Chambers County Rural EC
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State: Alabama
Counties (Census Tracts): Chambers (9537, 9540, 9541)
Population: 8,320
Area Size: 342 square miles
Number of Census Tracts: 29.2 %
Poverty Rate: 9.4%
Education: More than 45% of residents over the age of 25 lack a high school diploma
Overview
The Chambers County Enterprise Community is located within one county in the east central area of Alabama on the state border. The nominated area includes two municipalities, Lafayette and Waverly. The local economy has historically relied on the textile industry which has faced increasing competition from overseas markets.
Chambers County consistently ranks high among Alabama counties in terms of the incidence of low birth rates, child death rates, births to unmarried teens, children in single parent homes, children in poverty, food stamp recipients, and juvenile violent crime. Most residents in the nominated area are not served by public water or sewer.
The Chambers County strategic plan reflects the ideas and concerns of the Enterprise Community Committee, formed to draft recommendations for the plan and to provide a venue for community input into the process. The Committee was made up of local government representatives, local agencies and local citizens. This committee identified assets and barriers that impact economic opportunity and development and developed a strategic plan. Goals and strategies were developed for the following: education and health; economic development and infrastructure; housing, recreation and human resources.
Key Activities
Economic Opportunity:
A Small Business Incubator facility will be set up and operated through a partnership with East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Chambers County Industrial Development Board, and the Chambers County Commission.
The community will implement a number of strategies for the retention of existing businesses and recruitment of new industries. With the partnership of Auburn University will provide small business counseling to area residents.
Sustainable Community Development :
Through partnerships with the Chamber County Board of Education and the Russell Corporation, three satellite centers offering basic skills, vocational skills, computer skills and other occupational development options will be located in three remote areas.
An extended day care facility for children will be set up at the primary school to provide remediation, enrichment and on-grade instruction in a safe, learning environment.
Major Public Sector Commitments
Local Government Resources:
The regional planning and development commission commits to providing assistance in developing a rural public transportation program and in establishing a small business incubator. The county Board of Education commits to fully implement the educational strategies and staff the efforts.
State Government Resources:
The state commits to assign a staff member out of the Development Office to any designated Enterprise Community in the state of Alabama. The state will modify the 1995 CDBG funds to award priority points for projects located within an Enterprise Community. The state will provide priority for funding from within the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. The Community Service Division will target $10,000 to $50,000 of Low Income Energy Assistance Program funds to qualifying Enterprise Communities. Numerous other state agencies commit to provide technical and financial assistance.
Federal Government Resources:
Beyond the EZ/EC program, the Department of Agriculture and the Corporation for National Service will place an AmeriCorp volunteer to assist with economic development.
Major Private Sector Commitments
Russell Corporation:
Commits to providing a computer-based employee education program.
Alabama Power:
Commits to providing technical assistance for improvement of industrial parks, revitalization of central business districts and continued strategic planning. Additionally, interest free loans, that range from $300-400,000, are offered for promotional industrial buildings to attract jobs to the area.
Alabama Power Foundation:
Commits to providing special funding consideration to designated Enterprise Communities for projects in health and human services, education, arts and culture, civic and community, and environmental projects.
Contact:
Name: Dawn Landholm Address: 1130 Quintard Ave., Ste. 300 Anniston, AL 36202 Phone: 256-237-6741 Fax: 256-237-6763 Email: dlandholm@adss.state.al.us
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