HOW AN IDEA GENERATED ON A BENCHMARKING TRIP BECAME THE WEST ALABAMA WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS CREATES
TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE
EDUCATION SUMMIT
FEATURES HISTORIC PILLARS OF EDUCATION
CELEBRATE LOCAL WELCOMES HUNDREDS OF ATTENDEES
Dr. Cynthia Warrick is a trailblazer for women. In 2017, she became president of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa — the first woman to fill that position since the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) was established in 1876. Alabama Power applauds Dr. Warrick for a distinguished academic career that continues to demonstrate her careerlong commitment to excellence in education and her passion for cultivating future women leaders. We take pride in recognizing her as a Power Mover.
weStalabamachamber.com
If you’ve been a Chamber member for any length of time, you know what this means – “rip off and duplicate.” Like most folks in the Chamber world, we’re advocates of discovering great ideas from across the country and repurposing them to make them work in our own community, for our own members. Often, the ideas are seemingly simple ones that greatly improve internal processes. Sometimes, it’s a clever campaign that dramatically boosts community awareness. More rarely, there are those concepts that can bring your Chamber – and your community – to a new level.
There’s no greater R & D opportunity than the Chamber’s annual benchmarking trips. In fact, that’s the number one reason we now host one each year. Past trips have delivered unique opportunities for our business and community leaders to apply lessons learned in other cities to our own communities, and to see first-hand the results of their decision-making processes.
From entrepreneurship to community planning to public art, participants began to implement lessons learned on these trips from the start. However, the 2018 trip to Lexington, Kentucky inspired our most ambitious R & D to date. With multiple entities housed under the same roof and collaborating toward common goals, the Commerce Lexington model was one we knew we could – and should – emulate.
With an amazing corporate partner in Regions Bank, a visionary Chamber Board of Directors, and the assistance of too many members to count, we made the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center a reality in less than three years – despite the challenges and strategic pause presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cutting the ribbon on the center this spring, we’re excited to see what the future holds. Although we looked to our friends in Lexington for a blueprint, we’re enthusiastically working to accomplish something completely unique in the nation. As Albert Einstein once said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” At the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center, we’re only bound by the limits of what we believe we can achieve.
Onward,
Chair
Elizabeth Winter
Regions Bank
Chair-Elect
Tripp Powell Powell Enterprises
Immediate Past Chair
Bobby Bragg
JamisonMoneyFarmer PC
Vice Chair, Communications and Marketing
Kelsey Rush
Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports
Vice Chair, Economic Development
Carl Jamison
JamisonMoneyFarmer PC
Vice Chair, Education and Workforce Development
Brad Newman
Shelton State Community College
Vice Chair, Leadership and Community Engagement
Michele Coley Allstate Coley Agency
Vice Chair, Membership and Investor Relations
Jheovanny Gomez
Jalapenos Mexican Grill
Vice Chair, Public Policy and Advocacy
Matt Feller
BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing
Treasurer
Reed Norris
Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa
President and CEO/ Secretary
Jim Page, CCE, IOM Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Legal Counsel
Kim Ingram
Hayes Ingram, LLC
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Paul Betz, Mildred Black, Bobby Bragg, Rick Clementz, Michele Coley, Brock Corder, Steven Deal, Thomas Dedrick, Heather Dill, Russell Dubose, Amy Echols, Matt Fajack, Matt Feller, Jheovanny Gomez, Chris Gunter, Angela Hamiter, Tim Harrison, Carl Jamison, James Leitner, Angela Martin, Scott McClanahan, Gary McGee, Dr. Jacqueline Morgan, Jordan Morris, Brad Newman, Gary Nichols, Reed Norris, Whitney Oswalt, Jim Page, Tim Parker III, David Pass, Gary Phillips, Tripp Powell, Jasmine Rainey, David Rains, Nikki Ray, Steven Rumsey, Kelsey Rush, Sontonia Stephens, Elizabeth Winter, Sandra Wolfe, Bill Wright
