President's Report
The first quarter of the Alliance year has been busy and successful.
We have hosted numerous prospects and developers and have shown industrial/distribution/high tech related property in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, Elberta, Summerdale, Robertsdale, Loxley, Spanish Fort and Bay Minette. We have shown office and warehouse properties in Daphne and other communities and have several developers looking at purchasing and developing property and spec buildings in very corner of the county.
In April, major events include an aviation targeted trip to an MRO show in Fort Lauderdale combined with a visit to a major aerospace project. The Alliance will be hosting the Sweet Home Alabama Weekend (SHAW) conference site selection team, in hopes of bringing that 2009 major Site Location Consultants event to Baldwin County.
The Alliance will also be hosting and facilitating a meeting between Baldwin County Bank Presidents and regional SBA officials, continuing our partnership with ENVISION COASTAL ALABAMA, working on a Mega Site certification, workforce and housing issues, and other activities which strengthen the Baldwin County economy.
Our efforts continue to be recognized by national economic development organizations. For the second year in a row Baldwin County has been identified as the #4 Micropolitan County (out of over 690 total counties considered as such by the US Census Bureau) for new and expanded industry. This accomplishment and recognition was achieved by the Alliance staff in partnership with city, and county officials, private sector leaders and you, our Investors.
The next two years offer great opportunities and great challenges as we attempt to maximize the positive effects of the ThyssenKrupp Steel and the Northrop Grumman/EADS projects. We need and thank you for your continued support and friendship.
Robert
Ingram
President/CEO
Site Selection Recognition
Site Selection magazine ranked Baldwin County fourth as the micropolitan area with the most industrial expansions in 2007 after landing 14 new or expanded facilities creating 490 jobs. The projects that are counted in the ranking must have an investment of at least $1 million, build a minimum structure of 20,000 square feet or hire at least 50 people. This is the second year that Baldwin has ranked fourth.
Distribution, light manufacturing and
aerospace lead expanding industries in the county. The top expansion
last year was Goodrich Corporation's Foley plant which hired 100 new
employees.
Outstanding Investors' Reception!
The Officers, Board and Staff of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance hosted community leaders at our Investors' Reception on Thursday, March 27, 2008. We had over 150 in attendance, a record crowd!
Robert Soulliere, President and CEO of ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC spoke on the recent announcement of their steel plant in Calvert, Alabama. Soulliere updated the group on ThyssenKrupp’s timeline of construction and of their getting into business and also the potential impact on Baldwin County. He congratulated our region on working together to bring this project to Alabama including the state, the counties and the cities that were asked to participate in the recruiting process.
We would like to thank our Event Sponsor, Baldwin EMC and the Location Sponsor, Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale. We would also like to thank Naman’s Catering and Event Planning, Inc for a beautiful and delicious buffet!
Northrop Grumman/EADS
Visit our website at
www.baldwineda.com to access the
Northrop Grumman link for supplier and job opportunities on the KC45 Tanker
Program. You can listen to the facts about the KC-45 and join the
effort to "keep our tanker".
Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance
Sponsorship Information
If you/your company are interested in sponsoring one of our Investors' Receptions or another of the events that we have throughout the year, please contact our office at (251) 947-2445.
You will be listed as event sponsor on
all correspondence regarding the event including invitations, any and all
publicity for the event and given the opportunity to emcee the event.
You will also have the opportunity to display a company banner at the event.
City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department
Earns National Accreditation
On March 14, 2008 the City of Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department became one of only seventy-three agencies in the country to have received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This distinguished accomplishment was announced in Washington, DC at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Midyear Governance Meeting.
Orange Beach is currently the only city in Alabama to successfully complete the process but it is our plan to continue to build on the quality facilities, programs and services as a part of creating one of the best “quality of life” conditions in the nation. Quality of Life for us and for Alabama as a state is a key component in recruiting new businesses here as the company decision makers and key management staff enjoy the Orange Beach area and its offering as a place of refuge and relaxation.
Orange Beach works closely with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and their staff in attracting top recruiters and making alliances by using our natural environments and tailoring recruiting efforts with special events on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Those visits and opportunities arise once a decision maker spends some time on the Alabama coastal shores at such an invitation, a conference or special event.
Ken Grimes, Jr.
Special Projects Coordinator
City of Orange Beach