The Leadership Summit: Shaping the Region's Economic Future
Congressman Jo Bonner, Honorary Summit Chair
November 17, 2003
Mobile, AL

Economic Development Summit Highlights Recommendations for Growth
Delegates focus on attracting entrepreneurs & new businesses to the region

MOBILE, AL – November 17, 2003 – More than 375 delegates at an economic development summit for southwest Alabama called for a unified regional vision and plan of action to attract entrepreneurs and new businesses to the region. 

The Leadership Summit: Shaping the Region’s Economic Future, organized by the Public Forum Institute, was held to develop a set of recommendations to address a number of challenges facing local communities and stimulate economic growth throughout the region. 

When asked what the first step should be in attracting businesses to the region, 37 percent of the delegates responded using wireless keypads with ‘excellent schools,’ followed closely by a ‘skilled workforce’ at 36 percent. 

Congressman Jo Bonner, who served as the honorary summit chair, called for a unified vision for southwest Alabama that addresses economic development throughout the region’s cities and rural counties. The idea was strongly endorsed by summit delegates, with more than 50 percent answering that it would be the most effective way to attract entrepreneurs and new businesses.

Other recommendations that enjoyed broad-based support from summit delegates included: 

• Increase the role of education at all levels in training new entrepreneurs and attracting/supporting new businesses

• Develop infrastructure and provide access to community resources to attract new businesses 

• Provide educational opportunities to prepare individuals to start, manage and grow in business

• More broadly develop apprenticeship programs for all trades 

• Facilitate the linking of existing businesses to market opportunities, available incentives and other available resources

Donald Evans, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, stressed the importance of entrepreneurship to stimulating a national economic recovery. “Our economy creates 32 million new jobs each year,” said Evans. “And small businesses are responsible for the majority of net new jobs.”

The Public Forum Institute will compile a report upon completion of the summit, outlining participants’ views, suggestions and responses to the issues raised throughout the summit. The report will be available at the organization’s website – www.publicforuminstitute.org - at the end of the week. 

“Today we saw great talent and innovative ideas from a wide array of leaders,” stated Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Public Forum Institute. “I’m hopeful that the communities of southwest Alabama can work together to implement the broad recommendations developed today.”

Overview

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eFORUM Results

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