Jim Page, CCe , iom
President and CeO (205) 391-0562
jim@westalabamachamber.com
Donny Jones, iom
Chief OPerating OffiCer (205) 391-0552
donny@westalabamachamber.com
Barkley garrett, CeCD
ViCe President, eCOnOmiC deVelOPment (205) 391-0329
barkley@westalabamachamber.com
nata’sha BlaCk
PrOgram manager, WOrkfOrCe deVelOPment (205) 391-0331
natasha@westalabamachamber.com
Brittani ColBurn
seniOr PrOgram manager, WOrkfOrCe deVelOPment (205) 391-0334
brittani@westalabamachamber.com
lauren Collier
PrOgram and OutreaCh manager, WOrkfOrCe deVelOPment (205) 391-0566
lauren@westalabamachamber.com
traCy CrumPton
direCtOr Of finanCe and OPeratiOns (205) 391-0554
tracy@westalabamachamber.com
aliCia gregory
direCtOr Of membershiP engagement (205) 391-0561
alicia@westalabamachamber.com
tammi holley
WOrkfOrCe COOrdinatOr (334) 310-9511
tammi@westalabamachamber.com
loWanDa James
direCtOr Of infOrmatiOn serViCes (205) 758-7588
lowanda@westalabamachamber.com
amy materson
direCtOr Of COmmuniCatiOns and marketing (205) 391-0563
amy@westalabamachamber.com
Carolyn tuBBs
direCtOr Of eduCatiOn PrOgrams (205) 391-0556
carolyn@westalabamachamber.com
tanya WinsteaD
direCtOr Of membershiP and resOurCe deVelOPment (205) 391-0327
tanya@westalabamachamber.com
Dianne PiCkren
eXeCutiVe assistant (205) 391-0555
dianne@westalabamachamber.com
Members of West Alabama's Legislative Delegation tackled issues of interest to members at the 2021 Chamber in Session: State of the State, addressing topics from COVID-19 relief to the state's financial health.
Moderated by BF Goodrich's Matt Feller, Representative Chris England, Representative Bill Poole, and Representative Kyle South spoke to Chamber members about changes moving forward intended to enhance the state's competitiveness.
MRep. England said he was pleased about the state's financial situation following the pandemic. "Our system was pretty secure and our state emerged stronger," he said. "Alabama government was relatively nimble. We saw executive orders emerge that helped many people."
Rep. South emphasized the rolling reserve previously put into place for the education fund had served as model. "Two years ago, we put a similar vehicle in place for the general fund," he said. "This helped us through situations like this when the
PRESENTED BY:
economy is in question."
Rep. Poole noted that while "the book hasn't been written" on the pandemic response yet, he and his colleagues are pleased. "We're grateful for local leadership," Poole said. "This has been hard on everyone - healthcare, education leaders, and business."
Poole noted numerous reports indicated Alabama fared well in the disruption. "Several reports put our fiscal stability at eighth in the county," he said.
Moving forward, the delegation noted the legislature still has issues to address with respect to corrections and Medicaid. Alabama, like many other states, is facing a critical shortfall of certified math and science teachers.
Rep. Poole said the state needs 3,000 math and science teachers and has created a broken out pay scale to attract new teachers, which is creating positive results. "We've made targeted investments in Pre-K and in technology," he said. "We are going to see a lot of learning loss caused by the
pandemic and we cannot overreact to that.
The pandemic also emphasized the critical need for broadband expansion in the state, Rep. South said. "We all can agree there are needs in the outlying areas," he said "Our job as legislators is to draw upon funds to build upon that access and to identify ways to use federal funding to build out those areas. We must make sure we are self-aware enough to understand the difference between served, unserved, and underserved.
The delegation also discussed lottery and gaming, a popular topic of discussion. "Lottery and gaming are suffocating each other," Rep. England said. "A simple lottery bill does not exist."
