EDA recognizes existing industries
Published 6:26 pm Saturday, October 1, 2016
EDA executive director Wayne Vardaman (center) is shown with Connie Messer and Gerald Worthington from Bush Hog, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.
Local existing industries were honored Thursday by the Selma and Dallas County Economic Development Authority.
The Celebration of Existing Industry highlighted the 28 industries, counting distributors, in Selma and Dallas County and what they mean to the community.
EDA executive director Wayne Vardaman and board chairman Andy Stewart welcomed guests from most local industries to Henry Brick’s lodge.
Vardaman said local existing industries account for more than 4,000 jobs and are vital to a community and its future.
“Eighty percent of all the growth you have is from your existing industry. It’s not from the new stuff,” Vardaman said.
Two local companies with long histories were honored for reaching milestones this year. Bush Hog and International Paper were recognized for the companies’ 65th and 50th anniversaries.
EDA executive director Wayne Vardaman (right) is shown with Arthur McLean and Jim Bruce from International Paper Riverdale Mill, which turns 50 years old this year.
Vardaman asked the local business leaders to help spread the word about local successes like Bush Hog and IP.
In 2015, Dallas County was 20th out of Alabama’s 67 counties in capital investment and 22nd in job creation. More than $63 million was invested last year by local companies, which added 241 jobs.
“You are the people that make that happen. All we try to do is be a catalyst and facilitator,” Vardaman said.
Vardaman said he hears often from visitors or even locals about how there is no industry in Dallas County. He pointed out how the first question in the summer’s mayoral forum was about how industry has left Selma.
“We’ve got to get our message out. That hurts us,” Vardaman said. “If it’s true, we work and get it straight. When it’s not true and that lie is being told, we have to fight it.”
To help do that, the EDA has partnered with 96.3 WJAM and 101.5 KIX Country for a monthly radio show.
Vardaman said there are jobs available in Dallas County as evidenced by the number of people who come into work from surrounding counties every day.
“5,200 people come into this community to work every day from other counties,” Vardaman said.
Unemployment in Dallas County ranges from 1,400 to 1,600 people every month. Vardaman said job training and helping prepare employees for the jobs that are available is key.
