Escambia Peanut Company, LLC held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 18th. Read more in our

 featured article!

"For Life out Here". That's the marketing phrase used by Tractor Supply Company to promote their stores as a unique marketplace for rural communities. Most of us will agree that life, out here, in rural Alabama presents unique challenges and opportunities; especially, in our efforts to promote sustainable economic development.

There was recently an article on al.com that quantified the disparity in economic development success in Alabama between urban and suburban areas and rural communities. Not surprisingly, the majority of economic activity takes place in Alabama's metropolitan areas. Most rural communities are not sharing in that success.  Population, transportation, and an abundance of developed publicly owned industrial sites are all economic development advantages enjoyed in our state's population centers.

What can be done in rural Alabama to compete with not only locations in other states but larger communities within Alabama? A regional approach to development is an effective and efficient solution. When you consider that 52 of Alabama's 67 counties are classified as rural, the need for a regional approach becomes even more apparent. 

When companies considering a location analyze demographic information they consider population as a key indicator of workforce availability. When a rural county is considered as a potential site their population is invariably considered a detriment. However, when a community is part of a regional economic development effort the company's concern can be mitigated. The combined population of Coastal Gateway's 5 counties (over 115,000), coupled with existing commuting patterns, makes the region competitive for most projects.

Additionally, the absence of educational institutions in rural communities is often an insurmountable negative. However, when you consider that our region is home to several educational institutions, this reality provides us with a distinct advantage. Jefferson Davis Community College, Alabama Southern Community College, and Reid State Technical College are all part of the Alabama Community College System and play an integral role in workforce development. These institutions, as well as Alabama State University, are making efforts to further align themselves with K-12 systems across the region to ensure that companies locating in the region will find a qualified and competent workforce.

Transportation infrastructure is critical to our region's economic development success and we are fortunate to have I-65 and Hwy. 43 providing north-south corridors in our region. Our proximity to the Port of Mobile, excellent rail service provided by two main line railroads and the flexibility afforded by several short-line rail companies are tangible assets. However, the absence of a four-lane east-west corridor will be an ongoing obstacle to truly sustainable economic development efforts. This unfortunate reality makes the efforts to improve Highway 84 (El Camino East/ West Corridor) critical to our efforts. We can market the potential but we must have a regional commitment to see this project brought to fruition. 

We have excellent industrial parks in the Coastal Gateway region and many of these parks are home to speculative buildings that are generating economic development "traffic". We must continue our efforts to ensure that adequate infrastructure is present at these sites and that our community leadership is willing to continue to invest in improving these valuable assets. 

Certainly, there is inequity in economic development success in Alabama and that inequity is a challenge we can meet together as a region. Coastal Gateway will be the leader in meeting that challenge now and in the years to come. We know how good "Life out Here" is and that is an asset that sets rural Alabama apart.  

A ground breaking ceremony was held March 25th at Liberty Hill Park.

The ground breaking ceremony for Liberty Hill Park, located at Exit 96 on I-65 was held on March 25^th, 2013. The project is a joint economic development effort between the City of Evergreen and Conecuh County. The Board of the Evergreen-Conecuh Capital Improvement Cooperative District is directing the project.

In late 2011, the City of Evergreen began to purchase land adjacent to Interstate exits 96 (Liberty Hill) and 84 (Fairview). Strategies were established to bring in businesses, with an emphasis on commercial retail. According to Evergreen economic development director Bobby Skipper, the idea behind the project was that if the quality of life was improved by increasing the domestic consumer base, that population trends would reverse and industry would also find the area more appealing due to a larger, more skilled workforce to pull from.

Skipper said that by late 2012, over five new businesses, including The Shrimp Basket, had signed agreements by letter of intent to locate at the property.

The Shrimp Basket held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in January 2013. According to The Evergreen Courant, Weaver's Apparel & Fine Jewelry, based in Brewton, will locate a second store at the development. An official signing ceremony was held on April 24th. Weaver's sells upper-end men's and women's clothing, jewelry and children's wear. As reported by Skipper, other clients who have signed commitments to locate in Liberty Hill Park include a grocery store, a clothing store, a sporting goods store, and a hotel. Each of those clients are scheduled to make public announcements in the second quarter of this year.  "I expect us to receive additional commitments throughout the year," said Skipper.

The development will also have a water fountain that can be seen from the interstate. The fountain will spray a twenty foot stream of water into the air, and be lit by LED lights.

