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Rural Action Commission director says workforce development important
The former state senator from Lineville addressed the annual meeting of the Clarke County Development Foundation Oct. 18 in the Fulton town square. The perception of the state as an industrial leader began with the Mercedes Benz plant in Vance, Dial said. "Our whole vision of what Alabama is about had changed." The almost $4 million ThyssenKrupp plant is "the largest single investment in America (to build a plant) by a private company." The construction of the plant will not only affect South Alabama but the state as a whole, Dial said. Building on the success of the Black Belt Action Commission, a new Alabama Rural Action Commission has been formed to represent eight regions. Clarke County is in Region 6. The kick-off meeting for Region 6 will be at 1 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Camden School of Arts. "The most difficult thing we have in Alabama is getting cities (counties and regions) to work together," he said. Communities have let football rivalries carry over in a fight for economic development. "It's been detrimental in the past in getting industry. We've got to get past that." Dial commended the work of the Development Foundation. "You're making a difference," he said. "What better thing can you say that you're making the quality of life better.…You're doing exactly what the Governor wants us to do statewide. He wants us to work as a region…and everybody get on the team. "…If I could take what you're doing and replicate it all over the state, my job would be so simple. But, I still go into those areas where there is that bitter competition - where some mayors won't even talk to the other. If they do, their constituents won't vote for them." The new ARCC will concentrate on areas of economic development, workforce development, health and education. The committees are made up of volunteers appointed by the governor. Jackson Mayor Richard Long serves as a co-chairman of one of the commission committees. Dial confessed that he was going to steal some of the ideas from the county development foundation and take them back to other regions. He invited community leaders in Clarke County to come to the Nov. 6 meeting in Camden. To quote Gov. Riley, "don't let anybody in this state say 'I had a great idea in this state and nobody would listen.' That (meeting) is your opportunity to come and be heard and participate." Dial praised the work of state representatives Thomas Jackson and Marc Keahey in helping pass the state fiscal 2008 education budget, which had "a total growth of $500 million new dollars." Education funding comes from sales tax and income tax. "It's pretty simple economics," he said. "Give them a job; they'll get a check; they will spend it at Wal- Mart or Dollar General…it will go to the state; it will go for education." A result of money spent on education is that "Alabama has just been graded as one of the top states in teaching our students to read."
"…It's an exciting time to be a part of Alabama," Dial said. "…If you're not excited today about being an Alabamian, hold up your hand and we'll call the rescue squad and get you to the doctor. Your state has never had the economic prosperity we have."
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