a detailed overview of CGEDA happenings from the past month, site consultant information, conference and expo information, recent news, etc. We have recently re-formatted the newsletter. It is sent out around the first of each month.
Last, "Coastal Newsflash" e-mails will continue to be sent out to all CGEDA contacts as needed in the form of a Public Service announcement or press release.
As a board member or supporter, we hope our communication efforts will assist you in understanding the CGEDA's happenings. We encourage you stay on top of these new methods and please give us your feedback. |
|
Site Selection Series
Benefits of Working with Site Selection Consultants in the Coastal Gateway Region
Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA) is frequently asked why it is important for us to work with site consultants within our region. Many investors and board members have asked questions about what exactly site consultants do. Therefore, we thought it would be worthwhile to publish a series in our newsletter about who site consultants are and how we work with them. This is one article of a three part series. We will continue the series as needed.
Site selection consultants basically help companies decide where to re-locate, build, or expand. They gather information from places of interest and analyze it before feeding it into an enterprise development project. Their data gathering and analysis is guided by very organized selection criteria. The range of things that site selectors do includes building and maintaining useful and reliable networks. According to the Business Expansion Journal, Nov/ Dec 2009, many site selection consultants claim that they are now busier than ever, despite the recession.
Many companies use site consultants because of the value they provide to them by: identifying suitable sites, addressing infrastructure needs and coordinating visits. They can also make confidential inquiries for the companies and provide an objective analysis of expansion and relocation opportunities.
Contrary to popular belief, site consultants do not only work with the relocation and expansion of large companies. In a survey conducted by Inside Indiana Business (http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/contributors.asp?id=1045#middle), site selection consultants claim that they work with companies of all sizes. The survey of projects worked on by site selection consultants during the past year, categorized by company size, revealed the following distribution:
· Companies with less than 100 employees: 25%
· Companies with 100-500 employees: 37%
· Companies with 500-1,000 employees: 31%
· Companies with more than 1,000 employees: 7% of all projects.
Site consultants are also seeing a trend in small businesses relocating to rural areas. Adam Gawarecki, Vice President / Business Development of the World Economic Development Alliance, said "I have seen a trend that many small businesses are looking to the rural areas for help. They can receive more assistance from the local communities. They can also keep away from the traffic congestion associated with larger cities while still being able to get their product into these markets. Last, many small businesses have come to realize that the rural areas are easier to maneuver to other markets as well. The ease of Distribution plays a major role in these rural communities that cannot otherwise be achieved with quicker response times if they were to locate in the larger metropolitan areas."
All of the facts above point to the reality that it is important for the Coastal Gateway region to continue to build and develop relationships with corporate site consultants in order to obtain new industries within our local areas. Look for more information regarding the benefits of working with a site consultant in our April newsletter.
Meet the Consultants
The Southern Economic Development Council, Inc. (SEDC) will host the third annual Meet the Consultants event at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL on March 18, 2010.
The event will feature panels of location consultants who will address trends and issues affecting many business sectors and their location decisions. Following the day-long meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to network with invited consultants at the reception. For more information regarding the event, visit www.sedc.org. |
|
Your Strategy In High Gear!
Coastal Gateway and National Community Development Services (NCDS) are currently facilitating stakeholder forums across the region to create an investor-stakeholder driven 5-year strategic plan in synergy with local economic development programs. Thanks to the efforts of Daryll Harper (Conecuh), Marshall Rogers (Escambia), Glen Haab (Monroe), Debra Mathews (Clarke), and Virginia Loftis (Choctaw) along with assistance from numerous other stakeholders, meetings have been and should continue to be strongly attended. Forum leadership participants, known as the Program Refinement Task Force, are providing valuable feedback and input into the creation of the plan. Task Force meetings in Conecuh and Escambia are complete. Choctaw and Clarke are scheduled for March 1 and March 3 respectively, followed by Monroe on March 11. The next step is to finalize the newly created strategy, then get the final plan document into the hands of Coastal Gateway stakeholders beginning in April 2010. Coastal Gateway, your regional partner in economic development, drives forward! |
|
Alabama Lifestyles Expo Offered Great Exposure to the Coastal Gateway Region 
Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA) sponsored a booth at the Alabama Lifestyles Expo in Orange Beach Thursday, February 11th, 2010. The local chambers of commerce were invited to participate in order to promote the tourism aspects of their communities.
