Bozeman, Robert. "Knud Nielsen Co. celebrates 100 years." The Evergreen Courant (Evergreen) 3 October 2013, Page 1A.

People often overlook the economic impact retail development can have in a rural region. But, it is arguably one area that can provide a notable boost in tax revenues and create much-needed jobs in areas with high levels of unemployment.

A primary goal in economic development is to improve a community's assets in order to attract interested investors. While retail attractions have not always traditionally been a focus of economic developers, state leaders are beginning to put a rejuvenated focus on retail recruitment. Throughout the 5-county region of Coastal Gateway, many initiatives are underway to spur additional retail development.

While Coastal Gateway's principle focus is advocating expansion and new recruitment, our cities, counties, local economic development allies and chambers of commerce are doing great work in retail as the economy begins to spring back.

A prime example is Rivercane Development in Atmore, AL, a 740-acre mixed-use development, located on Highway 21, about five miles north of Atmore at I-65 on Exit 57. Rivercane was announced on May 22nd, 2006 by previous Atmore Mayor Howard Shell. On that day, Mayor Shell said, "For many years to come, the initial impression of the City of Atmore will be generated once people exit I-65 here at Rivercane. We want that impression to be one of a progressive and first class city."

Since that announcement was made, three restaurants and two hotels have located at Rivercane including a McDonald's, Waffle House, Hardees, Holiday Inn & a Hampton Inn. Two new developments are underway, including a fast food establishment and a hotel. Once these two new clients' contracts have closed, over 300 jobs will have been created by Rivercane development.

Despite those kinds of numbers being posted by retail developments, more public attention is typically focused on new industry and the figures they can generate.

The City of Atmore, Atmore Industrial Development Board, and Escambia County Industrial Development Authority have worked tirelessly to bring jobs to the area. Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance works to market Rivercane along with the previously listed allies.The primary goal in the development of Rivercane was to generate tax revenue in order to meet the needs of the City of Atmore. The first step in meeting this goal will soon be realized.

Richard Maxwell, Chairman of the Atmore Industrial Development Board, said that pending the opening of two new establishments, "The sales and lodging taxes generated by the businesses will enable the City to service the debt on the entire Rivercane development".

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said, "After the debt has been serviced, Rivercane will be able to expand and make way for new additional properties for sale".

Rivercane was developed just before the real estate market declined. Despite that fact, it has been able to attract multiple businesses. Going forward, city officials feel very positive about the growth of the development. The collaboration between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) and the City will only further increase the activity in the area.

The City and PCI are working on several joint ventures and together cross-promoting their developments. Maxwell said, "The two entities realize that their goals align and understand that success for one is a success for all."

PCI has just opened their new entertainment complex which is located directly in front of Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, across from Rivercane Development. The state-of-the-art 65,000 sq. ft facility features Wind Creek Cinema, an 8-screen all digital and 3D capable movie theater. The entertainment complex also includes Overtime Sports Bar, a 125-seat restaurant; Yo.Joe, a self-serve yogurt and coffee bar; and Strikes Bowling alley, a 16-lane bowling alley. Additionally, the complex includes a 45-game arcade with games for all ages.

Monroeville has been selected as a host city for The Alabama Bass Trail bass-fishing tournament May 9-10 for amateur anglers.

"We are excited to be chosen as a host city," said Mayor Mike Kennedy. "It will certainly provide an economic boost for the area's hotels, restaurants and stores."

Gov. Robert Bentley announced the new fishing tournament series, The Alabama Bass Trail, recently. The Alabama Bass Trail was established in 2012 to help promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination and to encourage more anglers to enjoy the state's natural resources.

Bass fishing lakes in Alabama often host professional tournaments. The amateur tournament series will encourage even more people to fish where the pros fish.

The 11 lakes that form the Alabama Bass Trail are Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River (Millers Ferry), Lake Eufaula and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

The tournament on May 9-10 will be held at Miller's Ferry. Registration will start May 8 at Alabama Southern Community College's Nettles Auditorium in Monroeville.

