MUMBLINGS July 28, 2005

From time to time this column has told of various organizations in Baldwin including private, public and other groups who work hard and cooperate to make this county a finer place in which to live.

There are hundreds of evidences they are succeeding in their goals.

One of the groups contributing to this is the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. This is a private Economic Development Corporation whose mission is to implement an economic development program that improves the quality of life.

The efficient Alliance employees are Lance LaCour, President and CEO; Bob Higgins, Vice President; Sean Lytle, Manager, Research and Information Technology; Karen Glover, Operations Manager; Joyce Kinard, Administrative Assistant, and Jody Schneider, Research.

Various contributors throughout the county, including industrial, private, cities, etc., finance this group. In operation for less than 10 years, it has accomplished much. Its leadership is appointed by the five Chambers of Commerce, which include Gulf Shores/ Orange Beach, South Baldwin in Foley, Central Baldwin at Robertsdale, Eastern Shore, Fairhope, And North Baldwin in Bay Minette.

Although their chief objective is to increase industrial jobs, they also contribute in many other ways like furnishing ideas and suggestions on many areas of value to the citizens. During the 10-year period, the Alliance has facilitated the creation of over 5,500 jobs and $300 million in capital investment in the county according to the Alliance.

Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce Executives recently participated in a meeting with the Alliance to discuss "Big Picture" planning for the future growth in the county.

According to the Alliance's Bob Higgins "current growth rates indicate Baldwin County's population will surpass Mobile County's within the next 25 years, if not sooner. This population explosion will put added pressure on municipal, county and state infrastructure such as water, sewer and electric as well as education, transportation, and housing."

Higgins advised the group to begin laying the groundwork now to prepare for the growth.

In the short term, the next three years, Higgins estimates 9,000 new condos (some estimate 12,500) will become available, creating roughly 10,800 new jobs. In the retail sector, approximately three million square feet are under construction or in the planning stage, resulting in 21,000 new jobs, he said.

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Although this is exciting, there are some who are concerned about the growth. Some existing industries claim they are already having difficulty finding workers.

Although most of our growth has been through tourists and increased population, better paying jobs are often found in industries. We must realize that the building boom might not last forever.

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Evidence of the efforts Baldwin has shown, American City Business Journals on June 27 ranked Baldwin County No. 1 in the South Central Region for counties that offer a less expensive, more relaxed alternative for Quality of Life in non-metropolitan Communities.

ACBJ identified the most desirable havens in 13 different sections or regions of America from the far West to New England. The South Central Region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The top 10 South Central regions included Franklin and Boyle counties in Kentucky, six counties in Oklahoma, and Lee County, Mississippi overall.

Baldwin ranked 17th in Quality of Life out of all the counties in the nation.

Anyway, the Alliance and other agencies working so hard within the county to make improvements should be encouraged and congratulated.

See you again soon, I hope.