In search of jobs

By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 20, 2009

Landing new industry has never been easy. In today's economy the task is even more difficult.

Just getting on a potential manufacturers radar takes time, effort and a variety of resources.

"We've got to be seen. And we use every option we can to get our name out there," said Jackson County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Dus Rogers.

Rogers holds a B.S from Auburn University. He is a graduate of the New South Economic Development course at the University of Southern Mississippi, Auburn University's Intensive Economic Development curriculum and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Rogers travels extensively telling people about Jackson County. He says it is important to meet people face-to-face and develop relationships as part of the recruiting process.

"We use our web site, brochures and our association with the Alabama Development Office, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, which is now headed by former Mercedes Benz of Alabama head Bill Taylor, TVA and the North Alabama Industrial Development Association to get the word out," Rogers said. "It works. We've been featured in publications and presentations by all of these economic development partners."

"Before I was elected I really did not understand what goes into industrial recruiting," Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter said. "Now I have a better appreciation for the job done by the JCEDA, its board and the Scottsboro Industrial Development Board. They all play their part and do a good job."

Rogers and the JCEDA team of Shelia Shepard and Marilyn Lott use all available tools to identify prospects and make contact. And they also use a number of resources to help existing industries thrive and grow.

JCEDA's Business Retention and Expansion program is designed to provide information and help to existing industry, comparable to that given to new prospects. Tax incentives, financing information, workforce development opportunities, market research and international trade information are just some of the services offered under the program.

Shepard, an Athens State College graduate, is vice president of JCEDA. She is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Auburn University economic development programs.

Lott serves as executive assistant. She holds a B.S. degree in marketing and management from the University of North Alabama and, after completing Auburn University's and USM's economic development coursework, is enrolled in the University of Oklahoma EDI.

"I have been pleasantly surprised at how much activity is going on in industrial recruiting," said Potter. "A lot of that has to be kept behind the scene and confidential for obvious reasons. We have seen the results of the effort being made in recent days and with other projects working we anticipate receiving more good news in the future."

One of the tools the JCEDA team uses is a designation.

Jackson County was the first to complete Alabama's AdvantageSite program. The designation gives local economic developers across the state the opportunity to assure prospects that the area is ready for industry.

"Going through the application process was a valuable experience for us," said Rogers. "It has already assisted us greatly in completing the RFP (Request for Proposal) process for projects that have been looking since our designation.

"It helps us to be prepared. We've got the basics of a package ready and can complete it quickly," added Rogers. "We can then PDF it and send it to a site location consultant or directly to the prospect by email."

AdvantageSite is an industrial site documentation program that provides critical information for prospects in the site selection process. The 311-acre Jackson County Industrial Park at Hollywood received the designation in May 2008. The other locations in north Alabama to have received the designation include: Cullman Industrial Park IV, Rogersville Industrial Park, MG (Franklin County) Industrial Park and the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park. Three other sites have received the status statewide while another dozen are in the application process.

The Jackson County Industrial Park has one tenant, KTNA, which serves the automotive industry. It also has two shell buildings ready for prospects, which Rogers says has led to more companies visiting the area and help market the county.

AdvantageSite requires standard data on ownership and control of the proposed industrial property, environmental information, geotechnical and infrastructure status. All sites must meet size, zoning and accessibility requirements.

"This program has the benefit of ...helping state and regional economic developers become more familiar with prospective industrial sites," ADO Director of Recruitment David Hutchison said. "It also helps us to avoid unwanted 'surprises,' which can derail the state's chance of winning a project."

"I talk with Dus weekly. He is always busy showing prospects property, making phone contacts, traveling and sending information out," Potter said. "He and I have a good relationship and the JCEDA and our IDB work well together."

JCEDA's website recently received over 4,000 unique visits after Rogers made a trip to Wolfsburg, Germany to make contact with Volkswagen and its suppliers. The company will manufacture a mid-sized sedan at its new Chattanooga, Tenn. facility scheduled to open in 2011. Rogers provided data on the county and available site locations in German. The tri-fold brochures he used were jointly developed and paid for by the EDA, DeKalb and Marshall County EDA's, and with help from the State of Alabama.

Another brochure touts the Jackson County Industrial Park as "an ideal location for Volkswagen suppliers." It is also available in German.

The website provides demographic data, workforce statistics, educational opportunities and highlights the quality of life Jackson Countians enjoy with activities available year round for the outdoor enthusiast. It details available industrial sites, existing industries and the advantages of choosing the area.

JCEDA, in cooperation with NAIDA (North Alabama Industrial Development Association), TVA's economic development division and DeKalb and Marshall County EDA's, also developed a website designed specifically to attract automotive suppliers. The site, www.AutomotiveSites.us, highlights northeast Alabama's close proximity to automotive manufacturers in four states. It identifies northeast Alabama as being "the hub of the North American Automotive Manufacturing Corridor."

The site also provides information on available industrial property in the three-county area, workforce data, incentives, business cost comparisons and more. It's comprehensive and provides site consultants and industrial prospects with a wealth of reasons to choose Jackson County.

"It's a never-ending job. But you never know what lead and contact will end in success," Rogers said. "That's why we want to meet people and be seen as much as possible. That is why we use every avenue we can to promote Jackson County as a good place to do business and call home."