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AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS IN FOCUS AUGUST 2015 2 AUGUST 2015

In the last decade, the Wiregrass Region of has emerged as a hotspot for advanced industries ranging from manufacturing all the way through to aeronautics…

Scott Morgan Photography

Alabama may not be the first place you think of when you hear the words ‘advanced technology’, but one look at the recent innovations coming out of the Alabama Wiregrass Region proves that ingenuity isn’t just reserved for Silicon Valley.

The Wiregrass Region, which spans parts of , Alabama and the panhandle, is home to a surprising number of industries and resources. The Alabama portion of the region includes the cities of Enterprise, Elba, Geneva, Hartford, and Samson, as well as the counties of Coffee and Geneva. Written by Grace McDermott Like much of the south, the Wiregrass region has a legacy of ith one of the most specialized workforces in the agriculture which dates back centuries but, what really sets it country and a unique business-centric infrastruc- apart, is its ongoing commitment to technological develop- Wture to match, the area continues to gain industry ment, both in terms of infrastructure and workforce. attention across state lines and beyond. Jonathan Tullos, Execu- tive Director at the Wiregrass Economic Development Corpora- While the region remains a prominent player in agriculture, tion, provided us some insight into why so many growing busi- forestry, manufacturing and automotive, in recent years, it has nesses are choosing to break ground in this region. gained widespread attention for its contributions to the manu- BUSINESS IN FOCUS 3

“In recent years, the region has gained widespread attention for its contributions to the manufacturing and aerospace sectors.”

Scott Morgan Photography

facturing and aerospace sectors. From automotive and forestry global economic downturn. As a result, many areas to manufacturing and aeronautics, this once small region is across the US faced substantial industrial decline. quickly becoming a major player in a diverse array of areas. However, while others shied away from investing in technology, the Wiregrass region embraced it. Since the Alabama Wiregrass area is located at the tip of the automotive corridor and is home to a nationally recognized “One look at the recent military installation, manufacturing has always been at the core innovations coming of the local economy. “Historically, the area was heavily involved in the textiles industry. A lot of those skills – like working with out of the Alabama your hands – can be translated easily to manufacturing and Wiregrass Region proves automotive with just a little bit of training.” that ingenuity isn’t just reserved for Silicon Over the last twenty years, technological progression has influ- Valley.” enced an industrial shift toward automated and advanced technologies. As this revolution took root, however, so did the 4 5 6

Scott Morgan Photography

With the added benefit of a substantial military presence and a skilled population, the Alabama Wiregrass region quickly lever- aged its existing resources to create a work-ready community. By cultivating this forward-thinking, growth-ready environ- ment, the Wiregrass reinvented itself. Today, the area’s industrial footprint is stronger than ever.

“With some of the best school districts in the state, affordable housing and a renowned health system, the appeal of the Alabama Wiregrass Region extends far beyond price points.”

The ecosystem of advanced industry has evolved massively in the last decade. With that change came an almost immedi- ate demand for skilled laborers. As the majority of industries turned toward automation, many localities struggled to build and maintain an adequate employee base. Luckily, in the Wire- grass area of Alabama the talent pool was well-equipped for advanced industry. Today, this workforce has developed into one of the most specialized in the region. “We have a tremen- dously skilled labor force, particularly in terms of aerospace and 7

“Today, the area’s industrial footprint is stronger than ever.”

manufacturing. It’s something that has really enabled business decades. consistently trains and employs military pro- to grow here.” fessionals from across the globe in the most advanced aerospace technologies and techniques on the market. As the main flight In the Wiregrass, advanced technical knowledge has been an training base for the US Army’s aviation division and the location integral part of the area’s development long before the trend hit of the Aviation Center for Excellence (USAACE), most industries. To better understand what makes the talent pool Fort Rucker has pioneered some of the most innovative defense so skilled, one needs to look at the community’s military roots. technologies and techniques the world has ever seen.

Fort Rucker is a major US military installation located in the heart Fort Rucker has influenced the development of military ancil- of the Wiregrass. The post, which was created in the 1950s, has lary businesses across the Alabama Wiregrass region. These drawn a robust and continuous flow of skilled professionals for defense companies have experience with the likes of Boeing 8