For leasing information, contact the Evergreen-Conecuh Development Office at (251) 578-1000 or the Evergreen-Conecuh Chamber of Commerce at (251) 578-1707.

The Monroeville / Monroe County Economic Development Authority (MMCEDA) is in the process of developing a strategic plan that will align with Accelerate Alabama, the state's strategic economic development growth plan.

MMCEDA's strategic plan, like Accelerate Alabama, is organized around three key economic development drivers defined as:

-          Recruitment: Programs that focus on the attraction of new business and industry.

-          Retention: Programs that focus on the retention and expansion of existing business and industry and workforce development.

-          Renewal: Programs that focus on job creation through innovation, entrepreneurship, tourism, research and development, and commercialization.

A local steering committee along with representatives from the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) has met and is in the process of drafting the strategic plan. Three subcommittees have been formed, each focusing on a specific economic driver, and according to Glen Haab, Executive Director of MMCEDA, the process is underway.

"This strategic planning process has allowed us to bring citizens, educators, and business leaders to the table and discuss specific issues facing Monroeville/Monroe County. These individuals are extremely passionate about the success for Monroeville/Monroe County, and the committees are continuing to look for innovative ways to bring jobs to the area, support local business and industry, and improve the quality of life for the residents of our county," said Haab.

The Coastal Gateway region currently has industry in four of the six sectors.

To view the Accelerate Alabama executive summary, click here.

To view the full report, click here.

One of our goals at the CGEDA is to have everyone in our region know who we are and what we do. That includes knowing our board members. Because our board is constantly growing, we will continue highlighting board members in Gateway News, so that you will know who is representing the region. This month, we would like to introduce Mayor James Levon Hicks of Grove Hill.

About Mayor Hicks

I was born on November 16, 1939 to Ethel and Jim Hicks. We lived in a small community east of Grove Hill. My brother, Billy, was born three years later and our sister, Clarice, was born in 1945.

We were very poor during the early years of our lives but we didn't know the difference. Everyone had a hard time during that period in history. In 1945, I started school in Grove Hill. We rode to school in a pickup truck with a body built on the back.

In the 50's we moved near Walker Spring, where I attended a two room school for several years. In the seventh grade, I had to go to Jackson to school.

After I finished school, I went to work for Mr. Cleo Furr in a grocery store in Jackson. As he expanded his number of stores, I moved to Theodore to manage his store. He bought two other grocery stores in Mobile and I helped manage them.

During this time I joined the Alabama National Guard where I served in the reserve for eight years. We were a floating bridge company and I was ranked as an E5. We had monthly meetings and attended a two week summer training camp. We were also activated when there was flooding of rivers and we could be of service.

In 1963, I moved back to Clarke County to manage Mr. Furr's store in Grove Hill. The next year I married Helen Wright from Jackson. We moved to Grove Hill where we have lived for almost 50 years. We have two married daughters and five grandchildren.

We attend Jackson Church of Christ where I serve as an elder. My wife teaches bible classes and I fill in as a speaker when needed.

In 1971, I became a member of the Grove Hill Fire Department and have enjoyed helping the people in my community. In 1990, I was selected as Fireman of the Year. I'm still a member of the Fire Department.

I belong to the Grove Hill Lion's Club where we perform service projects for the citizens of our community. We provide glasses for people who cannot afford them and support Camp Seal Harris, a camp for young people with diabetes. We also collect old eye glasses and send them to places who need them for their citizens.

I went to work with Golden Flake Snack Foods in 1970 where I worked for about 35 years. I was a route salesman then a district supervisor. I retired from Golden Flake in 2002.

I ran for Town Councilman in my district in 2004 and won. During this four year term, I served on the hospital board, water board, personnel board and was Mayor Pro-Tem for Mayor Lamar Hudson.

In 2008, I was re-elected as Town Councilman for my district. Again, I served on the hospital board, personnel board and Mayor Pro-Tem under Mayor Jerry Newton.

After much persuasion from the citizens of Grove Hill, I ran for Mayor of Grove Hill in 2012. I was honored to be selected for this office. I enjoy serving the citizens of my community and helping to make our town a better place in which to live.

About Grove Hill

Grove Hill is the county seat of Clarke County and home of the Clarke County Museum.

