Commission observes Shoals developments

FLORENCE - A group of representatives with the Appalachian Regional Commission say it would like to use the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center as a model for other states.

After touring various landmarks across the Shoals, including the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and North American Lighting, the group stopped in at the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center in Florence to observe the center's progress.

ARC Federal Co-chairwoman Anne Pope said the area's growth in economic development has been diverse through the addition of industries to the area, as well as initiations of small business locally.

She said the entrepreneurial center is a site that has been a part of that growth.

"The center is really a star in ARC's crown," Pope said.

"This is a model that we would like to use in other states."

The ARC, which is a federal/state partnership that works in the Appalachian region to create economic development opportunities, is composed of 13 member states. All states are were represented at the annual meeting, which took place this year in Florence, Pope said.

Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Executive Director Giles McDaniel said he was honored to have the ARC visit the center.

"We were one of the focuses of why they're meeting here, to see what we've done with economic development initiatives," McDaniel said.

He said the ARC has key decision makers that have helped fulfill requests for grants toward economic development and helping businesses thrive in the Shoals.

"They shape where the dollars will go for the future concerning economic development," he said.

Pope said the incubator client's success at the center has created several self-sustaining businesses and thousands of jobs.

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala., reiterated the importance of supporting small business entrepreneurs.

"In North Alabama, small businesses are the backbone of our community and we have made every effort to support an individual's quest to set up their own company," Cramer said.

"ARC's summer meetings in the Shoals are an opportunity for us to showcase our entrepreneurial centers and business incubators that have given people an opportunity to turn their dreams into reality."

Pope said she believes the area is doing well in attracting private investment entities, such as the Japan-based Koito company, North American Lighting, to the Shoals.

"It is an indicator that there is growth in this area," she said. "North Alabama is on the move, and ARC is proud to be a part of it."

Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.