Group to host meeting in Shoals

The Appalachian Regional Commission is coming to town to see what all the buzz is about in the Shoals these days.

The commission will conduct its annual summer meting here Wednesday and Thursday.

"The Shoals community is an example of an area that has benefited from ARC's support to establish new businesses, educate its workforce and preserve its natural resources," said U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala.

The commission is comprised of 13 states along the Appalachian Mountain region. It is dedicated to creating opportunities for self-sustaining economic development, according to a release from the commission.

Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Director Debbie Wilson said she is noticing more groups coming to the Shoals. She said that is on the heels of such developments as the four-diamond Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence and two Robert Trent Jones golf courses in Ford City, as well as other developments and plans.

ARC officials plan to visit North American Lighting and the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, as well as various tourist sites in the Shoals.

"Groups like this wouldn't look at us before," Wilson said. "Groups like this are coming because there is such a buzz created by what's been happening in the Shoals."

ARC Federal Co-Chairwoman Anne Pope said projects like the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center are evidence of the success that is possible through partnerships such as the ARC and Shoals community.

"This is an area on the move," Pope said.

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