Marshall EDC News

The following is a column by Matt Arnold that ran in local newspapers in March 2019. “Daddy are we there yet?”  is a question that any father has heard and tried to answer many times.  Manufacturing companies hear similar questions from their customers.  Logistics is one of the most important aspects...

The following is a column by Matt Arnold that ran in local Marshall County Newspapers in February 2019. “Where are we going to find our workers?”  is a question being asked of myself and many of my counterparts these days.  In December, Marshall County was tied with three other counties in...

On October 11 th , the board of directors of the Marshall County Economic Development Council and the Marshall CountyManufacturers Association paid tribute to local manufacturing businesses at its 22 nd Annual Industry Appreciation Dinner. The following companies were recognized for making expansion announcements in 2017: Colormasters, Master Extruders, Newman Technology and...

I’ve had people over the years ask me how a rural county in North Alabama like Marshall became so diverse in industry and economic development. The answer to that question is extremely complex. You could point to various things such as poultry farmers banding together, forming cooperatives and building slaughter houses...

The passage of the Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act (HB317) is critical to our local economic development efforts. Unfortunately, this legislation has been incorrectly characterized as an attempt to change the ethics law as it relates to economic development. This is untrue. The bill does clarify the definition of lobbying for economic...

Marshall County was recently featured in January 2018 issue of Site Selection Magazine.  Site Selection is a national publication with a large circulation that targets CEOs and other top management officials at manufacturing and service businesses.   Click hear to read the srticle.

On October 12 th , the board of directors of the Marshall County Economic Development Council and the Marshall County Manufacturers Association paid tribute to local manufacturing businesses at its 21 st Annual Industry Appreciation Dinner. The following companies were recognized for making expansion announcements in 2016: BPI Media Group, Inc.,...

Two reports released early in June reflect the banner year that Marshall County had in 2016 and how that is accounting for the lowest unemployment rate we have seen in almost a decade.  The Alabama Department of Commerce released its annual New and Expanding Report .  This report details the announced...

New addition at TSTECH Alabama, completed in 2016 The New Year is always a time of reflection and planning, a time to look back and a time to look forward.  2016 was a great year in so many respects for Marshall County.  Newman Technology in Albertville announced an expansion.  Umicore in Arab completed a major upgrade to...

On Friday, August 28 th , TSTECH Alabama broke ground on a new building that will attach to its existing facility in Boaz.  Currently, TSTECH employs 650 and manufactures all the seats for the Honda Odyssey that is built in Lincoln, Alabama.  This new expansion will allow TSTECH to manufacture seats...

I write this blog post from my hardened bunker at the Marshall County Economic Development Council also known as the Mattcave!  I am surrounded by six bodyguards. They are all ex-special forces with attitudes, our building has 14” reinforced concrete walls and we have a small armory down the hall.  Why...

The Economic Developer in All of Us! By Matt Arnold I often get told how interesting my job must be and that people are fascinated by what economic developers do.  Most times, the economy notwithstanding, I totally agree.  I am blessed to be in a unique profession for which I have...

Every third Friday of the month, there is a ritual at the MCEDC office.  Check labor.alabama.gov and see what the local and state unemployment rate has done.  The Alabama Department of Labor publishes these numbers for the previous month generally on the third Friday.  The unemployment rate is one of several...

Bassmaster Elite kicked off this morning and it will no doubt prove to be one of the finest and most exciting events of 2015 for Marshall County!  Tourism is a essential part of economic development for any community.  It can be the economic driver for many communities.  That certainly would be...

There has been much discussion in the past few weeks about Alabama's new proposed incentive package.  Earlier this month, Governor Bentley led his State of the State Address by laying out the need for incentive reform.  Essen tially what it boils down to is competitiveness.  Years ago, when Alabama was looking...

What is  #MARSHALLMADE ?   For years we have been telling people what a great place Marshall County, Alabama is to do business.  However, the proof is always in the pudding.  Earlier this year, the MCEDC board approved an idea to move forward with the construction of a gallery at the...

As the 2000s rolled on, the MCEDC kept focused on its mission of recruiting and retaining jobs in Marshall County.  After a comprehensive Capital Fundraising Campaign that wrapped up in 2001, the organization had the private funding to take on a new roll in the community:  Workforce Development.  Workforce Development became...

In 1994 the Marshall County Economic Development Council was organized and incorporated. Later that year, funding was established by legislative act. The board, headed by Mike Alred, began the arduous task of making a viable organization and beginning work.  In 1995, the first staff members were hired and hit the ground...

In the mid-1990s, a group of people began meeting with the goal of forming a countywide economic development organization in Marshall County.  Actually, the story goes back a little further.   Even back in the 1980s, progressive leaders had openly discussed the need for a countywide group.  The first effort in the...

Over the past few months I began reviewing trends in economic development in preparation for the launch of the new website.  One thing I know I noticed was that many Economic Development Agencies, Chambers of Commerce and Tourism Bureaus were incorporating blogs to actively discuss issues and activity.  Years ago, this...