1. Investor Insider SUMMER 2010 DRAFT 1 barry mask
Articles:
Despite Economy, Retail & Industrial Expansions Planned Barry
If inquiries, visits and property sales are any indication, then the first quarter of 2011 should see several retail and industrial expansions
and announcements. On the retail side activity remains strongest on Wetumpka’s 231 Corridor from downtown to the river bridge at
Redland Road. ECEDA has met with several investors and franchisees. The renewed interest also exists for Millbrook’s Highway 14
corridor coming off of I-65 and Tallassee’s 229 Corridor to its downtown which is being revitalized.
On the industrial side we may not have to wait until 2011. A couple of local manufacturers and technology firms are poised to make
announcements on expansions from mid-summer to late fall. In all a total of 100-180 new jobs are anticipated.
FINANCING REMAINS OBSTACLE
People often ask us what is taking these prospects so long to make up their minds. The answer is simple- financing. But therein lies
numerous complications within the answer. On the retail side most big franchises and so-called “big-box” retailers like Publix , Burger
King or Chick-Fil-A have limited capitol. Therefore their decisions about where and when to locate new stores are dependent upon a
myriad of factors . The biggest of these are land costs, market demographics (see sidebar)and local incentives.( see related article” Cities
Under pressure to get Creative).
Combined with anti-business legislation, employer mandates and regulation coming out of Washington D.C these days, it makes for a
difficult climate for investment for expansions. The banking industry in particular has been absolutely hog-tied by the current
administration and Congress which has resulted in very little capitol available for business.
Hotel Dilemma
Hotel financing in particular has been difficult unless a local group of investors has the cash to put out for as much as 65% of the total
project costs. Making the proposition even more difficult for Wetumpka, Millbrook and Tallassee to land a hotel is what hotel consultants
consider an “overbuilt” market in Montgomery. That’s because most hoteliers operate from a 15 mile feasibility radius which will include
Wetumpka, Prattville and Millbrook in almost any radius. Because of the recent hotel explosions in Montgomery, overall occupancy rates
for Montgomery have dropped to an abysmal 52%. (as of May 2010) This hurts the “feasibility” rating of other hotel investors looking to
come to Elmore County, particularly Wetumpka and Millbrook.
The game-changer for Wetumpka (and spillover effects over to Millbrook and Tallassee) would be the construction and opening of the
Poarch Creek Indian Tribe’s casino. This proximity would indeed increase the feasibility and profitability of an “off-site” hotel(s). (not the
hotel the Tribe would build on their property) Even then, cities may have to provide incentives and infrastructure assistance in “closing the
deal”. Millbrook is aided by its proximity to I-65 in its hotel feasibility and already has 3 hotels in its city limits.
It is indeed important to note that Montgomery’s ability to host the BASS Elite Series and other fishing tournaments is because it has
the hotels to do this. Ironic considering the tournaments for the most part do their fishing on Elmore County waters- the Coosa,
Tallapoosa, and Alabama River and Lake Jordan. Without a hotel and a riverfront master plan with new docking facilities, Wetumpka will
have to be content to just look on—a frustrating predicament.
Cities & ECEDA React
Recognizing this fact, the leaders of the City of Wetumpka have recently embarked on a grant application with ECEDA’s and CARPDC’s
assistance to form a riverfront master plan and develop incentives. The development of this master plan coupled with the city’s new ball
fields and future development of the Alabama Impact Crater center should significantly positively impact its hotel feasibilities , accented
by the Tribe’s expected development of its casino/hotel next year in the first quarter.

2. Millbrook has properly positioned itself with “Crappie Masters Tournament “ and with its hotels and hotels in nearby Prattville, is able to
“lay claim” to be the host site. In 2011 Millbrook will host the National Championship tournament, with an estimated local impact of just
over $2million.The Alabama Wildlife Federation’s headquarters location at Lanark in Millbrook also adds events to Millbrook’s portfolio.
In an effort to further diversify and strengthen Millbrook’s economy , ECEDA is working with the City of Millbrook to develop land for its
tech park to attract high-tech companies and lite manufacturers. This will require an investment of some infrastructure, but is needed to
attract spinoff companies from the recent Montgomery industry announcements.