"I thank (ASCC President) Dr. (Reginald) Sykes for allowing the registration to be held at Nettles Auditorium," said Kennedy. "We're anticipating a large turnout for the event."

The Alabama Bass Trail tournament series actually starts in February and the team-style tournament series will be held on 11 of the Alabama Bass Trail lakes. Attracting amateur anglers from across the southeastern U.S., each tournament is expected to have about a $500,000 economic impact for host cities.

"Alabama is a great state for fishing," Bentley said. "We have professional tournaments here on a regular basis. The goal of this amateur tournament is simple. We want to encourage more people to fish where the pros fish. The Alabama Bass Trail was established to help us share our lakes and rivers with more people. When more people come to our lakes and rivers that increases tourism. And, when tourism increases, that benefits our local and state economies."

The tournament trail will feature two divisions: Northern and Southern. Each division is made up of five tournaments on five different lakes. Each tournament will have a $10,000 guaranteed first-place prize and will pay 20 places.

Qualls, Mike. "City will host bass tourney." The Monroe Journal (Monroeville) 4 October 2013, Page 1A & 8A.

Photo by Arthur McLean.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley came to Sunny South in late August to tour for the first time the manufacturing plant under construction by Golden Dragon Precise Copper Precise Tube Group, also known as GD Copper.

The massive plant under construction is expected to employ more than 300 people and there is talk of a second phase that could further expand manufacturing at the site and add several hundred more jobs.

Bentley was joined by state director for USDA Rural Development Rodney Davis, Chris Masingill Delta Regional Authority - federal co-chairman, Jim Byard - director of ADECA, Keith Weil - Vice President of GD Copper (USA) and Roger Zhang - President of GD Copper (USA) Inc.

 "We're glad to be a part of the community," Weil said. Golden Dragon has 11 factories and the one under construction in Sunny South is the company's second outside of China. It specializes in copper tubing products used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
 

The site has been under construction for about one year. The building encompasses 500,000 square feet. "We hope to have production on our first line by the end of this year," Weil said. "This is a perfect example of folks working together to make a project happen."

Weil thanked the organizations and officials that have had a hand in bringing the project to live in Wilcox County.

Bentley said the second day he was in office, he met with the leaders of Golden Dragon. "We were able to form a relationship and recruit this company thanks to all of you working together," Bentley said. "I'm so proud I can see what is being accomplished. When you look and see all this steel all this concrete here, 90 percent of this is from the state of Alabama...so not only are people being helped here, they're being helped all over the state."
 

Bentley said he even spoke of Golden Dragon and Wilcox County at a recent event regarding Airbus.

Masingill said the GD Copper project is proof that "we can create jobs in rural counties."

Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission Director John Clyde Riggs said Golden Dragon opens the door to more opportunities and Chinese manufacturers often like to cluster close together.

With the Golden Dragon plan taking about 30 acres, there are 70 acres left for development in the Thomasville-West Wilcox industrial Park and Riggs said some adjoining land owners have indicated that they would be willing to sell property for further industrial development.

"Pine Hill also has an excellent site at the former airport," Riggs said. "So the availability of good land is here."

Riggs also said $11 million in infrastructure improvements has been invested by state and federal agencies with no matching funds required of Wilcox County.

"We've had tremendous support from the Delta Regional Authority, ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs), ALDOT; most of the time when you have industrial projects, you have matching funds, but they have waived those requirements given the critical need here in Wilcox County and the Governor has been so supportive.

McLean, Arthur. "Governer visits GD Copper." The Thomasville Times (Thomasville) 5 September 2013, Page 1A & 3A.

Nanjing Zijin-Lead Electronic Co. ltd of China donated a $10,000 3D printer to Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville in September during a 3D printing seminar and demonstration at the college.

