FROM THE PRESIDENT    

         After two and one half years of hard work, we have completed all known requirements for certifying a mega-site in north Baldwin County.  We will show slides of the property and give a report at our September 24 Investors' Reception at the Beach Club.

     Basically a mega-site is a piece of industrial property with a minimum of 1,000 "usable" acres, adjacent to rail and an interstate.  To certify such a site an economic development agency must have effective control of the property--options with set price--a development plan, and specific due diligence completed.  Due diligence includes a wetlands analysis, phase one environmental, a geotechnical report, and a preliminary archeological/cultural/endangered species analysis, at a minimum.

     Certified mega-sites are rare and are sought after for huge projects because they remove much of the "time risk" associated with such projects. There is no guarantee that a certified mega-site will lead to the location of a huge job creation project but the odds of landing such a project without a certified mega-site are extremely small.

     Our primary goal for the site will be to locate an environmentally friendly company which will create high paying jobs, help diversify our local economy, improve our standard of living, increase retail sales throughout the county, improve real estate values--and sales--throughout the county, and create a significant increase in property taxes going toward the education of our children!

     Your Baldwin County Commissioners and their great staff deserve much of the credit for progress toward developing a mega-site and I hope you will thank them when you see them.  We are blessed with progressive city and county leadership throughout Baldwin County and our private sector leadership is second to none.

     Thanks again for your wonderful support!
 

Robert Ingram
President/CEO
 

INVESTORS' RECEPTION

The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance
Investors’ Reception

will be Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

at the Beach Club in Gulf Shores.
 

Please mark your calendars and join us
as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary
 

WE MAY HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO BALDWIN COUNTY! 
WE URGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND!!

Sponsor:
 

ALABAMA'S BEACHES REPORT
EXTREMELY POSITIVE JULY NUMBERS

     According to data released Thursday by the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), families continued to travel in record numbers to Alabama’s Beaches, which resulted in several positive summer figures.

     Condominium occupancy reached 79.5 percent for the month of July 2009, which was a 3 percent increase over the previous comparative period of July 2008 (76.3 percent).

     "This figure is staggering considering that we have welcomed aboard 713 additional condominium units since July 2008, and we - along with all area businesses – have worked tirelessly to fill these units,” Herb Malone, CVB president/CEO. “To have expanded our inventory and produced a 3 percent gain in this economy, it an outstanding feat.”

     The positive news comes as these additional filled units resulted in more tax income for one coastal city. The City of Orange Beach set two all-time monthly records by collecting the highest city lodging and retail tax revenue figures in the city’s 25 year history. 

     “The City of Orange Beach can confirm that a record number of tourists set foot in the sand during July as our top two tax generators, sales and lodgings reached a record peak,” said Ken Grimes, city administrator of the City of Orange Beach. “We maintained our high level of service to our residents and visitors while working on a bare bones budget, which is still off pace during some tough economic times.”

     In July 2009, the city processed $1.4 million in lodging rental tax, which is up 5.2 percent over the previous comparative period of July 2008. Also, the city collected $1.01 million in July 2009 retail sales tax, which is a 13.5 percent increase over July 2008. (Note: July 2009 data for the City of Gulf Shores has not yet been reported).   

     “These outstanding numbers show that the travel experts were correct in their summer forecasts,” said Malone. “While some media reports constantly focused on the economic situation and attempted to raise concerns that people would not travel, this data shows what we already knew. Vacations are the special moments in life where families can leave the stresses and strains of everyday life behind and reconnect with their loved ones. We are thankful that our guests choose to return each year to our 32 miles of relaxing sugar white sand.”

     Recording all-time high numbers did not happen by accident.

     “First of all, we need to thank our loyal families who chose to reconnect with their loved ones in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area,” Malone said. “Our extensive print and internet marketing campaign resulted in 15,000 July inquiries to our hospitality and information department, which is an increase of 10,000 over last July.”

     Also, the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission (which is a partnership between the local chamber, CVB and two island cities) hosted several USSSA baseball and softball events during July, including two World Series tournaments that attracted more than 10,000 additional people to the island.

     Adding to those contributing factors are the $1.95 million impact generated by the Student Life group that held its summer camp for more than 12,000 youth at The Wharf. The sales department at the CVB worked closely with The Wharf and area lodging businesses to grow this camp to its current level.