To wrap up the event, Rep. Poole urged attendees to be organized and strategic with respect to economic development in the area, stressing West Alabama has all the assets needed to be competitive with other areas of the state.
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The 2021 Education Summit, held June 30 at the Bryant Conference Center, focused on the state of local and regional public school systems and the announcement of the new Pillars of Education.
The guest speaker for the event was Liz Huntley, child advocate, attorney at Lightfoot, Franklin, & White, author of More Than a Bird, and President and co-founder of The Hope Institute. A panel featured Michael Ryans, Superintendent, Hale County Schools; Dr. Keri C. Johnson, Superintendent, Tuscaloosa County Schools; and Dr. Mike Daria, Superintendent, Tuscaloosa City Schools.
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Literacy: Providing support for efforts that promote grade level reading and the development of literate citizens, as well as a culture of literacy in the community.
Character: Working together to foster character development in our students to improve their lives, inspire success, and enrich the spirit of our communities.
Elevating Educators: Teaming up with educators by providing support, addressing needs, and highlighting efforts in and out of the classroom.
Career Pathways: Walking alongside students as they acquire employability skills as they charter a course for their future. Guide them along career pathways that pique their interest, capitalize on their abilities and showcase their skills.
DDozens of popular West Alabama businesses showcased their products and services June 22 at the Tuscaloosa River Market during Celebrate Local, an annual event designed to feature the best of West Alabama.
Presented by Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, the event was free and open to the public, and gave hundreds of attendees the opportunity to shop for clothing, jewelry, gifts, art, and more, while sampling food from popular local restaurants.
HOW
FOLLOWING EACH OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WEST ALABAMA’S ANNUAL BENCHMARKING TRIPS, PARTICIPANTS RETURNED HOME NOT ONLY BRISTLING WITH NEW IDEAS, BUT READY AND WILLING TO TURN CONCEPTS INTO ACTIONS. CHAMBER MEMBERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ALIKE FOUND COMMON GROUND IN PIONEERING NEW APPROACHES TO ENHANCE AND ENRICH WEST ALABAMA.
In Greenville, South Carolina, attendees were struck by the city’s downtown redevelopment, and took note of both cosmetic improvements as well as processes. Once back in West Alabama, several participants discovered they’d developed a previously unknown taste for public art, and public-private partnerships resulting in installations around the area were born.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, participants examined the city’s successful riverfront redevelopment. At that time, Elevate Tuscaloosa was newly passed, and elected representatives saw that as evidence the decision to provide quality of life funding was the correct one.
However, the Chamber’s 2018 trip to Lexington, Kentucky, would change the organization’s trajectory. Lexington is home to Commerce Lexington, Inc., which houses multiple partner agencies in one facility. They work together to advance economic, workforce, and community development efforts. For benchmarking trip attendees, it was a spark.
“Our team came home from Lexington with the idea that we could create something similar here,” said Jim Page, President and CEO of the Chamber. “We all know close collaboration occurs more easily when partner entities are in the same space. It’s a true testament to the value of learning proven best practices from other innovative communities.”
At home, a search for space was underway. The Chamber’s office on Jack Warner Parkway was already at maximum capacity with the Chamber’s professional staff, and to assemble the right mix of partners, much more space would be needed. With downtown real estate at a premium, Page knew it would be an uphill battle finding a
Since its construction in the late 1960’s, the downtown Regions Bank building has been a hub of business activity. It is only fitting that over a half century later, the building that housed it has been reimagined by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama into a true business hub for the Tuscaloosa community. That transformation of a 50-year-old bank into the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center has been a challenge that has required Chamber partners, staff members, and volunteers to work long, tough days to accomplish.
