Eight counties learning to think as one. The Connecting Our Communities forum held recently in Oxford was the first of its kind, focusing on regionalism and marketing the Eastern business community as one entity. The event was hosted by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, the Calhoun County Economic Development Council and Alabama Power.

Alabama Power vice president Julia Segars, right

Regionalism was the focus of Julia Segars’ Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce chairmanship the past year. Segars is Alabama Power’s Eastern Division vice president. Ten chamber organizations across eight counties have focused on working together and learning to think “regionally.” Partners include Calhoun, Cherokee, Childersburg, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, and Randolph counties, as well as the communities of Pell City, Sylacauga and Talladega.

“With this inaugural forum, we received an overwhelmingly positive response. More than 120 participants from the eight partner counties attended,” said Segars, who came up with the idea as a way to take her ongoing regionalism efforts in east Alabama to the next level. Alabama Power Marketing and Economic Development Senior Vice President Greg Barker helped Segars plan the community event.

Economic Developement senior vice president Greg Barker

The forum consisted of two panels. The first, Success Through Collaboration, was moderated by Barker. The second panel discussion was entitled Success Through Innovation and Education and was moderated by Jo Bonner,  vice chancellor of Government Relations and Economic Development at the University of Alabama. Industry experts from various areas in east Alabama shared their stories and case studies. The panelists shared stories and personal details involved with landing some of the state’s largest industries. In some cases, the panelists shared lessons of not being chosen by major industries and how those misfortunes created the business climate Alabama enjoys today.

Segars said many panelists agreed the forum revealed that every area faces challenges in economic development, but when those obstacles are shared with partners, success can become a reality.