     “This success is a direct result of a team effort from the city governments, CVB, local chamber and all business sectors, such as lodging, restaurants, retail, attractions, fishing and golf,” Malone added. “With a strong partnership from all parties, we are looking forward to welcoming many more guests to our area during the upcoming Labor Day weekend and into the fall and winter seasons.”

     Grimes also shares the same optimistic outlook: “Even though July provided a much needed boost, our annual figures are projected to be off by as much as 9 percent of our overall budget figures. We were fortunate to have great weather, better fuel prices and good values for people vacationing closer to home during July. These positive figures for July will help us close the deficit gap that exists in other revenue collections, such as building permits. This is a national crisis and a slowdown in construction affects your sales tax on materials, permits, impact fees and much more. Our region along the coast has proven to come out of these recessions and do very well. It's just a matter of time.”  

Article reprinted with permission from the Alabama Gulf Coast CVB

WALL STREET JOURNAL AND WINNING WORKPLACES
SELECT DAPHNE UTILITIES AS ONE OF TOP 35

SMALL BUSINESSES IN NATION

     Daphne Utilities has been named to the Wall Street Journal’s 2009 Top 35 Small Workplaces in America. More than 600 companies throughout the country are nominated annually and, according to representatives of the judging panel, Daphne Utilities is the only utility company to ever be selected as a finalist in the history of this program.

     The Top 35 Finalist designation is given to small businesses that foster teamwork, flexibility, high productivity and innovation while also helping their employees grow personally and professionally, and providing them benefits that improve their lives and communities.
     Of the 35 named, 15 will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Wall Street Journal focusing on small business in America. All finalists will be further scrutinized through a series of due diligence interviews with randomly selected employees, as well as customers and business advisors. A panel of judges will then review all information and select the top 15 companies.
 

     “To be named one of the top 35 small businesses by The Wall Street Journal is not only a great honor, but a true reflection of the outstanding employees we have been fortunate to attract,” said Rob McElroy, general manager. “We’ve worked very hard to select, prepare and retain top talent and have created a work culture that maximizes their talent.”

     Daphne Utilities’ staff of 70 employees serves approximately 11,000 water, 10,000 sewer and 4,000 gas customers. Its five person board is comprised of chairman Bob Segalla, Mayor Fred Small, Councilman Ron Scott, Fenton Jenkins and Lon Johnston.

     McElroy said the utility has undertaken significant changes since 2005. “We’re now a business minded enterprise, shedding the “public works” mindset to become a profitable, performance-based, award-winning water, wastewater and natural gas provider.”

Innovative environmental programs, such as the utility’s biodiesel fuel effort, are now copied across the country. Other programs stressing workplace safety and whole family health have resulted in a reduction in insurance rates for both the company and employees in each of the last three years. A significant emphasis on cross-training and skills development helps each employee become more valuable to themselves and to the utility.

     “It’s fairly obvious to me: Winning teams know how to win…and we have built a great winning team here at Daphne Utilities,” said McElroy. “We stress accomplishments, not just ’hard work’ and make no apologies for our pay-for-performance system which rewards those who deliver great results. We value high performance from each individual, each team, every department and from the entire company working together as a whole.”

START AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH SCORE
“Counselors to America’s Small Business”

      A new business can use the most advanced technology available, but without fundamental business sense, today’s entrepreneur may struggle to stay in operation tomorrow. Starting a business requires planning.  Successful entrepreneurs understand that the learning curve is steep and take advantage of free small business counseling  from SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”

     Entrepreneurs who succeed in turning their dream into reality know that information is power. They seek help and advice from SCORE’s business professionals, who have time-tested knowledge and expertise.

     Starting a new business can be time-consuming, overwhelming and a serious gamble. Learning from the experience of others is a smart way to avoid making critical mistakes. And, asking for help is the best way to solve a problem before it grows. SCORE can guide you along the path to business success.

     SCORE works by matching business management counselors with current and prospective small business owners in need of expert advice. SCORE has experts in virtually every area of business management. Local SCORE counselors in Baldwin County are ready to assist small business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs with business plans, loan applications, marketing techniques and more. All counseling services are free and confidential.

 
     At the national and local level, SCORE plays a crucial role in helping small businesses thrive. SCORE counselors work with entrepreneurs to streamline operations and develop contingency plans to face the potential challenges of reduced cash flows.

     SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE provides free information and online counseling on the SCORE Small Business Web Site at www.score.org   Or, call the Fairhope SCORE at 928-6387 to make an appointment to meet with your business counselor.

Submitted by:

Donna Dodson, SCORE Counselor, Baldwin County Chapter 630

Donnamd1229@aol.com

251-656-0777

Envision Annual Meeting

Business Commentator and Los Angeles Times Bestseller

Joel Kotkin to Keynote Envision Annual Meeting

        Joel Kotkin, internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and

 social trends and author of the critically acclaimed book, The City, will be the keynote speaker during Envision Coastal Alabama’s annual meeting set for Wednesday, October 28.

     The Envision Annual Meeting recognizes and celebrates the many volunteers and program partners that have contributed over the past year to the betterment of the Coastal Alabama region.  Entering its 12^th year, Envision continues to promote cooperative action among business and community leaders seeking ways to improve overall quality of life.

     This year’s annual meeting sponsors are First Community Bank, Meyer Real Estate, Mobile Airport Authority, Pilot Catastrophe Services Inc., Thames Batre’ Mattei Beville and Ison Insurance, Whitney Bank, Infirmary Health Systems, Alabama Orthopedic Clinic, and Bay Security Coompany.

     The Oct. 28 breakfast meeting will be held at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort in Point Clear. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $20. Reservations can be made by contacting Ailey Arrow at 251-431-8621 or aarrow@mobilechamber.com

PENSACOLA BAY AREA CHAMBER LAUNCHES
"Pledge LUV" Campaign

     Pensacola officials are working to attract Southwest Airlines to Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport. Evon Emerson, chief executive of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, said that recent conversations between Pensacola Leaders and Southwest seemed to indicate the airline might be closer to making a decision about Northwest Florida.   

     The Chamber launched a community initiative, "Pledge Luv" campaign, to help recruit Southwest Airlines.  The campaign includes a Facebook page and pledges by locals to buy gift cards for future travel after Southwest announces Pensacola service.  To help in this initiative, visit the Pensacola Chamber website at http://www.pensacolachamber.com/ and fill out a pledge form online.  Pledges can be as low as $10.00 and there is no expiration date on the pledge. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPOTLIGHT
Lawrence (Larry) Merrihew
President, Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association (WTWA)

     Larry Merrihew was one of numerous private and public sector leaders involved with the establishment of the Alliance in 1994.  Wendy Allen and Mike Allegri, both County Commissioners, approached the Chamber Executives about having a county-wide industrial park for recruitment of industry.  The Chamber's asked Larry to be part of those discussions and it was decided that if Baldwin County was going to get serious about economic development, to do it right.  Donna Watts was also involved in those early discussions and is currently President of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.  Business leaders from around the county were invited to attend this "first of it's kind" meeting in the county.  Until that point, our business community did not really cross city limits to work together on a project benefiting the county.  And as they say, the rest is history.

     Larry has served faithfully on the Alliance Board for most of its 15 year history serving in many officer roles including Board Chairman.  The few years that he was not serving on the Board, his leadership was utilized in many other economic development issues.  

     Larry is President, Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association (WTWA), responsible for representing its membership, which is composed of businesses, municipalities, and industries, in discussions/meetings with the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Coast Guard, government agencies, etc., for the purpose of improving and maintaining the safety and efficiency of the Black Warrior Tombigbee waterway. 

     Prior to joining the WTWA, Larry worked with Regions Bank for 42 years.  During those years he held a number of responsibilities including managing the economic development program of the bank, and during that time the ED program gained recognition from State and National agencies. 

    Larry is Past President of the Economic Developers Association of Alabama, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Junior Achievement of Mobile, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Works, and has served on the Boards of the Southern Economic Developers Council, Envision Coastal Alabama, and the Fairhope Industrial Board.  He currently serves on the Boards of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Japan America Society of Alabama, and serves as President, Coalition of Alabama Waterway Associations. 

     Larry is a graduate of BEDC, Georgia Tech; EDI, Oklahoma University, Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University; and School of Marketing, University of Colorado. 

     He is married to Shirley Mosley Merrihew and they have three daughters and three grandsons.  Larry and Shirley live in Fairhope.

2009 BOARD MEMBERS