Economic development discussion on tap for April luncheon
Creating jobs and bringing wealth to the community will be a central theme at the April 19 Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, during which Neal Wade, director of the University of Alabama Development Academy, will speak.
The luncheon, sponsored by Prestige Alarm, will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Trussville Civic Center, 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.
“I enjoy this part of it more than sitting in an office,” Wade said of speaking at the luncheon. “You have to get out into the communities. You have to understand what their assets are and their challenges so you can understand their needs as much as possible.”
Wade is in his fourth year at the University of Alabama, where he teaches economic development and coordinates the Advanced Economic Development Leadership program with three other universities. Previously, he served as director of the Alabama Development Office (now the Department of Commerce) for eight years under Gov. Bob Riley, where he helped bring several business to Alabama, including suppliers for the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology in Huntsville and German-based ThyssenKrupp Steel in Calvert, which has since been sold to ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel or AM/NS.
Through his new role at UA, Wade is using his experience in business recruitment and sharing a multifaceted strategy with other community leaders across the state and nation.
“It’s an interesting process we’re going through, and I’m hoping we’re going to be able to train economic developers from all over the U.S.,” Wade said. “It’s a way that the university can give back to the community, and we can certainly help these economic developers and elected officials be a little more aware of what quality economic development is.”
Wade said he plans to discuss what the academy does and how it can be applied to communities such as Trussville through strengthening existing industries, development of commercial retail and entrepreneurial programs.
“The whole objective is you want to have an effective job creation strategy. One of my definitions of economic development is that it’s creating wealth and providing a tax base for the community through tax creation,” Wade said. “It’s not going to be from just recruiting industry but through other things that create jobs and bring wealth to the community.”
Each month, the chamber luncheon begins with a 30-minute network-development time during which members and guests can network and exchange business cards with the estimated 80-100 individuals expected to attend. After lunch, the chamber will honor its monthly Customer Service Award winners. Door prizes will also be given away.
To register, visit trussvillechamber.com or contact June Mathews by phone at 655-7535 or email june.mathews@trussvillechamber.com.
Cost for the luncheon is $17 (cash, debit or check) or $17.68 if paying by credit card (includes a 4 percent processing fee). Online registration closes at midnight on Monday, April 16, but the chamber will accept registration by phone until noon Tuesday, April 17. All non-members must pay in advance.