Bronner has been 'glue that brought area together'

Some of David Bronner's closest associates told him back in 2001 that an economic development project he was considering in the Shoals would not work.

He ignored them.

Instead, he formed a partnership with Shoals leaders that brought a tourism project to the area, which involved two Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses and a four-diamond hotel. State tourism officials say the project has been an undeniable success.

At the time, Bronner, chief executive officer of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, said he was going to keep an eye on the Shoals and do his part in positively changing the region's image and the quality of life for generations to come.

He was back in the community Wednesday celebrating another giant step in that direction. National Alabama Corp. officials announced they were building a huge railcar manufacturing plant in Colbert County that will employ at least 1,800 people.

"Now, we've got the rest of the country shaking their heads and wondering what's going on in the Shoals area," Bronner said.

State and local economic development officials say without hesitation that it's highly unlikely-that National Alabama would be coming had it not been for Bronner and his RSA organization.

All Bronner did, outside of insisting that the parent company in Canada take a look at the Shoals in the selection process, was commit up to $350 million to the project. The money will help the company build its massive plant at the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park in Colbert County. It's the largest investment RSA has made at an industrial site.

Some will quickly point out that the transaction amounts to nothing more than a business deal. RSA is charging 8.5 percent interest on the loan. Those who have been involved on the ground floor of Bronner's involvement in the Shoals will tell you it's merely a case of Bronner delivering on his promise to be a partner.

"When he became a partner, he became a loyal partner and a friend to this area," said Dick Jordan, a former Florence mayor. "He said he was going to help us, and he has delivered. He's probably gone overboard on his end of the deal.

"Unfortunately, some still don't understand how good it is to have Dr. Bronner as a friend to our area. He's probably the best economic development person in the Southeast. And that person is a partner who genuinely cares about our area."

Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said the economic development progress seen in the area during the past five years would not have happened without Bronner.

"He was the glue that brought this area together," Bradford said. "Prior to that, we were scattered and didn't look at ourselves as one area or market ourselves as one area. He showed us a vision, one that we all had, and helped give us the tools to reach it.

"Now, people all over the state are starting to sit up and take notice."

Macke Mauldin, board chairman for the Shoals Economic Development Authority, said Bronner "came up here 16 years ago and chewed us out because no one could get alone and no one was working together."

"What has happened over the past few years is a prime example of what working together can accomplish," Mauldin added.

Bronner said that from his view from Montgomery, it appeared there had always been "a lot of back biting" among the communities in the Shoals.

"It's been a really neat experience to see the people up there pull together," he said.

The relationship began shortly after Bronner was asked to come to the Shoals back in late 2001 to see if he saw ways to make the Renaissance Tower a viable resource in the community. He was in the area at the request of friend Richard Todd, the former Alabama and New York Jets quarterback who lives locally.

He agreed to meet with Jordan and Simpson Russell, who was chairman of the agency charged with overseeing operations at the Renaissance Tower, and fellow Florence resident Johnny Dill.

They explained the dire state of the tower and asked for ideas.

Bronner responded with a letter in late December 2001 outlining his vision. The vision was to turn the Shoals into a tourism and convention destination.

His plan, however, included local governments being actively involved with their time and money -- about $16 million to be exact. The plan required local government leaders to work together and solve problems together.

That local delegation included Bradford, Jordan, Sheffield Mayor Ian Sanford, Tuscumbia Mayor Wade Gann, Colbert Commission Chairman Rex Burleson and Lauderdale Commission Chairman Dewey Mitchell.

Perhaps their biggest task was selling the need to create a 2-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax that would pay for the area's financial commitment to the project. The move, as expected, was not popular-politically.

"When we first saw the list of things we needed to do, we looked at each other and said there's no way we can do this," Bradford said. "The more we met, the more we saw it could happen.

"We also found out in a hurry that Dr. Bronner is passionate about any project he does. He's not going to cut corners. He wants things done right.''

Jordan said he doesn't think the area will ever see the end of the Bronner influence.

Bronner said accomplishing big things "you've got to start one foot at a time." He said getting the area to work together on the tourism project provided the foundation.

"My philosophy is that I'm willing to help, but I can always move on to something else if they're not willing to help me make it successful," Bronner said. "If they had reacted differently, I probably would have moved on."

Bronner's commitment to National Alabama Corp. is now well documented, but he said he has plans to continue looking for other opportunities for the Shoals.

"People come to me for the money (to help them build), and that gives me the ability to tell them 'I want you to at least give a look at this area,' " he said.

Bronner said he will continue to closely view the happenings in the Shoals. He doesn't anticipate ending the relationship with the area anytime soon.

"What happens from here really depends on how much the people in the area help (National Alabama) be successful," he said. "If we can help them be successful, we can then move on to more successes."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.