[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by Chrishaune

It's not the the blackbelt doesn't have "decent local government, infrastructure, and educated work force." Those are some hard working people in the blackbelt. I'm from the blackbelt and let me shed some light on the situation.

When you grow up in the Blackbelt, you grow up having to make a choice. Graduate high school and leave the area to further your education or stay in the area to work at a Wal-Mart Supercenter. I chose the former and I am now working on Redstone Arsenal in North Alabama. There is nothing to spur development in the Blackbelt because for so long the Blackbelt depended on agriculture as it's economic source. These days it doesn't take multitudes of people to work on farms so that left people to go and work the service jobs. Most of the Blackbelt is rural, but there are small towns scattered everywhere in it.

The problem is nobody from outside of Alabama and even from the major cities in Alabama knows about the Blackbelt and it's people. People see the it is an impoverished area and automatically think that the people down there are doing something wrong. NO, it's that there are not a lot of resources down there to get things done. If the state was to help out the area by attracting a auto plant to the area that would almost automatically change the economic climate of the area. The state of Alabama wouldn't be pulled down in as many statistics if there were more opportunities in the Blackbelt.

That is why I say the top two choices in Alabama for this plant, if it is put in the state, should be between Dothan and the Blackbelt.

You don't get to choose. Volkswagen does. And they have substantive business factors to consider--the quality of life, the quality of education, the accessibility to healthcare, infrastructure, transportation networks and more.

First, I am not slamming the Black Belt. However, regardless of how hardworking and honest the people of the region may be, there has to be an effective government in place in the area.

That's how smaller cities such as Dothan have prospered and cities such as Selma have withered on the vine. What's more, it's not an overnight process. You have to demand more from local government on a daily basis in terms of vision and service and honesty. A mature, forward-looking government just hasn't existed in the region.

[mimpdaddy]

Huntsville is full of people from the black belt we come up here to get an education or work. A lot of people from the black belt give our talents to cities like Huntsville.I read all the time about top level successful people at engineering companies from the black belt in Huntsville.Our government has the power to get rid of crooked politicians in the black belt, because they do it any where else. Because of the civil rights movement the black belt is this way.They didn't care about us.Cities like Huntsville got lucky (industry wise but not culturally)with NASA, because there is no port here by river or sea, it was in the middle of nowhere.I notice that somebody left out Montgomery, but mention Birmingham, Mobile ,and Huntsville or cities that succeed. Why?Montgomery is doing damn good.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Huntsville is full of people from the black belt we come up here to get an education or work. A lot of people from the black belt give our talents to cities like Huntsville.I read all the time about top level successful people at engineering companies from the black belt in Huntsville.Our government has the power to get rid of crooked politicians in the black belt, because they do it any where else. Because of the civil rights movement the black belt is this way.They didn't care about us.Cities like Huntsville got lucky (industry wise but not culturally)with NASA, because there is no port here by river or sea, it was in the middle of nowhere.I notice that somebody left out Montgomery, but mention Birmingham, Mobile ,and Huntsville or cities that succeed. Why?Montgomery is doing damn good.

I mentioned Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville because they are the biggest three and Huntsville and Mobile have seen the most growth as far as new jobs, there are too many areas doing well to mention every one of them, like Auburn, Dothan, Tuscaloosa all have done really well. I don't think Montgomery is doing as well as the other big 4 though. Yeah with A&M I would imagine there would be a lot of people here from the black belt that is no surprise. Most cities that grew during the second half of the 21st century grew based on what you call luck or other factors not port access. Being near a river or port wasn't a necessity anymore. This whole issue about where the plant should be its a mute point, since when do companies build stuff based on the community of most need?

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Huntsville is full of people from the black belt we come up here to get an education or work. A lot of people from the black belt give our talents to cities like Huntsville.I read all the time about top level successful people at engineering companies from the black belt in Huntsville.Our government has the power to get rid of crooked politicians in the black belt, because they do it any where else. Because of the civil rights movement the black belt is this way.They didn't care about us.Cities like Huntsville got lucky (industry wise but not culturally)with NASA, because there is no port here by river or sea, it was in the middle of nowhere.I notice that somebody left out Montgomery, but mention Birmingham, Mobile ,and Huntsville or cities that succeed. Why?Montgomery is doing damn good.

Montgomery is a company town for the air force base, the state government, and Hyundai. Without the automotive plant, Montgomery would be dead in the water. You cannot say that about Birmingham, Mobile, or Huntsville. All three cities have extremely diverse economies and a very active entrepreneurial culture. Montgomery just doesn't at this point.