ECEDA is also supporting Tallassee’s recent efforts to revitalize its downtown/riverfront. The vision expressed by developer Tom Bolton
and city leaders is the proper direction for Tallassee. With anchor industries like GKN , Neptune , Hanil and AES , the successful
development of that plan will help attract the workers of these industries to live in Tallassee.
A recent survey of the employees of Tallassee’s largest industries illustrated that less than half of the employees even lived in Tallassee
or Elmore County. Until Tallassee is able to “capture” housing and provide the amenities families are desiring, they will not be able to
properly get the full economic benefit of future job announcements – whether expansions or new industry. Recognition of that fact is why
the city leaders have embarked already on their plan. New recreation amenities for youth and families will help attract residential
development to the Tallassee area.
ECEDA was instrumental in Tallassee’s recent award of a $250,000 grant from Governor Riley to help with its power generator and water
infrastructure. ECEDA is working to get remaining industrial sites designated as state “Advantage sites”. (see separate article)
ECEDA is also working on projects in Deatsville, Elmore , Coosada and Eclectic.
CONCLUSION
The staff of ECEDA is doing all it can to market and position and sell opportunities for Elmore County. This has meant traveling to meet
with “big-box” executives, franchise owners, site locators and consultants. We have been more strategic and thrifty with our Retail and
Industrial conferences, making sure we set up appointments with the decision-makers we wanted to sell.
This has also meant developing an aggressive media strategy and public relations strategy.
We meet constantly with ADO project managers and national industrial site consultants. We are meeting with Montgomery and
Birmingham area developers and recently some Atlanta developers. We are attempting to “educate” them and the media about the
assets of Elmore County market. We meet constantly with LOCAL developers and land owners.
We are working with existing industries, retailers and tourism venues to help them retain their current jobs and help them to expand. We
are working with Municipalities and our county government to help them be more competitive in attracting business, jobs and residential
development.
Every factor that is within our control we are doing to bring JOBS to Elmore County.
ECEDA Working on Alabama Impact Crater Center as major Tourism Hub for Elmore County
ECEDA continues to usher the Wetumpka Crater project along. In 2008 ECEDA and the Crater Commission completed a site masterplan.
The goal is for the center to become a statewide and regional destination point to see not only the crater phenomenon , but to also use it
as an Elmore County visitor’s center to then redirect tourists to see other Elmore County towns and venues.
In January ECEDA met with Auburn Montgomery officials to get them to partner in the project. Subsequently ECEDA had numerous
meetings with AUM’s Center For Business to complete a proposal for the City of Wetumpka to hire AUM to complete steps necessary for
various grant funding applications for the project. The City signed the contract with AUM on March 15.
ECEDA also initiated a meeting and proposal with Dr. Dan Bennett, Dean of the Auburn School of Architecture. The goal of the meeting
was to see if the AU school of architecture would be interested in working with us to hold a design competition among its students for
the crater center. Dean Bennett notified ECEDA in June that the faculty and staff had embraced and accepted the proposal with
enthusiasm. The competition will take place among the spring semester 2011 third-year studio students, approximately 45 in all. ECEDA

3. will work with the Crater Commission, City of Wetumpka , Elmore County Commission , Alabama Department of Tourism , AUM , Dr.
David King and others to organize and publicize the competition.
Preliminary Census indicates Elmore County is River Region’s Fastest-growing Market
-Number 2 Market overall (second only to Montgomery)
It is mind-boggling to consider that Montgomery print and electronic media executives, and many business executives continue to ignore
the obvious- the ever burgeoning market of Elmore County.
According to preliminary census figures, Elmore County continues to outpace other counties in the River Region in growth.
GROWTH RATE SINCE 2000 CENSUS ( 2000 – 2009)
Millbrook 51.8 %
Wetumpka 34.4
Coosada 19.3
Eclectic 12.5
Elmore 14.2
Deatsville 14.2
Tallassee 6.4
Elmore County 20.3 (ranks Elmore County as 4th
fastest growing county since 2000 Census)
Elmore County also ranks first in the regions “ Per Capita Income”
County Per Capita Income Population (2010 Census est.)
