I-22
Area officials exploring economic development options
By Chad Fell
Senior Reporter
From left, David Graham, Marion County Economic Development; Grady Batchelor, co-chairman of the I-22 Development Commission and president of the Industrial Development Authority, Winston County; Senator Charles Bishop, co-chairman I-22 Development Commission; Neal Morrison, president Bevill State Community College; Jerry Bishop, Walker County Economic Industrial Development Authority; Susan Burrow, associate Dean Bevill State Community College, Hamilton campus.
JASPER – Officials agree the future Interstate 22 corridor, known as Corridor X is connecting seven northwest Alabama counties, including Winston for faster and better means of transportation, but these same counties want to prepare economically for the explosive growth anticipated along with route.
A meeting of the I-22 Development Commission Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Jasper campus of Bevill State Community College allowed local, area and state officials to put their heads together in exploring options for both economics and tourism along the stretch of interstate which will connect Memphis, Tenn. To Birmingham.
Between those cities, miles and miles of ground are being eyed for economic development, as I-22 has been predicted to be the second busiest interstate in the nation within five to six years.
Local and area leaders during the Development Commission meeting explored options toward those efforts. "We're after industry. That's what this group is all about," stressed State Senator Charles Bishop, Commission co-chairman. "I believe we are going to have to come with a funding mechanism. To told governor (Bob Riley), and I am going to tell him again Friday.
"In order for this group to be aggressive, we have got to have some type of funding mechanism." He said the opening of the I-22 interstate creates tremendous opportunities for northwest Alabama.
Bishop pointed out I-22 would either be a blessing or a by-passed opportunity. "This interstate will either be a golden opportunity or it will be a by-pass through our counties," the senator spoke out. "It is up to us to make that decision. It takes leadership. We have to be more aggressive. When I say more aggressive, we have got to have some funding."
He said the Commission would be lucky in recruiting industries hiring many people in one or two counties affecting all of the designated counties. "This is very important to these counties in this part of Alabama."
It was noted I-22 would connect the northwest Alabama counties of Winston, Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Franklin, Walker and Jefferson.
"This effort is special within our rural action commission," stated Andy Benefield of the Alabama RAC, "because it actually promotes cross regional cooperation with emphasis on economic development and workforce development."
Cross-regional cooperation would mean more funding toward those economic efforts. Bishop strives to meet with the leaders in each of the affected counties and arrive at a funding mechanism that will be of no major cost to any one county. "It will cost us all a little, and could be a great, great investment if we land one big industry somewhere along this interstate," Bishop said.
If these opportunities are not grabbed, they may slip through the grip, according to officials.
Winston County resident Grady Batchelor, Commission co-chair, stressed all of the affected northwest Alabama counties should unify in a regional effort.
"The key part here is to create those partnerships between the different counties," stated Batchelor. "We have all worked independently much like silos. We can work independently, but we all realize we compete against 33,000 different locations any time there is a major industry looking to relocate in this country. Now we compete locally, so we have to break out of those molds and work across the county line."
Changing traditional ways of thinking is key in breaking these molds. Speaking of I-22, Batchelor reminded, "If we don't take advantage of that, working together, then it is…just going to by-pass all of us."
"Change is going to happen. Whether or not we are prepared for that change is another matter," said Jessica Dent, from the RAC speaking about the proposed Corridor Resource Network. She spoke of one location people could go to find information that various state agencies offered concerning economic development.
After some discussion, it was decided to pursue a resource network. "These six counties (affecting by I-22) will be affected. They will change," Dent said, noting the target audience for such a network unifying the six counties are elected officials and community leaders.
"The drive down I-22 is just wonderful. It's a scenic drive. Let us build on that," Dent said, noting she lives in a county where I-65 runs through, with three exits. She said a lack of planning did not produce the economic development along that particular route. "We are one of the worst counties in the state of Alabama," she said. "And we have three exits. We didn't plan. We didn't prepare. We didn't develop our vision today for tomorrow."
To kick off the network concept—so each of the six affected counties will plan today for tomorrow—a Lunch and Learn has been planned Feb. 30, 2009, 10 a.m. with a noon lunch at the Bevill State Community College civic room.
So many options will be considered in this meeting such as planning for sewer system, infrastructure, telecommunications, conservation, resources, green space, educational resources. "There are resources out there," Dent said. "What we'd like to be able to do is taylor it and (have) curriculum development." She said things the counties have already identified as needs will be used toward this development.
"New highway construction such as I-22 (Corridor X) has made rural areas increasingly accessible," Dent indicated.
"The completion of Corridor X will bring unprecedented growth to communities throughout central and northwest Alabama," Governor Riley has been quoted as saying. "Regional cooperation in economic and workforce development will be crucial to our long-term success, and I'm excited that our Rural Action Commission will be involved in these efforts."
"We from an economic development standpoint have to go say 'What are those key things we see, we envision along that corridor that we need to go after," said John Schmidt of the I-22 economic/workforce development committee.
He said economic development along the Corridor includes more than gas stations/convenience and the "mom and pop" stores. "Your message has got to be out there. You have to push it. You can't just let people sit on their hands and forget about you."
He said the Commission should focus on the top three to four items they want to achieve in economic and workforce development and purse them.
"The window of opportunity will fade very fast," Schmidt said. "I drove down the I-22 corridor this afternoon, just kind of saying 'Why am I here.' It reminded me of the beauty of the state and that corridor. That corridor right there is beautiful, and all of us represent a beautiful part of the state, but all of us have to get out there and sell it."
Mitch Mays of the Franklin County Development Authority, noted the I-22 Alliance has been formed, with representatives going to trade shows and consultant events marketing the entire region of the state affected y the new interstate.
"We should have some kind of mechanism or way to recruit as a region," Mays said.
Batchelor recommended the Commission form a Regional Tourism Committee to focus on the tourism aspects of I-22 development, bringing out all related possibilities along the corridor.
In other words, what can be done in development along the corridor to attract visitors or others to have more recreational opportunities in the state along the corridor. The Commission approved the tourism committee during the meeting, which will connect to the available resources and bring out the ultimate along I-22.
"There's a big gap in there that needs to be covered," Batchelor said.
Reprinted with permission from Northwest Alabamian. Copyright (c) 2008 Northwest Alabamian, a publication of Mid-South Newspapers, Inc.
Source: www.mynwapaper.com
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