For the official unveiling of OneEast, a nine-county economic development alliance that encompasses Talladega, St. Clair, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Randolph, and Tallapoosa counties, over 200 individuals representing every level of government, business, education, and nonprofit organizations convened at the Talladega Superspeedway on Thursday evening.
The alliance’s objective is to “improve the region as a whole utilizing a coordinated strategy that includes economic development, education, workforce development, and tourism,” as stated in the announcement of the event for Thursday.
The objective is to achieve these objectives by “attracting investment and generating high-quality employment opportunities through a coordinated strategy” that encompasses all of the aforementioned. “OneEast, by leveraging the region’s strengths, seeks to improve the overall quality of life and prosperity for all communities involved.”OneEast’s funding is provided by its members and public and private sector investors. Terry Smiley, the chairperson of the OneEast Alabama board of directors, is a Talladega native and Vice President of the Eastern Division of Alabama Power.
Smiley stated on Thursday that the organization “embodies a cohesive economic development strategy that will establish East Alabama as a premier business and industrial destination.” “By uniting in a unified manner to address industrial recruitment and retention, education and workforce development, and tourism, we will facilitate the future prosperity of the communities throughout the region.”
Smiley was joined by Brian Crichton, President of Talladega Superspeedway, Dr. Don Killingsworth, President of Jacksonville State University, Chad Jones, President and CEO of First Bank of Alabama, Greg Baker, President of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Lee Sentell, Director of the Alabama Department of Tourism, and Phil Webb, owner of Webb Concrete and Building Materials. Smiley serves on the board alongside Webb and Baker.
Representatives of Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, as well as Congressman Mike Rogers, also extended their congratulations. Governor Kay Ivey also issued a video message of congratulations.
After the implementation, Rep. Steve Hurst stated, “This is a remarkable opportunity for Talladega and the surrounding counties to collaborate to achieve our goals.” I am extremely pleased of Terry Smiley and all of the players who contributed to the successful completion of this project. We must collaborate to achieve positive outcomes rather than engage in conflict, particularly as we progress toward industrial development.
Stan Batemon, the chairman of the St. Clair County Commission, was also astonished. “The collaboration we achieved on the I-20 corridor was truly remarkable, and we are now able to further develop it.” This is the type of growth that we require for an extended time.
Commissioner Darrell Ingram of Talladega County added that he was “ecstatic.”
Ingram expressed his gratitude, stating, “It was a privilege and an honor to be invited to participate in an event of this nature.” To expand, we must have the appropriate individuals and locations in place. I believe that we have achieved this.
