STRIKE THE MATCH
tine business climate is at the heart of our mission.”
It may sometimes only take a single spark, but that tiny
The launch of Alabama’s first Internet exchange in
light has to have the proper fuel to fully ignite. That’s why city and county officials as well as the Chamber are putting considerable thought and effort into forming an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Montgomery, a place where groundbreaking ideas can catch fire. McGinty outlined the ways the Chamber is contrib-
Montgomery, MGMix, is playing a part too, putting the city on the map in terms of tech and cyber, the industries most often associated with entrepreneurship.
IF WE BUILD IT But are we doing enough to get and keep en-
uting to an entrepreneurial-friendly climate. “The
trepreneurs here? According to Morris, Mont-
Chamber has long been a forerunner in small
gomery boasts a great business environment
business economic development with its incubation program, co-working space and domestic soft-landing initiative, so we are always looking for ways to
with available resources for small businesses and start-ups, plus the right attitude. “The city government is progressive and welcoming. My
grow that part of our economy,” she said. “The Cham-
office is right across the street from city hall, and I can
ber counsels and trains more than 2,000 clients each
tell you that downtown is booming through the efforts
year. We are THE first stop for anyone looking to start
of Mayor Strange and people like Mac McLeod, Jerry
a business. We teach long- and short-form business
Kyser, the Foshees, Clay McInnis and companies like
planning as well as steps to business formation and
Marjam,” he said. “The Chamber is also helpful with
regulatory compliance.” The Chamber also provides
incubator programs, seminars and workshops to facili-
professional development training for business own-
tate small business growth.”
ers while advocating for pro-small business legislation and regulatory changes.
Montgomery was an easy choice for Morris when deciding where to base his business; he was born and
The city has several initiatives in partnership with the
raised here, has family here and, the market for his
private sector aimed at helping small businesses,
specific idea is huge here. “Montgomery is the home
which includes budding entrepreneurs. In 2015, it
of several top-notch law firms, and I saw the need for
introduced its Montgomery Small and Minority Owned
a well-run, locally owned litigation support company,”
Business Initiative, led by Mayoral Senior Advisor and
he said. “The loyalty of my customers and the quality
past Chamber Chairman Judge Charles Price, in an
of life in Montgomery is what keeps me here.”
effort to expand opportunities and increase participation of small and minority businesses in city and
It’s a similar situation for Bell, even though today a
county contracts, while encouraging the same in the
large portion of his team and his business is beyond
private sector. “Our goal is to do everything we can
the River Region. “Family has really played a big part
to prime the pump for success,” Mayor Strange said.
in bringing and keeping me here, and we have good
“From paving roads and negotiating with developers
customers here, so there are no plans to go else-
to lowering the costs of starting or doing business in
where,” he said. Bell says that the current resources
Montgomery by eliminating red tape, cultivating a pris-
in the capital city match the current need, but to grow,
14 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL