In the withering economic climate of today, the I-85 Corridor Alliance is working to ensure that the economies of the counties along Interstate 85 remain strong.

The alliance is described as a partnership between government, civic, business and education stakeholders around Alabama’s stretch of Interstate 85. It is a non-profit that helps create and support actions that encourage a positive economic vision for Montgomery, Elmore, Macon, Bullock, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Russell and Lee counties.

“It’s a much more behind the scenes collaboration,” Allyson Martin said. Martin is the economic development specialist for the Economic and Community Development Institute.

The alliance creates a non-competing network for stakeholders to work together to achieve economic goals. It provides a forum for stakeholders to collaborate on creating an overall economic vision. Strategies for workforce development are produced to help both business and the workforce use the unique assets of the region.

Brands can be created that help promote the region to outside interest. This brings more industry and other business to the region. The alliance also promotes development of its individual stakeholders to increase the value of economies along Interstate 85.

Martin said it is like a regional chamber of commerce. It even collaborates with the chambers of commerce along the interstate’s corridor.

The alliance was based on a proposal from 2002 made by Auburn University and the OTF Group of Watertown, Massachusetts. The group sought to find the economic potential of the region.

There are two big projects that are currently being worked on by the alliance.

The alliance has put together a workforce development committee that is compiling a list of agencies and groups in the region that specialize in workforce development. When the list is completed, the alliance will send it to its partners who can disseminate that information in their local communities.

This is an example of the work of the alliance, and its efforts to combat job loss. Providing communities with workforce development gives potential employees wanted skill sets that replace skills that have been sent oversees or are outdated. Those skill sets ensure that business and industry have an appealing and viable workforce in the region.

Soon, the alliance will be looking for ambassadors. The group will be comprised of 18-22 year-olds in the region. The goal is to get them involved in economic community development. Both college and non-college residents will be selected to get a representation of all the different backgrounds.

With the exception of some college students, people in these age ranges usually never leave the area. The program hopes to give these young adults an opportunity to learn about their communities and a little more about issues community leaders are facing.

These programs are led by the alliance and supported by its members. For stakeholders, this is an investment in their future. For community members, it provides education and skills that make them more valuable employees. These are proactive steps that keep the Interstate 85 corridor’s economy strong.

In these uncertain economic times, the alliance is emphasizing the importance of working together to promote economic growth. The alliance stakeholders are giving their own time and resources to help promote economic growth. Stakeholders receive no payment for their work.

“Everyone that does something for this organization is doing it on their on free time,” Martin said.


Find more videos like this on The Loveliest Village