Elmore $51,373 80,188
Autauga $51,043 51,318
Montgomery $42,554 226,896
New Logo and Ad Campaign Reaping Rewards for Elmore County
Elmore County’s contributions to the River Region, its position and image have been largely ignored and under-appreciated by
Montgomery media and many of the so-called decision-makers in Montgomery and other parts of the River Region. That’s why ECEDA
embarked on it’s first-ever media and marketing campaign in January. The new ads focus upon Elmore County’s rich quality of life issues,
particularly education and water recreation. The new logo represents Elmore County’s abundant water resources and the tagline ”The
River Region’s Wave of the Future’’, makes a statement about who we are and where we are headed.
Lifelong Elmore County businessman and retired banker Bobby Barrett said the ads have brought awareness to outside investors . “I have
talked to many of my friends in other parts of the region and their perceptions of Elmore County have been positively affected by the ads.
I know they see us in a more-favorable light now. More importantly, they see us as a place they want to locate a business or raise a family
in. And that’s what we want.’’

4. ECEDA Board member Carol Thompson of Millbrook says the ads have also instilled a sense of pride. “I think a residual effect of the ads
have been to make our residents proud of whom we are and to push them to step up to the plate to make Elmore County even better.
More folks are beginning to understand that the eyes of potential families and business owners are watching us.’’
Tallassee restaurant owner Johnny Graham, Johnny- Gs Bar B Q, says folks that come into his business are proud of the ads and even
prouder to put one of the new logo magnets or stickers on their car or truck. “We can’t keep these (magnets & stickers) in here.
Everybody wants one and proudly displays it on their car. You are beginning to see them everywhere. I like it.’’
ECEDA will continue to produce new ads and market the county this next year. The fall ads will focus upon Elmore County’s
contributions to the economic well-being of the River Region and will feature more testimonials from business owners & families and will
continue to highlight education achievement in area schools. The goal of the ads is to get people to locate their business-or add a
business location in Elmore County, or to move their family to Elmore County.
ECEDA is selling t-shirts with the new logo for $8 and are available while supplies last.
ECEDA Ads Market & Promote Elmore County Events, Venues
Within the overall campaign ECEDA is conducting are ads – both print and TV/Radio , which promote upcoming major events that are
going on.These are for major events only such as Christmas on the Coosa , Coosa River Challenge , Millbrook’s Summerfest, Tallassee
Street Dance , Alabama Cotton Festival ( Eclectic), Wetumpka’s Riverfest , Frontier days at Ft. Toulouse , Alabama Tractor Show
(Elmore)Crappie Masters , AquaPalooza on Lake Martin ,etc. ECEDA also assists local event planners with organizing and developing a
budget and plan for their events as requested by the municipality or the county. The goal is to get folks to come to Elmore County and
drop a few tourism dollars.
Internally ECEDA has developed a database of county leaders , elected officials , businesses and key contacts. ECEDA developed an
email newsletter we send as need to let them know about upcoming events and such. While we don’t put everything on there sent to us ,
we try to put things on there for the betterment of Elmore County to inform folks of things going on. We have also developed a
FACEBOOK page for regular communication and feedback.
ECEDA will overhaul its two web sites www.elmoreeda.com and www.visitelmoreco.com this fall. The goal will be to increase relevance,
user ability, and to have the sites act as a third party resource for information we would otherwise have to use staff time gathering. We
will also have better maintenance of the sites and a fresher and ever-changing look to keep up interest and viability.
ECEDA to launch Elmore County Real Estate index
To help further illustrate the impact of Elmore County real estate sales on the greater Montgomery real estate market, ECEDA is
developing an ‘ Elmore County Real Estate Index” which will give monthly closings and sales in Elmore County and establish a market
index for comparison. Many folks don’t realize that when monthly Montgomery real estate sales figures are released, within those totals
are the sales from Elmore and Autauga counties. In past releases a closer look shows that Elmore County closings make up a lot of those
figures, and in many months the “per closing” avg. sales price is higher in Elmore County. For instance , the recent much ballyhooed (by
Montgomery media) Montgomery residential construction figures for the month of April “for the Montgomery market” were the
“strongest they had been in two years ‘’according to the press release and media outlets. A closer look by ECEDA discovered that the
reports failed to mention that 31% of those “Montgomery sales”, were actually homes in Elmore County ! Hmmmmmm…….Stay tuned.

