Tullos outlines WEDC accomplishments, plans

The year 2015 was a great year and 2016 is expected to be even better.

That was the message Jonathon Tullos brought to the nearly 200 business and community leaders attending the Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation Annual Investors’ lunch meeting held at the Enterprise Civic Center Jan 19.

Tullos is executive director of the WEDC and he credited those in attendance with working together as a regional team for the economic success of the last year. “Your vision and financial commitment to economic growth allows this organization to thrive,” he said.

The WEDC is comprised of business and community leaders and elected officials from the municipalities within Coffee and Geneva County. The organization’s purpose is to “foster and encourage economic development activities that result in job creation, retention, increased tax base and an improved sustainability and quality of life” for the citizens of Coffee and Geneva County, according to Tullos.

Enterprise native Neal Brown is immediate past president of the board of directors. At the Jan. 19 meeting, he passed the leadership gavel to David B. Hayes of Geneva.

Other WEDC 2016 officers are Jake Cowen, vice chairman; Trent Dillard, secretary; and, Steve McKinnon, treasurer.

WEDC board members are Terry Barnes, Kenneth Boswell, Jack Brunson, Philip Carter, Billy Cotter, Rich Ellis, Sandy Hammer, Kelly Jones, Jimmy Jones, Harry Kim, Eddie Kelley, Chris McCollum, John L. Mitchell Jr., Les Moreland, Mickey Murdock, Dr. Vicky Ohlson, Jeff Sorrells, Michael Townsend and Philip Wilkes.

Tullos provided an overview of WEDC’s accomplishments and plans for the future.

“How do we measure success? One way is through employment,” Tullos said. Dorsey Trailers in Elba added 50 jobs, bringing their total employed to 150. HSAA in Enterprise now employs 600 and Arista in Enterprise now employs 200 people. Pridecraft in Enterprise added 11 jobs.

The Wiregrass region was featured in three national publications, Tullos said, naming Business Alabama, Business in Focus and Southern Business and Development.

WEDC also attended the Paris Air Show, the Army Aviation Annual Symposium, EDAA Conferences and Fabtech trade shows.

The WEDC was well represented in the Fort Rucker Listening Session which preceded a national decision about budget cuts in the military, Tullos said. “We worked together regionally and I would call it a success,” he said, noting that jobs lost at Fort Rucker were significantly less than those of neighboring military installations.

Elba and Geneva both achieved Alabama Communities of Excellence status after completing a three-year strategic program and plan. Elba was also selected for the Main Street Alabama Program, an economic development initiative with a focus on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to the state’s historic communities.

“Education and training opportunities were offered for our investors and companies throughout the region through partnerships with Alabama Industrial Development Training and Troy University’s Small Business Development Center,” Tullos said, adding that WEDC participated on the Region 10 Workforce Development Council. “We assisted our local community colleges seeking grants.

Region 10 also developed the Wiregrass Works initiative that will involve 4,000 eighth graders from nine counties Feb. 24-25 at the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan.

“Let me take this opportunity recognize our elected officials,” Tullos said. “They have a vision, have adopted a regional approach and most importantly, they are committed to creating jobs.

“In 2016 we will build on the foundation we have laid, focusing on four key industry segments, Tullos said, citing aerospace, automotive, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.

Tullos commended the state’s post secondary education system and the K-12 system for striving towards a common goal. “That goal is to bring our children home,” he said citing Geneva Mayor Phillip Carter and State. Rep. Donnie Chesteen’s efforts to bring a technical college to Geneva County.

This year, WEDC plans to focus on recruiting and retaining four main industries, to include aerospace, agriculture, automotive and metal manufacturing, Tullos said. “I am optimistic that 2016 will be even better and look forward to working with our board to make that a reality.”