Leaders talk about the way forward for know-how, innovation in north Alabama

Greater schooling consultants, entrepreneurs, rural neighborhood leaders and lawmakers got here collectively in Athens, Alabama, this week to be taught extra about financial alternatives and cultivating an revolutionary, expert workforce in north Alabama.

The regional roundtable came about Thursday and was co-hosted by Innovate Alabama and Launch 2035, a regional financial partnership comprising 9 north Alabama counties. The target: to encourage collaboration amongst leaders throughout the general public, non-public and schooling sectors who’re going through shared challenges, similar to retaining expertise to assist workforce wants and driving extra capital sources to rural entrepreneurs.

“By this roundtable, Innovate Alabama’s aim is to attach native and state policymakers with main entrepreneurs and better schooling people throughout north Alabama to study among the obstacles these leaders are going through as they work to maneuver this area ahead,” mentioned state Rep. Anthony Daniels, an Innovate Alabama board member. “I’m grateful to serve the north Alabama neighborhood and to work with regional companions, like Launch 2035 and Alabama A&M, who’re on the forefront of rising an inclusive, affluent financial system in north Alabama.”

Based in 2014, Launch 2035 first got down to strengthen ties amongst Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties and drive regional financial development over the following 20 years. The group has since expanded to incorporate Colbert, Dekalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence and Marshall counties.

One in all Launch 2035’s principal initiatives highlighted on the roundtable is the Singing River Path, a proposed, 200-mile greenway system. Proponents say the greenway would strengthen the bonds amongst 16 north Alabama cities and create well being and wellness, academic, financial, tourism and entrepreneurial alternatives for the communities.

“The alternatives are limitless after we deliver collectively individuals from totally different corners of Alabama to develop revolutionary alternatives that improve the financial panorama of our area,” mentioned Rob Hamilton, Launch 2035 chair. “The Singing River Path is a chief instance of this. By working with leaders in each the private and non-private sectors throughout a number of counties, we developed a product that will leverage our area’s outside recreation belongings to extend our state’s financial footprint. We’re enthusiastic about at present’s dialog and people to comply with. That is the start of a protracted partnership between our state and regional leaders as we proceed tapping into north Alabama’s unbelievable potential.”

With a number of faculties and universities spanning north Alabama, dialogue additionally centered on post-graduate recruitment and retention challenges.

“For these of us engaged in greater schooling, now we have seen that many Alabama college students search alternatives outdoors the state after commencement, with all the information and expertise that they gained whereas in school right here,” mentioned Andrew Greenback, director of the LaunchBox innovation hub in Athens, which hosted the roundtable. LaunchBox is owned and operated by Athens State College.

“We’re grateful to attach with leaders within the enterprise and authorities sectors who can function sources to our college students and assist us create extra homebase alternatives for them,” Greenback mentioned.

Innovate Alabama plans to carry further roundtables throughout the state to encourage additional collaboration amongst leaders whereas accumulating insights in regards to the challenges and alternatives in every area of the state. The following roundtable is scheduled for Oct. 20 at Stillman School in Tuscaloosa.

Innovate Alabama is a statewide public-private partnership centered on entrepreneurship, know-how and innovation with a mission to implement the initiatives and suggestions set forth within the report put out by the Alabama Innovation Fee. The aim: to advance insurance policies that can create a extra resilient, aggressive, inclusive and strong Alabama financial system for a twenty first century world. With a board of administrators made up of 11 ex-officio and at-large innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey, Innovate Alabama works to collaborate throughout sectors to assist industries, drive know-how and facilitate an atmosphere the place innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Zeke Smith, government vice chairman of Alabama Energy, was president of the Innovation Fee’s advisory council.

Study extra about Innovate Alabama right here. To learn the Innovation Fee report, click on right here.