5. ECEDA Unity Lunches and Events Bringing County Together
One of the main goals of the ECEDA 2005 “ Door To Tomorrow “ campaign was to unify Elmore County business civic and community
leaders. To better accomplish this on a regular schedule, ECEDA embarked in January of this year to establish its “Quarterly Unity
Meetings”. The meetings goal is to get business and elected officials and community leaders talking, networking and building
relationships. Feedback has been very positive from these meetings and ECEDA will continue to improve them and provide more dynamic
and fun speakers and topics. ECEDA would desire to move the events more around the county , but there aren’t many suitable facilities
which can accommodate 150 -200 people at a seated event.
ECEDA’s 2010 “ Quarterly Unity “ Series
January 4 Kick-Off Breakfast Wetumpka Civic Center
April 21 Luncheon , Gov. Bob Riley & Legislators Wetumpka Civic Center
June 17 Lake Martin Social Sinclairs/Kowaliga
Sidebar Box under SAVE THE DATE: -Fall Unity Luncheon Planned for September 15th
, 11:30 Wetumpka Civic Center
-Featuring SEC Chief of Officials Dick Burleson, Former NFL referee
ECEDA working to make Tallassee Industrial site “Advantage Site “
The ECEDA staff has been working with the Tallassee Industrial Development Board and the Economic Development Partnership of
Alabama (EDPA) to designate the Tallassee Corporate Park as an Advantage Site for the state of Alabama.
The AdvantageSite Program is a voluntary program that allows communities to demonstrate that due diligence has been done on the
designated site. Simply stated, the program confirms that documentation critical to the site selection process is ready for prospective
industry. However, this does not imply that other properties in the state do not meet the same criteria – designated sites have simply
undergone a vetting process to show that important information is readily available.
The Alabama Development Office (ADO) being the state’s largest industry recruiter recognizes this program as a significant tool for their
recruitment efforts. Advantage sites usually get the first looks from ADO .The ECEDA staff hopes to have all information required
completed by Fall 2010 for Advantage Site designation for Tallassee. The process will also prove to be beneficial for Wetumpka,
Millbrook and any other municipality pursuing a business/industry park. Check out www.edpa.org
ECEDA Develops and Hosts first-ever Statewide “ Alabama Festival & Events Development Conference” Over 200
festival and event organizers from around Alabama descended on the Wetumpka Civic Center on June 11th
to attend a conference
designed by ECEDA to promote better festivals and events. The conference was sponsored by the Alabama Department of Tourism ,
PowerSouth, Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and Auburn Montgomery. The host sponsors were the four River Region
Chambers – Wetumpka, Montgomery, Prattville and Tallassee. Presenters and speakers included State Tourism Director Lee Sentell, Don
McPhereson from the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Marianne McCloud of Montgomery’s Jubilee Cityfest. Vickie Morese-
Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival and Helen Childers from the Alabama Festival of Flowers.
While the obvious thrust from ECEDA for this festival was to meet a demand for information, the secondary purpose was to demonstrate
that sites in Elmore County are viable for statewide conferences.
Other Conference ideas ECEDA is exploring include:

6. Education and Technology Initiatives
Tax and Compliance issues for Small Business & Industry
Healthcare Infrastructure Issues and Service
Cities Under Pressure to get Creative in Helping Retail Projects Happen
After a difficult turn in the nation’s economy, many economic development organizations who at one time only engaged in industrial
recruitment are finding themselves assisting more with retail projects. Just this year, the EDAA (Economic Development Association of
Alabama, which is made up of all of Alabama’s economic developers), established its “Retail Committee”. In the hey days of the big
industry boom in Alabama, this would have been frowned upon.
It should be noted that ECEDA’s mission statement from the outset has been a “four-legged stool” – INDUSTRY, RETAIL, TOURISM and
QUALITY of LIFE (housing , schools , healthcare). These four elements were also the key elements of the “ Door –To –Tomorrow “
campaign agreed upon in the fall of 2005 by investors like you.
Economic developers are helping communities to become more creative with incentives in order to be more competitive. It goes without
saying that our communities must “think outside the box” in order to be successful in their efforts.
The days of “we don’t offer incentives for retail because they will come anyway” are definitely over. The truth is they will not come
because just as in industry they are looking for a place to do business at a lower cost. And unlike industry, the general public can see the
immediate tax revenue numbers by the retail establishments. Communities across the state are offering tax rebates, infrastructure
needs, and even free land. While these options may seem a little extreme, the communities simply make the deal so that the community
is reimbursed over a period of time determined by an agreement between the developer and the local officials. Community officials see
this as a win-win considering the alternative of they will not plan to come at all.
