About Us

WHEN THE LEADERS of our County decided in 1995 to form the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, some lofty goals were set...

1995 - 2000 Accomplishments

	2,600 new jobs
	$101 million in capital investment
	$8 million increase in ad valorem tax base
	125 existing industries being assisted
	Alliance has been recognized as a Top 20 economic development organization in North America

2001 - 2005 Accomplishments

	3,300 new jobs
	$157 million in capital investment
	Expanded tax base by $12.4 million
	125 relocations, expansions and startups
	$14.4 million in workforce and business grants

2006 - 2010 Goals

	$250 million in new capital investment
	$15 million in workforce and business grants
	200 relocations, expansions and startups
	300 existing business interviews

Our strategies to achieve our goals (click topics for further reading):

Support Existing Business Expansion and Workforce Development

	Conduct 300 existing business interviews, partnering with Chamber of Commerce.
	Continue to provide technical assistance (site selection, training, incentives, financing, technology integration, exporting) to existing businesses for retention and expansion.
	Promote enhanced skills training through grant opportunities/ existing business interaction.
	Market SBA hubzone and foreign trade zone to enhance government procurement opportunities and international trade opportunities.
	Continue hosting jobs website, job fairs inside and outside of county for workforce recruitment.
	Provide technical assistance/leadership to entry level workforce recruitment/retention task force and promote BEST human resources practices.
	Coordinate existing business and industry appreciation events.
	Conduct wage and underemployment surveys.
	Support and provide leadership for workforce investment board activities.
	Monitor and promote academy development and career planning development.
	Support and promote high-technology career planning, and workforce development.
	Baldwin Technology Council.
	Provide administrative support to South Baldwin Technology Council.

Support Start-Up Businesses

Continue support of Business Incubator and develop at least 30,000 sq. ft. of incubator space to be leased/built.

Enhance the loan making capabilities of BCEDA through revolving loan funds, continue support of local and regional venture capital initiatives and explore development of regional venture capital fund.

Shape Region's Growth and Support Community Development

Continue to provide technical assistance to cities with planning, design, development, and marketing of business parks and sites.

Continue to provide technical assistance and support for identification, acquisition and development of public/private park sites for cities interested.

Focus efforts to certify mega site in Bay Minette for automotive assembly plant and other large manufacturers.

Partner to develop university research parks in the county.

Promote designation of special improvement districts/tax increment districts.

Fund, develop, and market Bay Minette (50,000 sq. ft.) Shell Building, Daphne Shell Building and other Shell Building projects as they may arise.

Develop hangers at airport(s) as spec buildings for aerospace industries.

Market Baldwin to office park developers to develop class A and B office buildings and parks.

Provide marketing support to developers planning to construct class A and B office space.

Smart Growth: Collaborate with interested cities and Envision Coastal Alabama to promote smart growth principles. Support public transportation initiatives.

Affordable Housing: Partner with other interested organizations to increase affordable housing opportunities and promote affordable housing resources to existing businesses.

Retail/Service Industry Support: Provide interested cities with service/retail/ industry recruitment support such as formation of commercial development authorities, incentives development, site identification and demographic databases.

Competitiveness: Support formation of a regional industrial development authority (Mobile, Baldwin and Washington Counties) as a mechanism to win mega projects that have regional economic impact.

Explore idea of regional airport consolidation into Baldwin County.

Expand Baldwin County Economy Through Business Development

	Conduct locational audit/target market analysis/jobs of the future (20 years out) analysis to focus marketing efforts and align objectives.
	Develop and execute a white-collar job recruitment strategy.
	Attend 5 trade shows/year and state trade organization meetings (AITA, AAMA etc.).
	Implement 3 site consultant/national real estate broker trips each year.
	Conduct coordinated and targeted e-mail/direct mail campaign to target industries and companies.
	Subscribe to specialized websites that drive prospects to BCEDA for RFP submittals.
	Continue tourism marketing efforts to tap condo owners/ business travelers for business relocation.
	Hire international public relations firm to conduct national/international image/marketing campaign and branding.
	Continue to build and enhance relationships with ADO, utilities, real estate brokers and allies through target visits and Fam Tours.
	Enhance research functions and support with additional staff and GIS system to enhance response and quality of proposals, packages and websites.
	Continue regional marketing efforts with Mobile Chamber of Commerce/ Mobile Airport Authority to attract prospects such as EADS.
	Generate 2,500 jobs from existing firms and non-targeted new companies.