[Bette]

As long as they keep the company in the US and not outsource, this is good news for Alabama.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by Huntsville_secede

I mentioned Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville because they are the biggest three and Huntsville and Mobile have seen the most growth as far as new jobs, there are too many areas doing well to mention every one of them, like Auburn, Dothan, Tuscaloosa all have done really well. Yeah with A&M I would imagine there would be a lot of people here from the black belt that is no surprise. Most cities that grew during the second half of the 21st century grew based on what you call luck or other factors. Being near a river or port wasn't a necessity anymore. You have to have a progressive government thats not opposed to change and growth. A lot of people from different places give their talent to Huntsville not just the black belt.

I'm saying to you is let us get lucky too, like Huntsville did. I'm sure Huntsville didn't have a progressive government before it was chosen by NASA(maybe I'm wrong).The government will change with industry, but its up to our state politicians, who get our votes here and make visits to cities like Selma and gees bend, that keep saying we need to help the black belt.These small town politicians have no power over governor's and senators.John McCain 2008 :: It's Time for Action

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I'm saying to you is let us get lucky too, like Huntsville did. I'm sure Huntsville didn't have a progressive government before it was chosen by NASA(maybe I'm wrong).The government will change with industry, but its up to our state politicians, who get our votes here and make visits to cities like Selma and gees bend, that keep saying we need to help the black belt.These small town politicians have no power over governor's and senators.John McCain 2008 :: It's Time for Action

Oh I have no problem if the Blackbelt gets the plant if Volkswagen choses them, I'm sure there will be others opportunities coming to the state too, its enough for everyone to get a share. Its good for the state regardless of its in North Alabama, Black Belt or South Alabama. I just don't think there should be any kind of obligation to make sure its located in a certain part of the state.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Montgomery is a company town for the air force base, the state government, and Hyundai. Without the automotive plant, Montgomery would be dead in the water. You cannot say that about Birmingham, Mobile, or Huntsville. All three cities have extremely diverse economies and a very active entrepreneurial culture. Montgomery just doesn't at this point.

Well I could say "without huntsville engineering force it would be dead in the water".If you come to montgomery and see what it means for this state, its no way you can exclude it from your list. Montgomery is alabama!! I dont see tourist in huntsville dowtown from across the country. People outside this state know Montgomery.And I dont why people from north alabama try to down play it.Montgomery has seen more famous people in a month than Huntsville in 10 years.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Well I could say "without huntsville engineering force it would be dead in the water".If you come to montgomery and see what it means for this state, its no way you can exclude it from your list. Montgomery is alabama!! I dont see tourist in huntsville dowtown from across the country. People outside this state know Montgomery.And I dont why people from north alabama try to down play it.Montgomery has seen more famous people in a month than Huntsville in 10 years.

I'm not trying to dump on Montgomery. In fact, I do a lot of biz there, thanks. I've spent at least one day in Montgomery a week for the past six years.

Montgomery may be better known than Huntsville, but as a business town in this state, Montgomery takes a back seat to the other three large Alabama cities. In fact, the way Auburn/Opelika is growing, it may be passing Montgomery as well in the next ten years.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

Well I could say "without huntsville engineering force it would be dead in the water".If you come to montgomery and see what it means for this state, its no way you can exclude it from your list. Montgomery is alabama!! I dont see tourist in huntsville dowtown from across the country. People outside this state know Montgomery.And I dont why people from north alabama try to down play it.Montgomery has seen more famous people in a month than Huntsville in 10 years.

Nobody is downplaying Montgomery's significance to the state, but If you want to compare Montgomery versus Huntsville, Huntsville is a more attractive city IMO. The list was in reference to the most booming economies in the state and right now the top 3 of the large cities are Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile --Auburn/Opelika in the smaller ones. Both Mobile and Huntsville and Auburn/Opelika were mentioned in Forbes magazine for having some of the largest projected economic growth in the nation in the upcoming years. Thats why Montgomery was left out, not because its not important as the state capitol but because its behind the other three metros right now in terms of economic conditions and population. Those are also the top 3 economic generators in terms of GDP for the state BHAM being much higher than the other two.

People visit Montgomery for its historical significance and because it is the center of government for Alabama, not for its thriving economy you keep confusing historical context of a place with its economic status they are not the same thing and the discussion was in reference to economic impact not history. You seem to want to downplay the economic impact of Huntsville,Madison County has led the state in job creation in approximately 18 out of the last 21 years. What is the issue with your dislike of Huntsville anyway is it because too many people that aren't from Alabama live here? Or is it because its the city in the state that least represents Old Alabama?