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A Publication of the Baldwin
County
Welcome to the Alliance eNewsletter If you have trouble viewing this document click here to view this on our website |
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| Goodrich to Hire 88 Employees by End of Year (2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On July 7, 2005
Goodrich Aerostructures in Foley, which includes the Goodrich Alabama
Service Center and Original Equipment Manufacturing Operations, announced
it would hire an additional 88 persons by the end of 2005. The Goodrich
Aerostructures facility in Foley is home to 500 employees making it the
second largest manufacturing employer in the City of Foley and Baldwin
County’s second largest employer. By bringing in new business from
operations outside the state and country, Goodrich is securing a bright
economic future for Foley, Baldwin County and Alabama as a whole. The
constant growth and marked success resulted in 94 hires year-to-date.
“Without the support of the Alliance, the City, ADO, AIDT and the Chamber
all working as a team, this expansion would not be possible,” noted Van
Halfacre, General Manager. Company officials are seeking a wide range of
professionals from entry-level to experience-required positions including
overhaul mechanics, painters, processors, engineers, sales executives and
administrative staff. Visit www.foleyjobs.goodrich.com for more
information.
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| County
Commissioner David Ed Bishop spoke at the EADS and Airbus Announcement in
Mobile for the new Airbus Engineering Center and the KC330 project
welcoming the company to the area. Bishop noted that the regional
recruitment team, which included the Commission, the Alliance, MAA, Mobile
Chamber of Commerce, City of Mobile and Mobile County Commission, did a
fantastic job. “The Baldwin County Commission and citizens of Baldwin
County have much to gain from this including 150 engineering jobs at the
new engineering center, thousands of supplier jobs from the potential
KC330 project and an expanded economy from persons relocating to the
area,” noted Bishop.
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New Boat Manufacturing Facility to Open at Gulf Shores Industrial Park! |
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| Ken
Carter and Mac McAleer of McAleer Marine Group LLC (MMG), Gulf Shores
Mayor Billy Duke, City Administrator Ernie Smith, Gulf Shores Airport
Authority Chairman Herb Malone and former Alliance President Lance LaCour
announced MMG’s plans to construct a new state-of-the-art 20,000 sq. ft.
fiberglass boat manufacturing facility and employ 48 persons within three
years at the Gulf Shores Industrial Park located near Jack Edwards
Airport. The new company will invest over $1,000,000 over a three-year
period on a five-acre site currently owned by the Airport Authority.
Annual payroll at the end of year one is projected to be over $300,000 and
increase to over $1,000,000 by the end of three years of operation.
McAleer Marine Group was established in February 2005 as a Limited Liability Company and will manufacture state-of the art fiberglass bay boats from 18 feet to 22 feet with inboard jet drives, which are designed to allow for running in shallow water. “The boat is designed to allow the pilot to steer from the transom area,” noted Ken Carter. “We feel confident that this design will revolutionize the boating industry.” Initial plans call for production of 100 boats per year and eventually increase to 400. “We also plan to become involved with the local schools and community organizations to foster careers in marine manufacturing,” noted Carter. Construction on the building is expected to start at in July with plant production beginning at the end of November 2005. Alliance Chairman, Larry Merrihew thanked MMG for choosing Baldwin County. “We are confident that your venture will be wildly successful and we pledge our support and resources to help you grow and prosper.” Lance LaCour noted that the BCEDA is working to help secure state training funding and grants from Alabama Industrial Training and the Baldwin County Career Center to train the workforce. MMG might also be the first company to activate the Gulf Shores Area of the Foreign Trade Zone and that the Alliance and the company are exploring those options.  Mac
Marine Team-Inshore offshore sports fishing boats |
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Lance LaCour Leaves the Alliance for New Position in Katy, Texas |
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| Baldwin County
Economic Development Alliance Chairman Larry Merrihew announced that Lance
LaCour, President & CEO, accepted the President & CEO position with the
Katy, Texas Area Economic Development Council, which is located in the
Houston area.
“Leaving the Alliance was not an easy decision. My nine and one-half years with the Alliance have been both professionally and personally rewarding, as Michelle and I have established our family here, with our daughter Alexa and son Emery. The Katy opportunity best suits my professional and personal goals, one of which is to be located close to my father and sister who live in the Houston Area.”
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The Alliance Receives Top 20 Award from Site Selection Magazine |
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| The Alliance
was named one of the Top 20 economic development groups in North America
in 2005 by Site Selection magazine.
The editorial staff at Site Selection choose the Top 20 on overall performance from the following criteria: total capital investment; jobs created; investment per capita; jobs per capita; overall vitality; depth and breath of economic strength; diversity of industry; ability to generate breakthrough deals; and the overall quality of group’s nomination package, including verifiable documentation. The Alliance was credited with having facilitated over 41 projects, 1,300 jobs and $87,000,000 in capital investment. Site Selection is an internationally recognized publication that is circulated to over 45,000 corporate real estate professionals in over 11 countries.