The lower level of the building, which used to be the trust and bonds section of the bank, has been updated with paint, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and technology to now become an office hub for not-for-profit entities in Tuscaloosa. The break room has been refurbished, and includes a Micro Market from Buffalo Rock, which contains traditional vending products as well as a unique offering of national and regional brands, larger sizes, more variety, and higher quality of products, including fresh produce, salads, snack trays, plus other fresh items like yogurt, meat and cheese, hardboiled eggs, and more. In addition, the lower-level conference room has been made available for all the tenants to use as they need, in addition to the main conference/boardroom on the second level.
The ground floor of the building, while not renovated in Phase I, has been dramatically changed from the hustle and bustle of bank tellers and customers to a community workforce and business hub shared by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and West AlabamaWorks. The atrium space of the main floor is a gathering space for the Chamber that has not been available in any other building where it has operated, and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the building gave a small glimpse of what is to come with that space. Phase II of the building renovation will address this area, with spatial and technological improvements that will help both the Chamber and West AlabamaWorks propel business and industry in this area into the future.
The second floor Phase I renovation is a glimpse into what Phase II can create for the Chamber beginning with the elevator walls providing a backdrop of a scenic sunset over the Black Warrior River. The entire second floor was painted, most was refloored, and regionally themed art has been curated throughout the entire second floor. The Camgian suite, which
was formerly an open style office with cubicles and offices on the periphery, is now a world class technological office space for a leading Artificial Intelligence company. It includes private office space, meeting space, a kitchen, and a secure workspace which formerly served as a bank vault. The space features its own glass entry storefront, graphics, and bold colors throughout, and no indication anywhere within the suite that it was formerly a bank office.
Habitat for Humanity occupies the middle suite of the 2nd floor and was formerly a commercial loan office. Habitat’s skilled labor partnership with West AlabamaWorks will continue to thrive, as evidenced by the finish work of the office space having been completed by Habitat’s own workers.
The Regions Boardroom, as it was known when the building served as the Regions Bank Downtown Branch and is now known again today, features cutting edge technology and one of the largest boardrooms in the area. It can host meetings, training, events, video conferences and more, and is available for use for all tenants of the entire building. It also features a catering kitchen to provide food and beverage for any event, as well as a 110-inch multi-panel video board and two 55-inch TVs mounted at the midpoint of the space. The possibilities for the uses of the room both by the Chamber and the building tenants are limitless.
While the transformation of the building has not been easy, it has been extremely rewarding to see such an important building to businesses in the past become an equally important building for businesses in the future. The work is not finished, but it has made significant strides. The future is bright for the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center.
Moving into their new home means broadened horizons for West AlabamaWorks. On this block in the middle of downtown Tuscaloosa, the workforce team is hopeful for future projects and growth in the community. Centrally located on the bus route, West AlabamaWorks is near many supportive services for job seekers, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tuscaloosa's One Place, The United Way of West Alabama, Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Temporary Emergency Services, and many others.
suitable location. However, fate, luck, and timing intervened, and presented the perfect opportunity.
Regions Bank, located in downtown Tuscaloosa just blocks from the Chamber office, had big plans. Their 9th Street block was undergoing significant changes, as The Edge, an incubator and accelerator that had been in a small Regions-owned building for years, had relocated to a spectacular new facility on 10th Avenue. In its place, Regions was constructing a state-of-the-art banking center, which would leave their current location – a facility of more than 40,000 square feet in size – vacant.
Regions Bank has been a Game Changer level sponsor in the Chamber’s Next Level Initiative – a five-year strategic plan that concentrates on key initiatives such as leading workforce readiness and quality education, diversifying economic growth, engaging the community to create true quality of place, and driving public policy and business advocacy. As a Next Level
Initiative investor, the Regions team was aware of the Chamber’s plans, and their need for space. In fact, Elizabeth Winter, Regions Bank’s Tuscaloosa market executive, served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and would become the 2021 Chair.
Vacant 40,000-square-foot office buildings in downtown Tuscaloosa don’t come along every day, so the team knew they’d have to move quickly.
With Winter’s encouragement and backing, the Chamber’s Board of Directors worked up plans for the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center. Unlike anything currently in existence in the state, the center would be an ambitious undertaking that would require unmatched teamwork.