Many communities have a “blanket” incentive program that may or may not meet the needs of the company and essentially the
community itself. ECEDA strives to continually look for new ways to land projects for our local communities. The incentive must first be
beneficial for our communities and show that we are “in it to win it”!
Alabama DOT a Big problem for Elmore County
We have continued with great frustration to get the Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT)to work with us and local businesses
and developers. Unfortunately DOT is an entity with no accountability regardless of the administration. Without engagement and
pressure from the ENTIRE 6 member Elmore County legislative delegation, DOT will continue to remain an obstacle to Elmore County’s
future. Both the district offices and the central offices in Montgomery continue to move at a snail’s pace (if at all )on local infrastructure
issues such as the Highway 143/14 intersection( traffic count at 18,000 per day) , additional lanes for US 231( traffic Count at 44,000 per
day) at the river bridge out of Montgomery, and the new bridge feasibility study for Tallassee. All of these by the way ECEDA has
officially requested that DOT get moving on.
Additionally we continue to get complaints from developers whom DOT requires to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for entrance
ways, lights, and even digital cameras. While developers and property owners know they have to pay for their respective turn lanes , etc. ,
it has become a pattern and practice of the DOT to wait until a developer comes along and make him pay for ALL the PUBLIC
improvements needed at an intersection , not just those related to his development. Thus an unnecessary factor impeding and stifling
development.
ECEDA to Develop Business and Industry Survey This fall quarter ECEDA will send out an in-depth survey of local business and industry
owners and operators to determine their obstacles and opportunities and to provide feedback on key issues affecting the business climate
in Elmore County

7. ECEDA and Elmore County Commission Help Land Hyundai Heavy to Area On July 12th
, The City of Montgomery announced that
Hyundai heavy will build a $90 million plant to manufacture industrial transformers in Montgomery. The plant will initially employ 480
and steadily expand. Elmore County, Prattville and Greenville each contributed $250,000 towards the site development incentive package
when it became evident that Savannah, Georgia was ahead. This regional effort clinched the deal and is the FIRST time other communities
in the River Region assisted in such a manner.
In return ECEDA asked for first shot at supplier plants when they visit and that job fairs be conducted in Millbrook and Wetumpka
preceding the plant’s opening – which is expected in January of 2012.Hyundai heavy executives have invited ECEDA to their Korean
headquarters this spring to meet with prospective suppliers.
ECEDA Nominated by Southern Economic Development Council for Two Awards ECEDA was nominated by its peers for two of the 10
coveted awards . ECEDA was nominated and named a finalist for “ Best New Logo and Branding Campaign” for an economic
development authority.ECEDA was also nominated and named a finalist for “ Best Recruitment Advertising Campaign” for its new TV
commercials and newspaper /print ads selling Elmore County. The awards will be made on August 15-17 at the SEDC Convention in New
Orleans.
ECEDA to Establish “Military Affairs Executive Committee” In an effort to properly recruit and network with military personnel ECEDA
will form a Blue Ribbon Working Committee to achieve this. The need has been discussed for a long time, however recent projects and
events have demonstrated this vehicle needs to be in place now. If you know of people with assets and connections to bring to the table,
along with the energy and passion to sell Elmore County , please contact Barry Mask.
Separate page with picture collage:
ECEDA Travels to Farmsborough Air Show to meet with Expanding Aerospace Companies This year ECEDA limited its international
travel to the one show which had the best promise and bang for the buck for possibilities. Because of Alabama’s increasing growth in the
aerospace sector and because of GKN’s keen respect and strength in the sector, this show was targeted . GKN CEO Paul Cocker and Greg
Ferrell worked with ECEDA to pre-arrange strategic appointments with their aerospace partners who are considering U.S. expansion. This
was a tremendous advantage for ECEDA. In order to take advantage of this opportunity it is imperative that the Wetumpka site and
Millbrook sites are ready by late spring of 2011. Presently only Tallassee’s industrial park is “shovel-ready.”
ECEDA Staff Contact Information:
Barry Mask, CAE Executive Director
Leisa Finley, Senior Project Manager
Lindsay Jordan, Project Manager
Rett Hawk , Events and Marketing Coordinator