A new statewide coalition backed by prominent business groups has formed to focus on educating the state and the public about the importance of transportation investments to Alabama's economic development efforts.

The Partnership for Alabama's Vision for Economic Development, or PAVED, is a grassroots effort comprised of businesses, community leaders, public officials, industrial recruiters, statewide organizations and others interested in bringing attention to the economic benefits of improving Alabama's transportation infrastructure. 

"An adequate transportation system is vital in keeping our state's economy healthy, growing, and creating jobs," PAVED spokesman and West Alabama Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Page said in a written statement.

Atmore, along with several other communities in the southern Alabama region, will be joining together to begin work toward becoming a part of the Main Street Alabama Program.

The communities of Atmore, Brewton, Butler, Evergreen, Grove Hill, Jackson and Thomasville will join Monroeville in becoming Downtown Network Communities of Main Street Alabama.

"The program focuses on organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring," according to the Main Street organization. The program is coming to the smaller communities in the region because of a partnership between Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance and Alabama Power, which has provided a generous grant to fund the program.