EDC Hosts the Dale County Mayors Association Luncheon

The Ozark Dale County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has formed a new partnership with the Dale County Mayors Association. The EDC will help run its quarterly meetings, allowing the 10 local mayors to share information, brainstorm solutions to problems, and discover opportunities for growth.

“We have a fantastic relationship with our local mayors,” says Holle Smith, President of the EDC. “There are a few new mayors from our latest elections whom I had not yet had the opportunity to meet with, and this was a great opportunity for us to connect.”

These gatherings will be held at various locations across Dale County to showcase the communities governed by local mayors. This also allows the mayors to support different local businesses each time as they meet over lunch. 

Smith Highlighted Economic Development in the County

The first quarterly luncheon was held at the Ozark Airport, which is also home to the EDC offices. Nine mayors attended the meeting and listened to a presentation by Smith on economic development at the county level.

“I assured them we work for the whole county, and if they have any needs, we’re here to help,” says Smith. “We are more of a resource sharer and opportunity creator than a decision-maker in the community.”

For example, the EDC can sit in on industry meetings with mayors and highlight potential opportunities, grants, and programs that might be valuable. The EDC can also promote available sites for future development and identify potential incentives for projects.

“A lot of the communities in Dale County are rural, with land that could be available for development,” says Smith. “We want to help our mayors find potential investors and companies eager to operate here.”

After her presentation, Jeff Hodges, CEO of Pea River Electric Cooperative, spoke about the demand for power among potential investors and how to work closely with local utilities to ensure companies moving to the area get the electricity they need. 

Opportunities in One Community Benefit the Rest

Smith emphasizes that the EDC supports the entire county and that investment in specific communities benefits the whole region. When a new business opens its doors in Ozark, for example, it creates job opportunities for potential applicants in all 10 communities. The tax revenue collected by the county benefits everyone, not just those in specific city limits.

There’s also a snowball effect in economic development, where industry clusters form in high-demand areas. If a new defense company chooses Dale County for its proximity to Fort Rucker, similar companies might open nearby, forming a business hub.  

“If something new happens in our county, it’s going to be good for all,” says Smith. “Even if a new development or business opens in the next county over, it will be good for all.” 

The Luncheons Are Closed to the Mayors

While all the Dale County mayors have open-office policies and often try to connect with residents and business owners regularly, these quarterly luncheons are invite-only. The goal is to create a space where mayors can learn from guest speakers and leverage tools and resources at the county, state, and federal levels. This can bring new opportunities and amenities to Dale County.

Smith says that before the luncheon began, the mayors were already discussing problems they were all facing in their areas, while trying to decide which solutions were best to move forward with. These are the types of conversations the luncheon strives to facilitate.

The EDC brought in catering from Jameson’s for this luncheon so the mayors could enjoy a delicious meal from a local Ozark restaurant.  

Follow the EDC for County-Level Updates

There’s a lot happening in Dale County, with businesses hitting major milestones and exciting programs to support workforce development. Follow the EDC for news about potential opportunities for your organization and ways to get involved in the community. You can shape the future of Dale County and support your friends and neighbors.

Reach out to discuss your business plans and any potential pain points we can solve. Our team will do our best to share potential resources that can help you.