and other US Military aircraft providers. Moreover, as a hub for pipeline that supports the continuous expansion of the aero- military aviation, the region is home to approximately 51,000 space and manufacturing firms in the region. military retirees with backgrounds that range from piloting to engineering and everything in between. As a result of this rela- As a result of Fort Rucker, the Wiregrass is home to a unique tionship with Fort Rucker, the region has developed substantial cross-section of cultures. With thousands of students from all infrastructure for not only aerospace but manufacturing and over the world training and living in the area, it is no surprise metalwork as well. that homegrown innovation is a major contributor to the local economy. As a result of the in-depth expertise in the In terms of business growth and professional development, region, many of the locally-developed defense consultants are Wiregrass offers unparalleled educational training opportuni- working, in tandem with the US military, to create solutions for ties. In working towards developing one of the most special- the changing needs of national defense. ized labor forces in the country, the local governments and the Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation have invested “In terms of business growth heavily into the development of a specialized education and professional development, program which ensures that growing firms will have access to an ongoing flow of work-ready employees. Wiregrass offers unparalleled educational training Years ago, a major education program was created, the Alabama opportunities.” Aviation Center, and run through the Enterprise State Commu- nity College system. This initiative, which starts as early as high From assisting the military to developing roadmaps for school, offers Wiregrass students the opportunity to gain the unmanned aerial systems to manufacturing the leading com- training and hands-on experience necessary to serve the repair mercially produced Doppler radar system, local innovation in and maintenance needs of the aerospace and broader manu- the Wiregrass is serious business. facturing industry. The labor force is built into an infrastructure

Scott Morgan Photography

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Seeking affordability, accessibility and opportunity, a substantial number of ALABAMA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL tier-one companies, both domestically Promoting and Developing Alabama’s #1 Industry and from abroad, have relocated to the Wiregrass region over the last few years. Coffee County Agriculture, Forestry, “When it comes to doing business on a and Related Industries global scale, people are starting to see Total Impacts: $1.1 Billion and 8,655 Jobs that Alabama can offer more, for less.”

Total Production There is not only a lower cost of living and In 2010, $242.4 million was generated through the county’s agricultural and forestry doing business, but there are also generous production sector. incentives from state and local govern- Agricultural Production ments. “There is nothing off the table Coffee County ranked fourth in the state when there is a project that is mutually in broiler production. Poultry and egg production contributed 61.1 percent of beneficial for the area,” said Tullos. the county’s total agricultural and forestry production, making it the largest agricultural commodity. Although the highly trained labor force The second largest commodity was cotton, may be the point of initial attraction for which contributed 3.9 percent of the county’s Total Land Area: 434,554 acres many companies, the cost of operations total agricultural and forestry production. Farmland: 210,707 acres The third largest was cattle, which contributed and the quality of life in the Wiregrass 3.1 percent of the county’s total agricultural Timberland: 230,322 acres and forestry production. are undeniable drivers of the region’s Number of Farms: 971 climbing profile. Although the Wiregrass Top Agricultural Commodities Population: 50,526 Production Value Added* Indirect Business Commodity Jobs has access to several major interstates, (Mn$) (Mn$) Taxes (Mn$) Total Employment: 22,256 jobs airports and even a rail line, there is sub- Poultry & egg 148.1 698 44.7 2.4 Total Economic Activity: $2.6 billion Cotton 9.6 79 3.7 0.2 Top Industry Groups: stantially less traffic in the area compared Cattle 7.5 91 1.3 0.2 Agriculture, Forestry, to areas that are intersected by multiple * Value Added is the value that is added to a product at the stage of its and Related Industries manufacture or distribution. trade routes or flooded with urban com- Manufacturing Real Estate and Rentals muters. With less traffic, comes shorter travel times for residents, and monetary savings for firms using on-the-ground www.AlabamaAgImpact.com transport.

In the end, it is the quality of life which attracts professionals. With some of the Coffee and Geneva Counties best school districts in the state, afford- able housing and a renowned health system, the appeal of the Wiregrass Region extends far beyond price points.

The Wiregrass has all the trappings of industrial success without the pressures of urban life. With several pre-planned sites open for development, a legacy of inge- nuity and a workforce primed and ready to do business, the Alabama Wiregrass region is the definition of a pro-business environment. “We have a unique mental- ity and culture here. We work together, and that is part of the reason people like being here.” Train for your career in aviation maintenance Wiregrass Economic DevelopmentFall registration Corporation now open

PO Box 310130 | Enterprise, Alabama 36331 | P: 334-393-4769 | F: 334-393-8127 | E: [email protected]

www.wiregrassedc.com

The Alabama Aviation Centers offers training in Airframe, Powerplant, Avionics Technology, Composite Materials

There is also an option for an Associate Degree from Enterprise State Community College. 5 statewide locations Mobile, Decatur, Ozark Albertville, Andalusia PROJECT PROJECT SUPPORTERS www.troycable.net aviation.escc.eduwww.escc.edu // 251-438-2816 // 334-347-2623www.dura-cast.com 1975 Avenue C in Mobile

Unit 210, 1310 Hollis Street, Halifax NS B3J 3P3, Canada | Phone: 1-888-477-2938 Ext. 206