The challenge was that there would certainly be competition for premium space, and price would be an issue. However, because Regions Bank saw the value such a facility would
For Director of Education Programs Carolyn Tubbs, the increased opportunities for the Adopt-A-School program were immediate. “Us being here in the office together means more connections from industry to help our schools. We can make sure that industry is involved in our schools so that students can have better opportunities, whether that means education or workforce. All of that begins with the influence of industry. We are able to bridge that gap more quickly.” A prime example of these fostered connections is Habitat for Humanity, who are now full-fledged Adopt-A-School partners.
For the West AlabamaWorks team, there are many more opportunities to collaborate and create longer term projects. It is easier for new partnerships to form and to bring in more people. With this new space, the team can expand their reach. In the building, they can host meetings and events that are meaningful and can include more members of the community. The small businesses or nonprofits who need some direction can use the Chamber’s network which includes those services provided by West AlabamaWorks. According to West AlabamaWorks Program Manager NaTa’sha Black, “We can create and foster experiences that focus on the current process and expanding and improving on that. With our in-house partners, we can make those direct connections.” In their new office space, there is now a home for the Career Connect kiosk, which allows users to register for jobs and trainings while also browsing for jobs available in the West Alabama area. “We were limited before, and we worked in silos. The conference table allows us to brainstorm and have relationships that we can build with our partners and coworkers,” says Black, “We are in the heart of downtown. It feels very inviting here in our new space. We made it work in our old space, but with the resources we have now, it feels like a true workforce. When anyone walks through that door, they will see that we are connecting the community with industry.”
During any given day, the West AlabamaWorks team can be spread all across the West Alabama region helping to bring industry and job seekers together. Whether it is organizing an outreach event in Demopolis, putting together a hiring fair at the Career Center, running Worlds of Work at Shelton State Community College, hosting an Automotive Cluster meeting, or a brainstorming for a new school program, they know that at the end of the day the team can all come home — and that is a comforting feeling.
On April 1, 2021, Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa officially became the first and most enthusiastic tenant of the Chamber’s new West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center.
You may well ask why Habitat Tuscaloosa, a nonprofit which builds and repairs houses mostly with volunteers, belongs in a center dedicated to job training and placement. The story has been many years in the making, but in February 2019, it took a giant leap forward as we built a house sponsored by The Builders Group.
The Builders Group president and Chamber board member Brock Corder, a longtime supporter of the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy (TCTA), brought TCTA plumbing and carpentry students to work on a Habitat house sponsored by his company, and the students had a great experience. At the same time, Habitat Tuscaloosa was trying to purchase 40 lots in West End. As that purchase became closer to reality, it dawned on us that most of these lots were within a half mile of the TCTA and would be perfect job training sites for TCTA students of the construction trades. Operation Transformation was born.
Tuscaloosa City Schools superintendent Dr. Mike Daria was completely on board with Operation Transformation from the first mention of the idea, as was the administration and faculty of the TCTA. Although the 40 lots were not yet purchased, plans were made for TCTA plumbing, carpentry, and electrical students to begin work on another West End Habitat house after spring break 2020.
Then the world shut down.
But the COVID-19 closure gave us unexpected time to plan, to make further connections, and to broaden the job training scope of Operation Transformation.
The most important of those connections was with the Dannon Project, a 21-year-old Birmingham non-profit which works primarily with youthful and young adult non-violent
bring to the community, they generously agreed to sell the property to the Chamber at a price below market value.
According to Winter, the project aligned with the bank’s mission to support the communities it serves. “This is about the power of community partnership; when we work together for the common good, we can help Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama achieve new heights in terms of business development and job creation,” Winter said. “The opportunity for Regions to provide a better banking experience for the needs of today’s customers resulted in a chance to support this unique project to further this community’s growth and workforce development.”