The SoZo Group, based in Hong Kong, sponsored the program; "Rethink Manufacturing with 3D Printing." It included an introduction to the commercialization of this new technology, a real machine demonstration and information to showcase the operation and concept of 3D printing.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape with virtually any material from a digital model. The process will allow production of single items, where in the past, economies of scale dictated or influenced what was made, stocked and used, and will allow more complex and multi material items to be produced, further opening the door for truly innovative offering.

Graham Tromans, one of the world's leading experts on the technology and Britain's leading consultant in additive manufacturing, spoke on the status of the technology's commercialization and new innovations. Tromans is the principal consultant and president of G.P. Tromans Associates, and has over 24 years experience in automotive, aerospace, medical and consumer goods applications.

Nanjing Zijin-Lead Electronic Co. ltd is one of the leading manufacturers of 3D printers. Zijin-Lead has worked closely with educational and technical training centers to develop innovative uses for the technology as well as to train a workforce prepared to utilize this new way of making product.

SoZo Group is an investment advisory company working to create sustainable jobs by bridging business and cultural gaps between China and the U.S. SoZo introduces investments from China to suitable communities in the U.S. to drive local economic development.

The 3D seminar is a precursor to the first U.S.-China Manufacturing Symposium to be held in Dothan Nov. 10-12. Visit www.ucmsd.com for more information.

The company also made a visit and presentation in Thomasville. A 3-D printer was donated to Alabama Southern in Thomasville and the city schools.

Qualls, Mike. "Chinese company donates 3D printer." The Monroe Journal (Monroeville) 12 September 2013.

Photo courtesy of Will Hoyle with The South Alabamian

There is a new industry in Jackson. With Boise Cascade subleasing some of its property out to new and upcoming corporations, Cox Aggregate is now hauling Glen Bradford's surplus of gravel to the Florida panhandle. The Port Authority, Industry Board and the City of Jackson are working in a collective effort to bring more industry and more jobs to the Jackson area.

Last week, 6,000 tons of gravel was dumped onto a barge sailing for Panama City. Four barges were loaded in a 24-hour period. Cox Aggregate began hauling two weeks ago and looks to provide Jackson with another avenue of revenue.

The gravel is scooped up from a surplus pile and dumped onto a conveyer belt that pours it into a barge. The barge is then navigated along the Tombigbee River in order to reach its destination.

Hoyle, Will. "Gravel Starts moving through Jackson port." The South Alabamian (Jackson) 24 October, 2013, Page 1A & 5A.

Kiplinger's ranks Alabama the No. 6 most tax-friendly state in new interactive map

Business and personal finance magazine Kiplinger's has ranked Alabama No. 6 on its list of most tax-friendly states in a new online interactive map. For more information, click here.

Thomasville sold rural life to land Chinese manufacturer

Representatives from three Alabama cities have made two lengthy trips to China in hopes of luring jobs to their communities. A task once left to the state has now become a responsibility of local government. Thomasville, a rural town of 4,400 in southwest Alabama, helped land a major Chinese manufacturer and 500 jobs. For more information, please click here.

Clarke county schools form partnership with local businesses

The Career Technical Departments from Clarke County schools and Thomasville City Schools are partnering this year with an Advisory Council filled with leaders from throughout the county. The goal is to connect the schools' CT Programs to the needs of local industries and prepare students for high-paying area jobs.

Alabama Southern Receives Awards for Print and Marketing Materials

Alabama Southern Community College received eight awards at the Alabama Community College System Public Relations Association (ACCSPRA) Pyramid Awards Brunch on September 5 in Orange Beach. Alabama Southern received two Pyramid Awards, two Award of Merit ribbons and four Award of Achievement ribbons. Pyramid Awards were presented for the "Top Ten Reasons to Attend Alabama Southern" single sheet flier and 2012 Alabama Writers Symposium brochure.

Award of Merit ribbons were awarded for the 2011-2012 ASCC Viewbook and print advertising in the Press-Register. Award of Achievement ribbons were awarded for the 2012 newspaper ad series, Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) postcards, 2012 ASCC Annual Report and online advertising on www.Al.com. The ACCSPRA's Pyramid Awards Brunch is held each year to honor public relations, marketing and recruitment departments within the Alabama Community College System.

