The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance manages a “business incubator” to help new businesses in the county. Since they started this effort in May, 2002, they have helped over 130 local companies.

According to BCEDA Vice President Bob Higgins, the most common request for help is in finding money to start or expand the business.

“There are a large variety of sources of funding available to businesses in our area,” said Higgins. “Bank loans are the most common, but start-up or young businesses often cannot qualify for them.”

BCEDA works with business owners to help them find the help they need to get ready to ask for funding, then will help introduce them to banks, other loan sources, or potential investors.

“We continue to actively develop a wide range of contacts in the business finance world. This includes local bankers, regional commercial loan brokers, and angel and venture capital investors,” said Higgins. The Alliance is an SBA “Prequalification Intermediary” to help businesses pre-qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loan guarantees.

Although Alliance’s focus is on industrial and technology businesses, this same service is available to any existing business owner. See www.baldwineda.com for a summary of many of the services available to help existing businesses.

Another common request is for help in putting a business or expansion plan together. Higgins encourages companies to take advantage of any of the number of excellent resources available in our community for this. Free, confidential help is available from SCORE, the Women’s Business Center, and the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Alabama. Contact any Baldwin County chamber office to schedule a meeting with SCORE.

Companies that are admitted into the incubator are eligible for reduced rates on start-up legal and accounting services, and are often assigned mentors who will meet with them monthly. People thinking about starting a business can learn more by visiting the Incubator web site (www.baldwinincubator.com) or by calling Higgins at 251-947-2445.

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Spanish Trail Investments purchased the property and has entered into a two-year option, with an option for another year, on 80 of the 225 acres and a public/private partnership agreement with the Daphne IDB. “We are pleased to be in partnership with IDB and the City of Daphne and look forward to working together to recruit good, high paying jobs to the City and to Baldwin County,” noted Sonny Nichols.

Mayor Fred Small echoed the comments noted above and appreciated the hard work put forth by the IDB. “I am excited about this project and our prospects of recruiting good employers to Daphne and Baldwin County,” noted Small. “Let me publicly thank the volunteers on the IDB, David Cohen and BCEDA for their hard work to help make this partnership a reality.”

The Daphne Commerce and Technology Center (DCTC) Site was formerly owned by International Paper (IP) Company and has over 2,000 feet fronting I-10. In FY 2000, the Daphne IDB commissioned Volkert and Associates to do an analysis of four sites to determine the best site for commerce/business park based on size, infrastructure cost, transportation and development cost. Volkert and Associates recommended the IP Site.

“The DCTC will be seeking light manufacturing, technology, information technology, call centers, small distribution, and corporate headquarters type companies as new tenants,” noted Lance LaCour, President of BCEDA. “We are already working with several clients interested in the Center,” noted LaCour. “On behalf of BCEDA, I also thank the City, IDB and Spanish Trail Investments for the opportunity to work with them on this project.”

Jim Currie, former Board Chairman, welcomed everyone to the event and commented on the effectiveness of the BCEDA. He noted that our success is due to the outstanding Board and their leadership and to our investors and their continued commitment to the Alliance. Jim pointed out that the Alliance has brought the County together, working to help improve our quality of life. He recognized the past and current BCEDA Board members, including the Founding Board Members that were present.

Lance LaCour, BCEDA President & CEO presented the Alliance 2005 Briefing with a PowerPoint presentation. He explained the purpose and function of the BCEDA, the goals that were set over the past 10 years, the status of these goals and the success we have achieved. Lance reviewed BCEDA’s Programs and the achievements that we have made in each area. He concluded with a summary of potential projects on the horizon.

Jim Currie introduced the Keynote Speaker, Larry Merrihew.  Merrihew is BCEDA Board Chairman Elect in 2005 and Vice President at Regions Bank. Larry served on the 1993 task force that made the proposal to the County Commission to start the BCEDA, was a Founding Board member, and has had many other roles in economic development for the county.

Larry noted that BCEDA has helped create over 5,000 jobs and over $300 million in capital investment during these past 10 years. He reviewed the outstanding economic statistics for the county which included Baldwin’s Ranking as the 2nd most vital economy in Alabama as ranked in Auburn University’s Alabama County Economic Vitality Index. Larry also emphasized the need to continue the ongoing public-private partnership and leadership BCEDA has provided to move Baldwin County forward.