BUSINESS MATTERS

Karin Hopkins

This community has an organization called the Macon County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) and it is truly doing its job. MCEDA was birthed into existence by state legislation for a clear and distinct purpose—to grow the Macon County by attracting investors and industry. The structure of the organization is admirably balanced, with a board of directors that was strategically designed to ensure that every part of Macon County has a seat at the table. Board members represent all of the municipalities within the county as well as the Macon County Commission, Macon County Board of Education, Tuskegee University and the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce. The MCEDA handprint is all over the Exit 38 project that could transform this interstate exit into an economic bonanza. MCEDA supported the Town of Shorter in the effort to get the Love’s Travel Center at Exit 22. Taking a proactive approach to business development, MCEDA has commissioned studies to show developers that they can make money by investing in Tuskegee and Macon County. Five years ago a study showed that our community was losing $138 million each year because of spending in other cities by Macon County residents. After several retailers opened their doors here, including Hibbett’s Sports, Farmer’s Home Furniture, Auto Zone and Pizza Hut, the economic leakage subsided and we are now losing about $80 million annually. But that is still a lot of money flowing from our wallets into other cities’ businesses. We also learned from an MCEDA commissioned study that 71% of credit card purchases in Macon County come from cardholders who do not live in Macon County and that they are affluent customers. It is clear that we could be so much more prosperous if we had the right mix of businesses to cause us to shop local. As an astute observer, I have witnessed firsthand how much time and effort MCEDA pours into the various projects on the organization’s priority list. As the executive director of the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce, I thank MCEDA for the Leonardo DRS T-100 project that could settle in Tuskegee if the U.S. Air Force chooses the company’s T-100 training fighter jet. Like many aspects of life here, the Chamber and its members could benefit from the presence of Leonardo DRS. So while we optimistically claim this prospective, new corporate citizen, we should also know that other companies are similarly looking at this community. We can thank MCEDA for curating assets throughout Macon County and marketing these business advantages to the world. Let’s commend MCEDA for great stewardship of public resources and for effectively tending to critical BUSINESS MATTERS.

Karin Hopkins is executive director of the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce and also co-founder of ECHOboom, a digital media platform. Contact her at ourchamberworks@gmail.com.