There were 65 exhibitors who took the opportunity to showcase what sets them apart. Information shared with visitors included: places to see, things to do and healthy living. The Expo attracted almost 3,000 attendees with a makeup of people who are looking to re-locate, retire and tourists. Because the Coastal Gateway booth was heavily attended, our supply of promotional materials was depleted by 9:00 a.m.!
Participating area chambers for this year's expo were Marlo Anderson and Amy Prescott of the Southwest Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Sheryl Vickery with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Rogers with the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority and LaKesha Womack with the Evergreen/ Conecuh Chamber of Commerce.
Do You Know the Impact that Tourism Has on Alabama Annually?
According to the Alabama Tourism Department's Economic Impact Report, 2008, it is estimated that over 22 million people visited the State of Alabama during the year 2008. Travelers were estimated to have spent almost $9.6 billion representing a 3% increase over 2007. The report also states that in 2008 over $702 million of state and local tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism. Without this revenue, Alabama residents would have had to pay $404 in additional taxes to maintain current service levels. The total impact of the tourism and travel industry in 2008 was estimated at over $3.7 billion.
What Does this Mean for the Coastal Gateway Region?
Neal Wade, Director of the Alabama Development Office (ADO), recently commented at the Economic Development Association of Alabama's (EDAA) 2010 Winter Conference that tourism, retail and retirement is important to Alabamians and should be considered as an ongoing component of economic development.
The Coastal Gateway region is well-known for great architecture, delicious southern food, hospitality, gorgeous country landscapes, a rich agricultural and historical heritage and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Our region should continue to determine what sets them apart and also support local festivals and other attractions already set in place.
Here are just a few of the events and attractions from the counties in our region that we need to continue cross-promoting together: Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, Brewton Country Club and Williams Station Day in Escambia County; The Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum and Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary in Clarke County; the Conecuh Sausage Factory, Evergreen Sausage Festival and the Sepulga River Evergreen Alabama Water Trails in Conecuh County; the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge and Bladon Springs State Park in Choctaw County; and the Old Court House Museum and the Alabama River Museum in Monroe County.
By sponsoring the afore-mentioned Alabama Lifestyles Expo booth and through other ongoing promotions, CGEDA increases opportunities for our region's tourism revenue by working with the local chambers and cities. |
|
Swift Joins Coastal Gateway
Laurie Swift has joined Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority(CGEDA)
as the Director of Marketing Relations.
"Swift will oversee all aspects of Coastal's marketing and communication efforts
including internet oversight, product and print materials and all other program needs,"
said Coastal Gateway President Wiley Blankenship. "She brings experience in advertising, marketing, sponsorship and event coordination from the Greater Birmingham
Home Builder's Association. Please welcome her on board". Swift began her first week on the go at the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) 2010 Winter Conference in Birmingham, AL. where she met many state players and heard important information. Swift said that the conference "was a very valuable and eye opening experience".
Swift comes to Coastal Gateway from MailSouth, Inc., an integrated marketing solutions provider of print, digital and online media. After receiving a Bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in Communication and Information Sciences, Swift began her career as the Director of Sponsorships and Special Events at the non-profit trade association, the Greater Birmingham Home Builders.
Her background experience and a strong eagerness to help draw business to the area will benefit our organization and communities. |
CGEDA Board Meeting
The next CGEDA Board Meeting will be Wednesday, March 3rd at 2 p.m. at BankTrust on Hines Street in Monroeville, AL. | |
|
|
|
Featured Article
In our efforts to better communicate with the Board of Directors, investors and supporters of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority (CGEDA), we are implementing several new communication pieces as well as making changes to existing communications. Read more about CGEDA's communication efforts in the article below! |
|