With clear goals and objectives outlined for the center, the Chamber set to work listing the Jack Warner Parkway property and recruiting community organizations and partners to join them in the West Alabama Workforce and Community Center.
The first tenant in the space, Habitat for Humanity has bright, spacious offices on the second floor.
However, like most business ventures, the project ground to a near halt with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even with the challenges the pandemic presented, the Chamber’s Board of Directors, partners, and facilities team, led by board member Tripp Powell, was determined to see the center realized, and Regions Bank stood firm in their commitment to the Chamber.
As the pieces began to fall into place, partners were eager to come on board.
Habitat for Humanity was the first organization to relocate to the center. Known for building new homes and repairing existing homes, the organization has a strong presence in the community. Through Operation Transformation, Habitat is using their construction sites to train students in the construction trades, and to teach construction skills to young non-violent offenders through a partnership with the
offenders coming out of the criminal justice system, and gives them job skills, life skills, and a new start. Among their participants in other communities, the Dannon Project cuts the recidivism rate from 67.8 percent to about 5 percent, and one year after job placement, 96 percent of their participants are still employed in the same positions in which they were placed initially.
Working with the Department of Corrections and the Chamber, the Dannon Project will move into the Chamber’s workforce development center this summer. In partnership with Skilled Trades of West Alabama, Dannon Project participants who are interested and show aptitude for construction will spend 12 weeks on Habitat build sites (separate from TCTA students), while getting many of their initial job certifications through Skilled Trades of West Alabama.
The Chamber has been supportive of Operation Transformation every step of the way, from hosting an initial meeting of industry leaders, to leasing administrative office space to both Habitat Tuscaloosa and the Dannon Project. What we’ve discovered since we moved in is that we are in the “building where it happens.” We’ve made so many connections as we walk through the facility or ride the elevator. Everyone with whom we wish to connect is here!
With a generous donation from The Builders Group, Habitat Tuscaloosa was able to purchase the first 5 lots in January 2021 and at the beginning of May, TCTA carpentry students helped frame the 18th National Championship House, and TCTA electrical students did all the initial wiring. By the end of June, due to the generosity of the City of Tuscaloosa, GAF, Premier Service Co, Jackson Security Services, Capstone Church, and others, we closed on the other 35 lots. In addition to financial support, GAF has given us 25 houses worth of shingles (so far). Nick’s Kids Foundation, MBUSI, Alabama Power, Alabama Power Foundation, Tuscaloosa County Commission, Publix Super Markets Charities, State Farm, and others have committed support to build those 40 houses and provide necessary infrastructure.
Habitat Tuscaloosa owes a great debt of gratitude to the Chamber for its steadfast support for our organization as we serve more people in homeownership, repairs, and now, in job training.
SAM FAUCETT’S LONGTIME VISION FOR UNIFIED APPROACH TO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMES TO FRUITION WITH NEW CHAMBER HQ IN FORMER REGIONS BUILDING
By Ryan Phillips, Tuscaloosa Patch Community Publisher, Chamber Communications and Marketing CommitteeThe Chamber has positioned its new home in downtown Tuscaloosa to become the central hub for workforce and community development across the entire region. But while it’s easy to dream about the future, it’s important not to overlook the history of the building itself and the place it has occupied in both the banking sector and the Tuscaloosa community as a whole.
Sam P. Faucett III, 86, saw most — if not all — of the changes firsthand. The longtime banking executive, politician and philanthropist was there when First Alabama Bank made the brand transition to Regions Bank and was also present when the Chamber opened its innovative new home in his former office space earlier this year. Faucett retired from Regions Bank in 2000 after serving in a host of roles, ranging from chairman of the board to president of the Western, Florida and Louisiana divisions of the bank.
“It was designed and has the fixtures for three stories, in case they wanted to expand,” he recalled about 9th Street office now occupied by the Chamber. “In fact, the elevator had a three on it, but there was no third floor.”