Energex holds job fair

Energex Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group held a job fair in Thomasville at the Thomasville Civic Center on September 17th. Around 420 applications & interviews were conducted.

Evergreen projects on track

Plans for a new grocery store and wood products related manufacturing plant are still on track in Evergreen. Furthermore, Evergreen Mayor Pete Wolff and economic developer Bobby Skipper traveled to Colorado in late October to meet with an additional manufacturing company that may possibly announce moving their operations to Evergreen in November.

Fire serves best steak

It's no bull; Wind Creek Casino and Hotel's Fire Steakhouse is home to a state-champion steak. The Alabama Cattlemen's Association honored the restaurant with the award of "Alabama's Best Steak" at a presentation Tuesday afternoon. For more information, please click here.

Dollar General in Butler

Butler is getting a new expanded Dollar General at the Old Butler Elementary School location .  

Georgia-Pacific's Naheola mill donates to classroom initiative

GP's Naheola Mill donated $15,000 to the Choctaw County Board of Education's 21st Century Classroom initiative.

Alabama rolls out a (tattered?) red carpet for companies

What's a winning state slogan? Think about "I love New York," "Virginia is for Lovers," or Vegas' "What happens here, stays here." There's something about these slogans that just stick. Alabama earlier this year launched its own slogan: Made in Alabama. For more information, please click here.

Monroeville's Hornady Transportation invests $18 million, releases 2014 growth plan

Hornady Transportation LLC announced Monday the impact investments totaling $18 million have had on the company since 2012, and outlined a growth strategy through 2014. For more information, please click here.

Angel investment network provides $3.2 million in 2013's first nine months

The Angel Investor Management Group closed recently its fifth deal of 2013, bringing the statewide investment engine's year-to-date total to nearly $3.2 million. For more information, please click here.

Alabama's Gateway to World Commerce

Crucial expansions at Alabama's state port in Mobile have laid the foundation for existing and future industry growth in the state. For more information, please click here.

Airbus hiring on track for A320 final assembly line, efficiency driving design

The steel rising on Airbus' 116-acre final assembly line site at Mobile's Brookley Aeroplex might offer only a glimpse of the $600 million behemoth to come, but the plan for its execution is already mapped to the tiniest detail. For more information, please click here.

Airbus rising: What we know

Jennifer Ogle, human resources director for the $600 million Airbus final assembly line under construction at Mobile's Brookley Aeroplex, fielded myriad questions Tuesday morning during the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce's Women's Roundtable. For the full article, please click here.

Free trade agreement could mean jobs, exports boost for state (Driving Alabama)

A free trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union that's currently in negotiations could mean a boost in jobs and exports for Alabama. For more information, please click here.

Airbus shatters 2013 sales target in first nine months

Airbus is on track to surpass its original 2013 sales target by as much as 50 percent, having exceeded an already revised goal of 1,000 aircraft in the first nine months alone. For more information, please click here.

Governor Bentley visits Grove Hill

Governor Bentley visited Grove Hill recently as part of his Economic Recovery Tour. He held a roundtable with elected officials and business leaders before touring Dumas Manufacturing where he observed church pews being manufactured. Information taken from The South Alabamian.

The Economic Impact of Anglers and Hunters in Alabama

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has joined with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in highlighting results from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. According to the survey report, 1.7 million people participated in wildlife-related recreation in the state of Alabama in 2011, generating $2.7 billion for the state's economy. The Alabama state report measures public participation in hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other wildlife-dependent recreation, as well as how much money is spent pursuing these activities. For more information, please click here.

Alabama high school students lead nation in increase in passing advanced placement tests

State Superintendent Tommy Bice recently announced that Alabama ranked No. 1 among states in percent increases in the number of advanced placement exams passed by public school students in math, science and English over a five-year period. For more information, please click here.

