More Alabama Communities Recognized for Economic Development

In addition to its Competitiveness Award, Site Selection magazine also recognized the Top Economic Development Groups of 2004.

Two of the top ten were from Alabama - the Cullman Economic Development Agency and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, honorable mentions went to the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Wow...who would have thought that Cullman was becoming such an economic powerhouse? But, apparently it is. According to the article linked above:

...Cullman is small but mighty. Cullman County, halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville in northern Alabama, has only 78,000 residents, but its industrial base blows away communities much larger in size.

"The automotive industry has had a major impact on Cullman, not to mention the entire Southeast," says Peggy Smith, director of the Cullman Economic Development Agency. "The jobs the automotive industry offers are well-paying, quality jobs. The automotive industry has seen what type of work force Cullman and Alabama have to offer. Cullman has been chosen time and again because of our central location, which makes it perfect for the automotive industry's just-in-time delivery."

Cullman's strength in Alabama is reflected in the state's "2004 New and Expanding Industry Report," which ranked Cullman first statewide in new industry announcements; second in new announced jobs; third in new announced investment; first in existing industry expansions; and first in total company project announcements.

All that and still dry.