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Baldwin County's Economy Ranked One of the Strongest in the Nation |
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| Baldwin County
has been ranked as the 11th strongest micropolitian economy in the United
States and 4th in the Southeast according to a recent economic strength
ranking study conducted by Policom Corporation. The annual study used historical data and numerous economic indicators to evaluate 573 micropolitan and 361 metropolitan areas. The highest ranked areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time. According to Bob Higgins of the Alliance, “This study reinforces the message that Baldwin County has a thriving economy and is a great place to do business. We think this is primarily due to our pro-business governments, some innovative public-private partnerships, and our pursuit of quality jobs. Baldwin County can build on this ranking and improve and strengthen our economy by continuing our efforts in economic diversification and our continuing pursuit of quality jobs.” Policom Corporation is an independent economics research firm specializing in the dynamics of local economies. You can get more information about the study at www.policom.com/metro.htm 
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The City of Daphne Received Top Ranking in the
CNN/Money Best Places to Live |
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| The City of
Daphne was ranked in the Top 100 cities in the nation which to live
according to Money Magazine and CNN/Money. The City was ranked 96 out of
1,100 places. Money magazine and CNN/Money teamed up with data researchers at OnBoard to research the Best Places to Live in 2005. From a database of nearly 40,000 places, the researchers culled the list to 1,100 places. From there they ranked the places on education, environment, housing affordability, taxes, commute times and job market. Money magazine also interviewed residents and community leaders. Darrelyn Bender of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce said, "Daphne has received recognition that has been long over due. It is a wonderful community with great leadership and enthusiastic citizen involvement." You can find additional information about the ranking at www.money.cnn.com |
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| The DCTC (Daphne
Commerce and Technology Center) plan was recently approved by the Daphne
Planning Commission. “Four sub-acre lots and two five-acre lots (under
option by the Daphne IDB) have been reserved for development,” noted Bob
Higgins. The two five-acre lots are reserved for the Daphne IDB’s planned
20,000 sq. ft. Spec Building, and for a new high-tech company planning to
build a 14,000 sq. ft. office and service center which will employ 70
people.
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BancorpSouth, Inc., (NYSE: BXS) subsidiary, BancorpSouth Bank announced it has expanded its presence in Alabama with the opening of a loan production office in the Gulf Shores. Veteran banker, Philip R. Webb will direct BancorpSouth’s Baldwin County banking operations. Webb has served as in various management capacities in his 30+ years of financial services experience, including five years in the Baldwin County area. Webb is very involved in civic and community associations and has been a member of the National Association of Homebuilders for over 30 years. Initially, BancorpSouth in Baldwin County will offer commercial real estate lending and real estate construction. The office will be located at Uptown On 20th at 229 East 20th Avenue in Gulf Shores. BancorpSouth is a $10.8 billion-asset financial services company. The company operates over 250 banking and mortgage locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas with a staff of approximately 3,800 full-time employees. In addition to providing traditional banking services, credit cards, mortgages, trust and fiduciary services, the company provides investment services through its subsidiary BancorpSouth Investment Services, Inc. and insurance services through its subsidiary BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc. |
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| The Baldwin
County, Alabama Wage and Fringe Benefits Survey Report
and The Baldwin/Mobile Counties, Alabama
Wage and Fringe Benefits Survey Report were sponsored by the Baldwin
County Economic Development Alliance and the Mobile Area Chamber of
Commerce. They were conducted by The Pathfinders, an economic development
and corporate site-selection consultant firm. The reports include a
summary of the survey, employer’s ratings of the workforce, wage and
fringe benefits including insurance, financial plans and paid leave.
For a copy of the Baldwin County report click here: http://www.baldwineda.com/files/Baldwin_County_Wage_Survey_2005.PDF For a copy of the Baldwin/Mobile report click here: http://www.baldwineda.com/files/Baldwin_Mobile_Wage%20_Survey_2005.PDF
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The Alliance Scorecard |
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| Alliance 2010 Update | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At the campaign
kick-off meeting held August 16, 2005 at Craft Farms, co-chair Sheila
Hodges announced that the Alliance 2010 Campaign had realized the halfway
point of $1.5 million dollars. As you recall, the campaign goal of $3.0 million was chosen as a result of a Leadership Assessment that was completed in the spring of 2005 by Funding Solutions. The five co-chairs, Hon. Frank Burt Jr., Robert Craft, Hiram Templeton, Sheila Hodges and Hon. Tim Russell are pleased with the progress to date. In order to achieve the new goal of $600,000 annually, we are creating new partnerships in all sectors of our local economy. Currently there are 61 committed investors: 21 new and 40 returning. The leadership assessment and campaign brochure, both available on our website, indicate a renewed focus on existing business as well as new high paying, white collar jobs. Workforce development, marketing and recruiting will continue to be pursued with passion. The formal campaign runs until October 17, 2005. Questions or comments regarding the Alliance’s future or the Alliance 2010 campaign can be directed to info@baldwineda.com
Some of the speakers at the kick-off event included-left: Hon. Frank Burt, Jr., Baldwin County Commission, center: Sheila Hodges, Meyer Real Estate, right: Mayor Tim Russell, City of Foley and BCEDA Chairman Larry Merrihew, Regions Bank
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| Welcome New Alliance Board Members | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Van Halfacre, Goodrich Aerostructures Group, Anthony Kaiser, Realty Executives, Mark Berson, President of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce Thank you all for your time and support of the BCEDA! |
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| 2005 Alliance Board of Directors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Alliance 2005 Board of Directors Larry Merrihew, Chairman Regions Bank Hiram Templeton, Vice Chairman Alabama Power Company Donna Watts, Secretary South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Earl Stephens, Treasurer Baldwin Pole and Piling Charlie Basset Bassett Engineering and Construction Mark Berson Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce Richard Crawford Chicago Pizza Jim Currie AmSouth Bank Donna Givens Baldwin EMC Van Halfacre Goodrich Aerostructures Group David Horton Riviera Utilities Jimmy Junkins Meyer Real Estate Anthony Kaiser Realty Executives Huey “Hoss” Mack Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department Chris Miller City of Bay Minette Peggy Nelson Regions Bank Randy Wood GulfTel Communications Commissioner Frank Burt Baldwin County Commission Honorary Member Hon. Skip Gruber Town of Elberta Honorary Member |
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Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance
(The Alliance)
www.baldwineda.com
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