PRESS RELEASE

 

GENEVA MAYOR HOSTS ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEETING

     On Monday, April 29th, Geneva Mayor Philip Carter hosted a meeting on economic & community development planning with other local and state officials.  Those in attendance were Mr. Jim Byard, Jr., Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell, State Representative Donnie Chesteen, Wiregrass EDC Director Jonathan Tullos and Vann Bradshaw with the Economic Development office of Alabama Power.

 

     The purpose of this meeting was to discuss with Director Byard the resources his agency, ADECA, has available to cities.  Director Byard serves as part of the executive branch and is a direct appointment of the Governor.  ADECA is a state agency which administers a broad range of state and federal programs and grants that contribute to the department’s mission – Building Better Alabama Communities.  Programs are targeted towards stimulating both economic and community growth and are a vital part of maintaining and improving the quality of life in Alabama.  Each year ADECA distributes hundreds of millions of dollars to support economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, job training, energy conservation, law enforcement, traffic safety, recreation development and assistance to low-income families. 

     

     Mayor Carter detailed Geneva’s concerns, needs and goals.  Director Byard emphasized the need for a Strategic Master Plan for the City and an interest in working with the City to formulate a plan and work towards its goals.

 

     Mayor Carter expressed his appreciation to Mayor Boswell and WEDC Director Tullos for making this meeting possible.  Geneva and Enterprise are both partners with WEDC which helps facilitate and coordinate economic development projects.



      Mayor Carter presented Director Byard a picture of the Geneva Constitutional Oak in appreciation of his visit.  Mayor Carter stated his commitment to the establishment of goals and the implementation of a plan for their accomplishment in an effort to help Geneva grow and prosper.