Presidents Report Activity remains heavy at BCEDA as we start to wrap up 2007 events and priorities and begin planning for 2008. It appears that our year-end job creation and investment numbers will be slightly lower than our exceptional 2006 year-end numbers, but still very strong when compared with peer counties.
Our Investor’s Reception held September 26, 2007, at Cottages on the Greene was our largest ever, with over one hundred in attendance. We really appreciate Wayne and Betty Musgrove hosting and sponsoring the event.
Each of our staff members is currently working on recommended plans for 2008. We will then get the plans together, eliminate duplications, discuss ways to improve efforts in each area, and present a final draft to the 2008 Executive committee and Board for their input.
High paying jobs, strong new capital investment, existing business support, and workforce recruitment will certainly remain priorities. BCEDA was created to increase the size, strength and diversity of our overall economy by working with great partners like our area Chambers of Commerce, our Convention and Visitors Bureaus, public officials and our investors.
This is a great team and we appreciate the help of everyone.
Robert Ingram
President/CEO
Vice Presidents Report The Eastern Shore Chamber sponsored a Leadership Trip to Memphis, Tennessee and Desoto County, Mississippi October 22 - 24. Like Baldwin is to Mobile, Desoto is to Memphis - a very rapidly growing area including several small cities and a lot of unincorporated rural areas. In Desoto County, the cities and the county had teamed up to form an informal "Council of Governments" consisting of the mayors, the county commission chair, and the economic development executive. It was apparent that the mayors thought that they benefited from the sharing that happened as a result of these monthly meetings. One of the outcomes was a common language for zoning across the whole county. The area is a showcase for "Smart Growth" and "New Urbanism" which emphasize higher density walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.
On many of these trips one thing stands out as being "way more than expected." On this trip, it was the Memphis Bioworks Foundation. Bioworks shared a great deal on the process they used to successfully establish a research park in the center of the downtown medical complex. The process - which included a strong board, a very competent, energetic full time executive, and thinking "big" - may prove to be an excellent model for similar initiatives in our area.
Bob Higgins
Vice President
New Marketing Tool to Increase Exposure Starting this month all certified industrial, manufacturing, and distribution sites and buildings in Baldwin County will be viewed by site selectors and interested prospects all over the nation via Sites Across America. Sites Across America is a site and building database that is hosted by Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives as a tool for Economic Developers. The Sites Across America Database will provide increased exposure to our available buildings and sites in Baldwin County. We will also be able to track the viewing traffic and the hits each site and building receives. In the Economic Development field exposure to product (sites and buildings) is invaluable. We would like to thank Baldwin EMC for the opportunity to participate in Sites Across America and their assistance in the continued marketing of our great County.
