Next Boost for Regional Planning:
A grant-funded collaboration
The newly formed Coastal Alabama Leadership Council will a big step towards implementation of recommendations in the “Roadmap to Resilience” report thanks to a just-announced grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The grant, which will be managed by the Economic Development Partners of Alabama, partners the Leadership Council and the University of South Alabama with state-wide institutions. The grant’s goals coincide with the Leadership Council’s mandate to work with local governments and non-profits to advance a regional vision for building a healthier environment, healthier communities and a healthier economy.
Read Mobile Press-Register coverage of the grant announcement here.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley underlined the connection between the state’s coastal region and towns and counties north of the beaches and bayous. “Although the Gulf coast counties were ground zero for the spill, the impact is felt state-wide,” said the governor. “This collaboration of the business community, government and universities represents the best of Alabama, and the strategic approach to economic development is why Alabama will emerge from this crisis as a stronger, more competitive state.”
Soon, the partners in the grant effort will outline an agenda that will take them into communities in the eight southernmost counties in Alabama. Their mission will be to assess capacities for future development and to identify gaps between where communities are now and where they need to be to improve their citizens’ quality of life and to broaden access to future opportunities.
By the time the partners’ research is underway, the Leadership Council hopes to have an executive director on board. A search committee is reviewing applications. Anyone interested in applying for the post should send a resume and letter of interest here.
Watch these posts for updates.