Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce APRIL 2019 the What’s Your Favorite Restaurant? Kemira Invests in Mobile Innovation PortAL Breaks Ground The first full-stack managed solutions provider. Consider IT managed. The new C Spire Business is the nation’s first ever to combine advanced connectivity with cloud, software, hardware, communications, and professional services to create a single, seamless, managed IT service portfolio. The result is smarter. Faster. More secure. From desktop to data center, we step in wherever you need us and take on your biggest technology challenges. You focus on business. cspire.com/business | 855.CSPIRE2 ©2018 C Spire. All rights reserved. 2 the business view APRIL 2019 the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce APRIL 2019 | In this issue ON THE COVER We asked the Mobile Area Chamber team about their favorite downtown dining spots, From the Publisher - Bill Sisson and Von’s Bistro was on the list. Pictured is co-owner Von Larson, who blends a variety of cuisines with family recipes. Read about Infrastructure Matters others on pgs.17-21. Photo by Jeff Tesney. It’s no secret that America’s growth. With our region’s infrastructure is crumbling. excellent transportation 4 News You Can Use Despite being the richest framework, this is an area 12 Small Business of the Month: country in the world, the where Mobile can, and does, Green Magic Landscape LLC United States ranks 11th for compete handily. infrastructure competitiveness, This will be important 13 Small Business Corner: How according to the World work to ensure we remain on Process Cadence Can Help Your Economic Forum. The the short list for site selectors, Business American Society of Civil and to make sure we protect 14 Annual Meeting in Photos Engineers (ASCE) prepares our quality of life for all our state-level report cards on the citizens. 16 Investor Focus: Leavell Investment condition of infrastructure, such as roads, Alabama’s and Mobile’s ability to realize Management bridges, ports, water, wastewater and public our competitive potential depends on 17 What’s Your Favorite Restaurant? transit. making smart infrastructure choices in the America’s cumulative GPA stands at a critical upcoming years. We must respond 22 CEO Profile: Duncan Gillis dismal D+, and grades by state range from to economic, demographic and fiscal 24 Chamber Hosts Military Affairs A to F. Alabama comes in at a C-. It would changes so we can help our people and Luncheon take billions of dollars to upgrade our businesses continue to thrive and prosper. failing systems, but I’m convinced it is 25 Chamber@Work going to be absolutely necessary for the U.S. 27 Board of Advisor Profiles: Mark D. and Alabama to continue to grow Fillers and Cliff Lambert economically – and to ensure shared 28 Business Spotlight of the Month: growth and prosperity for ourselves and Ransom Ministries future generations. But ever-growing demands on that 28 Ambassador of the Month: infrastructure will require the Mobile Area Lisa Kavanagh The first full-stack Chamber to remain out front in our efforts 29 Calendar to advocate for increased funding for deep water access at the port, the I-10 bridge 31 Member News managed solutions provider. project, road widening projects around the 34 Anniversaries city, the expansion of our airports and 35 New Members continued water and wastewater improvements to our aging systems. From an economic development standpoint, a weak infrastructure is a 8 the business view is published monthly, Consider IT managed. community’s most significant barrier to except for the combined issue of December/January, by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce The new C Spire Business is the nation’s first ever to combine advanced 451 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 connectivity with cloud, software, hardware, communications, and professional 251-433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2019 Publisher William B. Sisson services to create a single, seamless, managed IT service portfolio. The result is Executive Editor Leigh Perry-Herndon smarter. Faster. More secure. From desktop to data center, we step in wherever you Managing Editor Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor Michelle Irvin need us and take on your biggest technology challenges. You focus on business. Additional Writers and Editors Mike Herndon, Ashley Horn, Susan Rak-Blanchard and Carolyn Wilson Printing Services: Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design: Wise Design Inc. cspire.com/business | 855.CSPIRE2 Advertising Account Executive: René Eiland 251-431-8635 [email protected] ©2018 C Spire. All rights reserved. 