Before settlers came in the early 1800's, what is now Grove Hill was inhabited by the Choctaw Indians. The first known white settlement in the area was near Magoffin's Store on the north side of town. The county seat of Clarke County was located here in 1832 because the spot was most central to the rest of the county. Known variously as Smithville, then Macon, the name Grove Hill was selected around 1850 for the large grove of oak trees on the plateau. The town was officially incorporated and chartered in 1929. To find out more about the history of Grove Hill, please visit The Clarke County Historical Museum.

Grove Hill's business development in town ranges from nationally known stores to unique individually owned stores. Fast food restaurants are available or you can dine in at any of the locally owned dining facilities. Lodging, farm supplies, automotive parts, jewelry, groceries, appliances, antiques, and more can be found in Grove Hill. A new Family Dollar Store is being built in town as well as a McDonalds.

Grove Hill is located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 43 & 84 making it a prime location for transport and other industry.

The timber industry is the backbone of Grove Hill and Clarke County's economy. Major employers include area paper mills, sawmills and wood products dealers and harvesters. Grove Hill is home to one church furniture manufacturing companies and a producer of cypress and cedar mulch. Several trucking companies operate out of the Grove Hill area.

Public Education is provided by the Clarke County School System. Located in Grove Hill are Clarke County High School (grades 9 through 12), Wilson Hall Middle School (grades 5 through 8), and Grove Hill Elementary School (grades K though 4). There is one private school in Grove Hill. Clarke Prep School provides education for grades K through 12.

The S.P. Hudson Park and Recreation Facility is open to the public with seven ball fields, a walking trail, basketball court, playground, lighted pavilion, restrooms, practice batting cage, two concession stands and more.  The town has a full time recreation director.  Spring, summer and fall programs are offered for youths and adults at the park.  The Timberlane Club is a private club requiring a paid membership.  It offers a full size pool, children's pool, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, and picnic area with gas grills.

The town is also home to Grove Hill Public Library, a World War II memorial library. The library, renovated in 2007, offers an excellent genealogy section, Wifi access and eBooks.

South Alabama Infirmary, now Grove Hill Memorial Hospital, was founded in 1949, by Dr. Ralph Dewey Neal, Sr. The hospital name was changed in 1961. A new hospital was constructed in 1970. GHMH continues to be licensed for 50 beds and is owned by the Town of Grove Hill. GHMH serves patients in Clarke and surrounding counties. GHMH owns and operates clinics in Grove Hill, Fulton and Coffeeville. For more information on the hospital, please click here.

About 150 writers, scholars and community leaders attended the Alabama Writers Symposium's awards banquet at the Monroeville Community House April 26th to honor Gay Talese and Dr. Sue Walker.

Talese, 81, received the Harper Lee Award for Alabama's Distinguished Writer, and Walker received the Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama's Distinguished Literary Scholar.

Talese accepting his award. Photo courtesy of Mike Qualls.

In 1953, after graduating from the University of Alabama with a journalism degree, Talese accepted a job as a copy boy for The New York Times. In 1964, he published his first book, "The Bridge: The Building of the Verranazo-Narrows Bridge."

Two years later, he wrote the article, "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold," for Esquire magazine. The article is considered to be one of the most influential American magazine articles of all time, and a pioneering example of new journalism and creative non-fiction.

More recently, in 2008, The Library of America selected Talese's 1970 account of the Charles Manson murders, "Charlie Manson's Home on the Range," for inclusion in its two-century retrospective of American True Crime. He went on to write numerous books and articles during his career and is still an active writer.

The Harper Lee Award recognizes the lifetime achievement of a writer who was born in Alabama or whose literary career developed in the state. The recipient must be a writer of national reputation whose work has been recognized by critics, publishers and editors as clearly superior. Evidence of such may be publications in major magazines and literary journals and books published with major houses or reputable smaller literary presses. In addition, the recipient should have received awards, prizes and other accolades from recognized experts in the field of literary arts. This annual award, funded by George F. Landegger, includes a $5,000 cash prize and The Clock Tower Bronze by Frank Fleming.

Harper Lee is the author of one of the best-loved classics of all time, "To Kill a Mockingbird." Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville. She attended local schools and the University of Alabama. She has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, several honorary degrees, and many other literary awards.

Walker is the Stokes Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at the University of South Alabama and Director of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing. She was also the Poet Laureate of Alabama from 2003 through 2012.

Walker at the symposium. Photo courtesy of Mike Qualls.

