Economic Development…Grow it locally

Recent news of the delayed opening of a portion of the Calvert steel plant coupled with the bureaucratic nightmare surrounding the Air Force tanker contract are clear indicators that economic development deals are not bulletproof nor recession-proof. Now is not the time for us to be waiting on an economic development train that is obviously arriving late, if at all.

In addition to the ongoing efforts to attract solid, clean businesses to the Mobile Bay area, economic development leaders should consider exploring what could be done to help businesses - large and small, already here, to go to the next level. What if we provided nascent companies on the verge of growth expansion incentives at the same level we do outside corporations? Great companies create their own dynamic force with the creation of new products and services that carries them forward. Shouldn’t the Mobile Bay area do the same?

What I suggest is that the Mobile Bay area start to create opportunities on our own. Grow our own!  

Creating this kind of community-business dynamic has many ancillary benefits. It generates positive momentum that spills over into other aspects of the community. It inspires and raises the consciousness of its citizens. It creates a “Can Do” attitude. It is what makes good communities great and great communities even better.

The Mobile area has all of the ingredients - a foundation to develop a program for “localized economic development.”

One of our biggest assets is the University of South Alabama. Look around the nation at cities that continue to grow and develop. One common denominator becomes evident, a major university. Universities that play a part in the community are vital. Not only does a university educate future leaders, it attracts the best of its kind…the best medical researchers, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists. Universities and colleges attract the best in the Arts - the best writers, dancers and theatrical professionals. All of these types of professionals want to be near one another. They feed upon the “creative soup” that is available through the interaction of these people. This coalescence of expertise inspires and often establishes a force for multi-disciplined exploration that leads to business creation. Richard Florida, author of  "The Rise of the Creative Class" describes this not-so-unlikely phenomena.

Another asset the Mobile area has is experience. The coupling of experience with innovation is a powerful force. Mobile is blessed with dozens of business-savvy leaders that have insight and know how to get things done. As a young scientist, I learned early on the value an experienced researcher brings to the table. Their insight during the planning stage prior to starting a research project saved time, money and averted disappointment. The same principle applies here.

Mobile also has heart, the desire to be as good as it can be. Local efforts to meet the needs of the large announced projects were met with excitement and quick action. Programs were developed and collaborations between public and private entities popped up everywhere. Daily news included stories about new partnerships and training programs. We became and still are the envy of the Gulf Coast.

Developing a “local economic development” program places our future in our own hands…not an outside force. We could stop waiting on being selected and instead choose to be self-determining and responsible for our own economic growth that is sustainable, solid, and successful