14 17 the business view APRIL 2019 3 NEWS you can use The team at Kemira is proud of the investment being made in its Mobile facility. Currently the company employs 60 and will increase that number by 32 percent. Kemira Makes Significant Investment in Mobile Facility Kemira, a leading global construction will begin this “This expansion by Kemira County Commission President polymer producer serving the year on the project, which will is about more than just jobs – Connie Hudson. pulp and paper, oil and gas, and be operational in 2021. “We are it’s about a global company The existing site first opened water treatment industries, expanding on our current reinvesting in our city and in 1938, initially focused on the plans to invest $70.8 million in footprint and will significantly renewing a relationship that area’s lumber and pulp and its Mobile facility. The company increase production to meet our dates back more than 80 years. paper businesses. Mobile is one uses chemistry to add optimal customers’ demand in the oil When existing businesses are of three Kemira facilities in the quality, functionality and and gas industry,” he said. thriving in combination with United States, with the others in strength to paper and board “There has been significant new jobs and investment, that’s Columbus, Ga., and Aberdeen, products, ensure the safety and growth in the area’s a winning formula,” said City Miss. Kemira’s parent company, hygiene of water and food manufacturing and chemical of Mobile Mayor Sandy Kemira Oyj, is based in Helsinki, packaging and maximize yield sectors, whose companies Stimpson. Finland, with its American from energy resources. historically provide high- “We are very excited about headquarters in Atlanta. LOCAL TRAINING WITH A The project will create an paying jobs for our community. Kemira’s decision to expand additional 20 jobs, growing I look forward to seeing what operations in Mobile County to You’ll see this symbol with Kemira’s workforce by 32 the future holds for Kemira as meet customer demand. Their stories featuring Chamber initiatives. percent, to handle new process they continue to excel in additional $70 million capital investment and 20 jobs further REGIONAL IMPACT operations, increased logistics Mobile,” said Shelby Glover, and support functions at the site. the Mobile Area Chamber’s demonstrate Mobile’s growing Richard Ryder, Kemira’s senior project manager of attraction for foreign direct Mobile plant manager, said economic development. investment,” said Mobile 4 the business view APRIL 2019 It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System and Coastal Alabama Community College that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law. Untitled-9 1 2/14/19 12:39 PM LOCAL TRAINING WITH A REGIONAL IMPACT It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System and Coastal Alabama Community College that no person shall be the business view APRIL 2019 5 discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law. Untitled-9 1 2/14/19 12:39 PM SUPERIOR TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS ON TRACK Having dedicated, reliable internet access is critical for both survival and success. Gigabit+ Fiber Solutions from Mediacom Business delivers ultra-fast internet, up to 10 Gig and beyond, with unmatched performance. It’s the speed and dependability you need to compete beyond your geographical boundaries. Dedicated Transparent Primary Internet LAN Rate Access Service Interface from CALL 866-955-2225 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 6 the business view APRIL 2019 ©2019 Mediacom Communications Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Reliability_mobile_chambiz_9.5x12.25_1.indd 1 1/30/19 2:47 PM Mobile’s Entrepreneurial Center Begins Renovation & New Construction on Permanent Hayley Van Antwerp, Innovation PortAL’s executive director, has worked for this groundbreaking for several years and couldn’t hold her excitement. Facility Innovation PortAL reached another major milestone in its quest to retain, support and accelerate the central Gulf Coast’s highest-performing startups. Community, business and education leaders celebrated the organization’s groundbreaking in February. “Innovation PortAL is modern day economic development,” said Frank Lott This group represents the initial group of community leaders who rallied around the creation of Innovation PortAL. Pictured left with Heritage Homes, who to right are: Bill Sisson, Mobile Area Chamber; Frank Lott, Heritage Homes; Hayley Van Antwerp, Innovation PortAL; Merceria serves as both PortAL board Ludgood, Mobile County Commission; Lynn Chronister, University