Jason Wright, project manager for the North Alabama Industrial Development Association located in Decatur spoke to the Cullman County Utility Alliance this week at The All Steak in Cullman.
    The group was impressed with the history of NAIDA's work and statistics that show North Alabama exceeding the state and even national averages in many categories that are important to economic development, especially SAT scores.
    Wright presented an electronic display to the group that is used on industrial recruiting trips to such places as New York, Chicago and Atlanta and in meeting with site selection consultants. Wright also gave an overview of NAIDA's role in industrial recruiting in North Alabama.

    The quarterly luncheon is well attended by almost every utility in Cullman County-electricity, gas, water, cellular, cable, telephone, sewer service providers and many of the mayors and commissioners as well as county and state highway engineers. The alliance was formed about three years ago by the Cullman County Economic Development Office with the support of the Cullman County Commission.
    Cullman County Economic Development Director Randall Shedd closed the meeting by thanking all the utilities for their contribution to a strong local economy.
    "Without infrastructure and utilities, we wouldn't have economic development, and I want you to know how much I appreciate the impact of our local utilities on our local economy," Shedd said. "A report that just came out shows Cullman County is 10th in the state in population gains from migration - people moving in and out - and that wouldn't be possible without utilities and infrastructure."
 

Related Links

• NAIDA's website