CULLMAN —
New statistics show Cullman remains one of the top economic areas in the state.
According to the Alabama Development Office, Cullman’s 2011 efforts to build and maintain a competitive economic environment were No. 2 for new and expanding industries, No. 1 for existing industry expansions, No. 1 non-metro area for new and existing industries, and in the top 10 in several other categories.
For overall projects, Cullman is behind only Huntsville/Madison County in the rankings.
The success of Cullman is founded in a local commitment to fund economic development. While Cullman is smaller than many of the metropolitan areas that funnel money into economic expansion, the work here is well funded and held in high importance by area leaders.
Beyond a willingness to fund the development agency, the commitment to making an environment favorable for industrial expansion has been a key part of the local success. Without the continual appreciation for the industries that call Cullman home, the expansions and investments that fuel economic growth would never happen.
Another important aspect of economic growth is that success does not come at the hands of just one agency. Cooperation among different entities within the local government structure and the business community are vital in making expansions and new investments possible.
The recognition from the state is well deserved for the local team, but those involved in economic development understand that a successful program leaves little time for looking back. Competition for jobs is fierce across the state and across the nation. The funding and cooperation that makes economic development successful for the Cullman area should not be taken for granted. The relationships and funding needed for success should be one of the area’s persistent priorities.
Editorials
Growth and cooperation
- Editorials
-
-
Taking the lead in education
The once-heralded ‘No Child Left Behind” education initiative from the federal level has just about run out of gas.
-
Moving into the future
Hundreds of local high school seniors are accepting their diplomas and preparing to turn the page in the next chapter of their lives.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
-
EDITORIAL: The IRS' Turn to Answer Questions
Washington is now sinking its teeth into a real scandal: the Internal Revenue Service using ideological criteria to choose the targets of its attention.
-
Editorial: The house of death
The grisly details emerging from the murder trial of a Philadelphia abortion doctor place a glaring spotlight on a national disgrace.
-
Editorial: Murder, insanity and guns
James Holmes, the accused movie theater shooter in Colorado, would like for the public to believe he killed a dozen people because he was insane.
-
Lasting partnerships
Economic development officials have long noted the importance of expansions by existing industries and businesses in a community to lead growth.
-
COMMENTARY: Why does young adult fiction keep giving its heroines makeovers?
Over at This Ain't Living, s.e. smith (who, full disclosure, has guest-blogged for me at ThinkProgress) has an excellent post about one of the most pernicious trends in young adult fiction.
-
A spirit for moving forward
This weekend marked the two-year anniversary of a deadly day of tornadoes that streaked across Alabama, claiming lives and property and changing the landscape of many communities.
-
Faith and bombs
The investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing is pointing to the all-too-familiar theme of religious faith playing a major role in violence.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Taking the lead in education
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