She is a scholar, poet, playwright, professor and publisher of Negative Capability Press. She has nine books of poetry, has edited four national literary anthologies, had work published in more than 30 anthologies, published some 50 critical articles and is known for her work on southern writers Carson McCullers, Flannery O'Connor and James Dickey as well as published works on Marge Piercy, Margaret Atwood, Richard Eberhart and Karl Shapiro.

Her forthcoming book, "The Chiasmic Ecology of James Dickey" will be published this year by Mellen Press.

She is a graduate of the University of Alabama where she received a B.S. degree in Education and subsequent M.Ed, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Tulane University.

The annual Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama's Distinguished Literary Scholar recognizes and rewards Alabamians who have distinguished themselves as men or women of letters, specifically in scholarly reflection and writing on literary topics. This annual award, which is also funded by Landegger, includes a $5,000 cash prize and The Clock Tower Bronze by Frank Fleming.

Sponsor of this year's symposium were Alabama Southern Community College, George Landegger, Alabama Humanities Foundation, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Radley's Fountain Grille and the City of Monroeville.

The symposium is a project of the Alabama Center for Literary Arts, which is located at Alabama Southern, and is produced in cooperation with the Alabama Writers' Forum, Association of College English Teachers of Alabama, Auburn University Center for the Arts and Humanities, Monroe County Heritage Museums and Monroeville/Monroe County Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year's featured writers and scholars include Rick Bragg, Gay Talese, Cassandra King, Chantel Acevedo, Marlin Barton, Kirk Curnutt, Anita Miller Garner, Peter Huggins, Nancy Dorman-Hickson, Jay Lamar, Lisa Graves Minor, Don Noble, Wendy Reed, Jeanie Thompson, Adam Vines, Sue Walker, Lila Quintero Weaver and Margaret Wrinkle, as well as songwriter Tom Kimmel and artist Betty Kennedy.

Qualls, Mike. "Symposium honors two". The Monroe Journal (Monroeville) 2 May 2013, Page 1 & 8.  

Elected officials and CGEDA Board members at the orientation. Photo courtesy of Connie Baggett.

Elected officials from a 5-county area including Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe, were recently given some vital tools and knowledge to aid them in effective economic development leadership, and to help build mutually-supportive relationships with their local and statewide economic developers.

Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance (CGEDA) held an Elected Officials Economic Development Orientation at Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton, AL on Wednesday, February 27th at 9 a.m. An orientation was also held on January 29th at the Thomasville Civic Center.

Elected officials and members of the CGEDA Board of Directors were invited to attend the event. With an attendance of around 30 people, CGEDA welcomed guests to discuss the important role of local elected officials in economic development. Around 45 people attended the previous event in Thomasville.

Jim Searcy, Executive Director of CGEDA said, "The focus of the orientation was to recognize the importance of communities developing an economic development process and the key role that public officials play in the process. The purpose of this event is to (1) ensure that our collective efforts as a region are consistent and complementary and (2) create the best environment for accomplishing our common goal of creating jobs and prosperity for the citizens of the region and generations to come."

Topics discussed included: incentives for new & existing industry in the region; the importance of community strategic planning for economic development; worker training for new, expanding and existing business; and the necessity of a regional approach to economic development.

Speakers included: Greg Canfield, Secretary of Commerce, Alabama Department of Commerce; Jim Searcy, Executive Director, CGEDA; Angela Till, Abatement Program Administrator for the Alabama Department of Revenue; Gary Weaver, Assistant Director, AIDT; and Jim Byard, Jr., Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Commerce Secretary Canfield stressed the importance of establishing strong regional partnerships to increase economic development activity and market the region's strengths.

"When communities work together through strategic economic development, they can better leverage the region's assets, improving job creation and bringing other positive results on a larger scale. Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance has taken the best path to economic prosperity for the region by working together to forge these partnerships."

Byard said "As a former mayor, I know that strong partnerships are a vital part of successful economic development. Today I was pleased to join officials from southwest Alabama to discuss ADECA programs and to let them know that my department will assist in every way it can to strengthen their communities and advance our common goal of bringing new jobs to Alabamians".

The event was sponsored by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.  

The Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance Facebook Page is another good opportunity to help us keep in touch with you. Here you can view photos, happenings of the Alliance throughout the year and regional events as they relate to economic development.

There are almost 130 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 visit or join the page: click here.

CGEDA is also on Twitter! Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date on news in the region! To follow us on Twitter: click here.