3/25/03

I-85 CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE CREATED BY AU

AUBURN -- Auburn University has created a task force composed of public and private-sector entities to create a plan for economic development along the Interstate 85 corridor stretching from Montgomery to the Georgia state line.

"From an economic standpoint, East Alabama has many of the same attributes that have led to the creation of high quality, high paying jobs in other regions in the Southeast United States," says AU President William F. Walker, who commissioned the task force.

"Along the I-85 Corridor, there are several universities, numerous two-year colleges, outstanding medical complexes, attractive natural resources and an educated work force, to name a few," he said. "Working together, I envisage that this corridor could become a more dominant region in driving the state of Alabama's economy.

"I can't think of a better time for us to come together and create a regional economic development strategy -- not solely for the recruitment of industry, but for birthing and nurturing industry and innovation from within our spheres." In addition to representatives from AU's colleges, schools and departments on the main Auburn campus and from Auburn University at Montgomery, the mayors of Auburn and Opelika and economic development offices from area cities and counties will be involved in the project.

David Wilson, associate provost and vice president for AU Outreach, says the plan calls for high tech industry clusters of economic activity. In researching the subject, Wilson has studied the concept of overlapping clusters, or groups of interrelated industries cutting across city, county and political lines, of the U.S. economy. There are 43 industrial clusters in the United States.

"This initiative represents a new type of thinking for regional economic development," said Wilson.

For instance, an industry that produces chemical products could possibly overlap with plastics, oil and gas and processed food industries.

"Most regions tend to have two or three of these industries," said Wilson. "We need to determine what clusters would be appropriate for this region."

Mayor Bill Ham of Auburn said that the initiative is " . . . building on the university's strengths and resources. I think it has tremendous possibilities."

"I just commend Dr. Walker for putting this together," said Opelika Mayor Barbara Patton. "Auburn University is such an asset and brings so much to the table for this region, plus all the other assets we have such as health and other educational facilities."

The task force will interview three consultants in regional economic development in the coming weeks. A consultant will help determine what type of clusters would be appropriate for economic development along I-85.

Among other charges, the consultant chosen will conduct interviews with stakeholders to determine shared values and aspirations and conduct a study of assets and readiness for innovation. The consultant will also profile the corridor's culture and competitive advantages, present a road map for success and challenge the task force to think "outside the box."

The time frame for completion is about six to seven months, and all consultants being considered have said they will deliver a strategy that will be implemented.

The corridor, which extends roughly 80 miles from the Georgia state line to Montgomery, encompasses four counties -- Montgomery, Macon, Lee and Chambers, and eight municipalities, Montgomery, Tuskegee, Loachapoka, Notasulga, Auburn, Opelika, Valley and Lanett. There are 19 exits along the stretch of I-85which intersects with U.S. highways 29, 80, 82, 231, 280 and 431.

The higher education infrastructure that exists along the corridor provides advantages for technology-based industries for education, employee training, research, innovation and development opportunities. They include AU, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, AUM, Troy State University at Montgomery, Southern Union Community College and Trenholm State Technical College.

In addition, Montgomery is home to the Alabama Industrial Development Training program and the Central Alabama Skills Center.

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mar03:i85

CONTACT: Wilson, 334/844-5700.