Montgomery Whitewater takes center stage as new development strategies take shape – Alabama News Center
Montgomery Whitewater takes center stage as new development strategies take shape Alabama NewsCenter
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Alabama Commerce Secretary Visits Montgomery Whitewater to Explore Economic Growth Opportunities
Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair recently joined a team from Innovate Alabama for a tour of Montgomery Whitewater, a world-class recreational facility that is hosting Olympic athletes. This visit comes as Alabama business development leaders are considering new approaches to spark economic growth.
Outdoor Recreation Assets as Catalysts for Economic Development
McNair, who is leading the creation of a new state economic development strategic plan, emphasized the importance of outdoor recreation assets like Montgomery Whitewater in the next-generation economic development strategies being developed by the state. She stated that building out Alabama’s outdoor recreation infrastructure will make the state more attractive for high-skill workers and help foster an ecosystem for entrepreneurship and technological innovation.
Montgomery Whitewater, which opened in July 2023, is located at the Maxwell Capital Gateway to Montgomery along the Interstate 65 corridor. The facility features an Olympic-standard recirculating whitewater course that caters to users of all ages and skill levels.
Talent Attraction and Economic Returns
During the visit, McNair and the Innovate Alabama team had the opportunity to witness athletes training, meet with the center’s leadership, and understand how outdoor recreation can serve as a powerful tool for business recruitment. Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama, highlighted that facilities like Montgomery Whitewater will attract innovative talent and entrepreneurs to Alabama while showcasing the state’s outdoor recreation assets.
A report prepared for Innovate Alabama by the Hoover Institution emphasized that investing in outdoor recreation infrastructure will yield substantial returns for the state. Alabama’s natural assets can be leveraged to expand the outdoor recreation industry, making the state more appealing to high-skill individuals and tourists.
Collaborative Efforts for Economic Development
Crutchfield and Innovate Alabama are working closely with McNair on the new economic development strategic plan, alongside representatives from the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The completed plan is set to be delivered to Governor Kay Ivey on October 1.
McNair expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Innovate Alabama and emphasized their shared belief in outdoor recreation as a catalyst for innovation. She assured the Innovate Alabama team that they would have a strong partner in Commerce.
The Montgomery Whitewater Project and Economic Development
The Montgomery Whitewater project is the result of a partnership between the Montgomery County Commission, the city of Montgomery, and the state. Anna Buckalew, president and CEO of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that this project exemplifies an integrated approach to economic development, with recreation playing a vital role.
Stacey Hepp, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials race director who was involved in the development of Montgomery Whitewater, shared the success story of a similar facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, which has contributed to the city’s economic growth. She expressed her belief that Montgomery Whitewater will have a similar impact on Montgomery’s economic activity.
This article was originally published on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Specific targets under those SDGs identified based on the article’s content:
- Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
- Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
Indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Number of jobs created in the outdoor recreation industry.
- Investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure.
- Number of high-skill individuals attracted to the state.
- Economic growth and activity generated by the recreational facility.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. | – Number of jobs created in the outdoor recreation industry. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | – Investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. | – Economic growth and activity generated by the recreational facility. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | – Number of high-skill individuals attracted to the state. |
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Source: alabamanewscenter.com
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