Kronospan, a new industry for Calhoun County, is a prime example of the premise that what’s good for one community can be good for the region.As Talladega County Economic Development Director Calvin Miller points out, Calhoun County’s landing of a major industry could mean a gain in jobs for neighboring Talladega County.
With 700 jobs to be filled, the proximity of Talladega County constitutes being in the right place at the right time. And that should bode well for unemployment rosters that are already hovering at an impressive low.
Miller said Talladega County’s own recruitment efforts in the Kronospan case were unsuccessful, but officials then got behind the Eastaboga momentum. And when the efforts there were successful, officials back in Talladega County knew they, too, could reap benefits.
It is smart business to think regionally when it comes to industrial recruitment. “…when we (Talladega County) didn’t win (Kronospan),” Miller explained, “we threw our support behind the Calhoun County location to get some benefit from it. So the direct tax benefit does go to Calhoun County, but Talladega benefits through new job opportunities.”
Similar scenarios have played out across the area, boosting all kinds of economic opportunities for those outside the shadow of a new industry.
The evident example would be Honda, whose economic impact spans far outside the city limits of its hometown of Lincoln.
The entire area should be rejoicing in the success stories that surround it. After all, good economic news has a way of spreading.