Commercial construction a $10 billion industry in Alabama, report finds

The commercial construction industry has close to a $10 billion annual economic impact on Alabama, the first-ever study of its kind found. For more information, please click here.

Competition, innovation capture students' attention during 2013 Worlds of Opportunity

Some 11,000 eighth-graders from across southwest Alabama might still have no idea what they want to be when they grow up, but after two days at the Mobile Civic Center none of them can claim ignorance of their options. For more information, please click here.

Help could be on way for ag flood victims

Some federal assistance may be available to farmers in Escambia County, according to a press release from the Office of Gov. Robert Bentley.

According to the press release, 50 Alabama counties are under a Secretarial National Disaster Designation from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), making farmers in those counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the USDA-Farm Service Agency. For more information, please click here.

Worlds of Opportunity - What they said

Worlds of Opportunity, a project of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council, is an annual career expo targeting eighth graders in eight south Alabama counties. For more information, please click here.

Louisiana-Pacific to purchase Ainsworth Lumber Co.

Louisiana-Pacific is buying Ainsworth Lumber Co. for $1.1 billion. Ainsworth, a Canadian based company, is also a manufacturer of oriented strand board (OSB). LP reopened the Clarke County OSB mill earlier this year.

State to employers, what kind of workers do you need?

The state plans to call thousands of Alabama employers over the next few months to find out what kinds of workers they want, and their answers could help reshape education and training programs for years to come. For more information, please click here.

Alabama gets high marks in economic development magazine's rankings

Alabama ranked in the Top 10 in six different categories in Business Facilities' 2013 Rankings Report, an annual report card of how U.S. states are performing in economic development. For more information, please click here.

Alabama Power among best utilities for economic development, Site Selection reports

Alabama Power Co. is one of the top 10 U.S. utilities for economic development, according to a list published in the September issue of Site Selection magazine. For more information, please click here.

Clifton: Look for growth in forestry industry

Economic development is "all about building relationships," according to Rick Clifton, county economic development director. Clifton also explained his belief that the forestry industry is going to see new growth in south Alabama. For more information, please click here.

Alabama one of best states for doing business

A report from Area Development magazine lists Alabama as the fourth-best state for doing business in the U.S. For more information, please click here.

Mobile Regional Airport traffic continues climbing; new, expanded routes sought

Improved connectivity through aggressive courting of both new and legacy carriers are the official marching orders for Mobile Regional Airport as the city braces for unprecedented growth. For more information, please click here.

Career Tech Departments in Choctaw & Clarke counties hire Career Coach

Career Tech Departments from Choctaw and Clarke County have banded together to hire a Career Coach to connect both students and industry. The Career Coach will provide guidance in job markets, career exploration, current trends in career choices while assisting with career exploration activities & assessments. This will be funded by the 21st Century Workforce Act. The high schools benefitting from this program include: Jackson High, Clarke County High, Choctaw County High, Southern Choctaw High and Thomasville High. Information taken from The Thomasville Times.

Conecuh County lake project update

Repton Mayor Terri Carter is still working on the Conecuh County lake project. After successfully leading the initiative to stop the landfill (hopefully for good) plans for the 2,700 acre lake are back on the front line. A study is being done to demonstrate the need for a water reservoir in Conecuh County for the Army Corps of Engineers. After this process is complete financing must be secured to begin construction on the project. Costs will be between $750,000 and $1.5 million. Information taken from the Tri-City Ledger.

Escambia Peanut begins operations

Escambia Peanut near Flomaton, AL will be operating by the end of this week (9/5/13) if the weather permits. During the harvest season, the plant will employ around 25 people. Applications are still being accepted. The $7 million plant was announced earlier this year and is located of Hwy. 113. It is a 'super point' peanut processing plant, where peanuts from southwest Alabama and northwest Florida will be dried, graded and stored before being shipped to the shelling facility in Samson, AL. Information taken from the Tri-City Ledger.