While some aspects of the 54-year-old building haven’t changed a whole lot since Faucett’s time, despite the Chamber’s extensive renovations, he also reflected on how drivethru windows had not yet even come into the banking sector when he began his career in downtown Tuscaloosa in the 1960s.
However, one constant that could be found within the walls of the building has been the community-oriented focus of its occupants.
non-profit Dannon Project, which will also be in the center. The Dannon Project works to use charitable resources and government funding to reduce high risk behaviors caused by poverty cycles.
Also joining was Camgian Microsystems, a Starkville, Mississippi-headquartered firm that delivers a new generation of advanced sensing and information processing platforms. Camgian is a leader in developing end-to-end platforms comprising advanced sensors, wireless communications, realtime signal processing, and data analytics to fill intelligence gaps for the defense and commercial markets. Having outgrown their Tuscaloosa location in The Edge Incubator and Accelerator, Camgian was a perfect fit for the vision created for the West Alabama Workforce and Community Center.
The Junior League of Tuscaloosa and Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County have also joined the Chamber and West AlabamaWorks in the center. All the organizations and companies work together in partnership to better the community.
Although the Chamber staff, board, facilities committee, and members didn’t expect it to take two years, the Chamber and Regions Bank held a joint grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 18.
“This ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates how community partnerships can achieve great results,” Page said during the event. “This game-changing facility creates a center for workforce development, job creation, and opportunities for collaboration among likeminded organizations.” Visit
“We pushed [employees of the bank] being involved in the Chamber of Commerce … One of the things I was involved with was the merger of Northport and Tuscaloosa (Chambers) and worked to get the two merged. I am a Northporter and I believe in the separation of the cities, but I believe in the consolidation of services, like the jail. We’ve got the hospital, and parks and recreation … why not the Chamber?”
The merger happened in 1984 and Faucett would go on to serve as chairman in 1988, along with working as its director and treasurer. This merger would then evolve over the years into one of the most successful economic development engines in the state of Alabama, which makes it only more fitting that its new home will be in such a historic location.
As the Chamber opened its doors in May, Faucett was able to see his vision become a reality for a unified regional approach to community development. While the building’s layout has been altered in many respects since his days at the bank, his former first floor office remains relatively unchanged and is now appropriately occupied by Tracy Crumpton, the Chamber’s long-time director of finance and operations.
Embracing the concept of becoming a central location for the region’s workforce, other entities have also set up shop under the Chamber’s roof — dubbed the West Alabama Workforce and Community Development Center. These organizations include West AlabamaWorks, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County, Junior League of Tuscaloosa, Camgian Microsystems and administrative functions for The Dannon Project — a nationally-recognized nonprofit that partners with community corrections boards on second-chance workforce program for people who have previously been incarcerated.
Phase 1 of renovations to the former Regions building consisted of work to the building's second floor, including revamped office space and changes to the building's main boardroom. Work on Phase 2 is expected to begin in the coming months and will include renovations to the first floor that houses the Chamber's offices, along with exterior improvements to the building.
FFor skilled trades, a journeyman is defined as a person who has served an apprenticeship at a trade or handicraft and is certified to work at it assisting or under another person. To earn a journeyman certification in plumbing or HVAC, a person in must have at least 6,000 hours of experience working in the trade, with 576 hours of technical instruction in a classroom. For the Electrical program, that number increases to 8,000 hours of experience. The facility in Tuscaloosa provides skilled trades technicians the opportunity to earn the coveted journeyman license. Skilled Trades of West Alabama (STOWA), located on James I. Harrison Parkway, is in the newly renovated former home of the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology.
STOWA is the result of a partnership between Premier Service Company (PSC), West Alabama Works, and the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, but began as an in-house apprenticeship program for PSC. Gary Phillips, President of Premier Service Company, saw an opportunity to expand the program and help multiple contractors in West Alabama. The benefits of this kind of program are two-fold. They not only help technicians climb the ladder in their trade-- they also help the contractors staff their company with highly skilled, knowledgeable employees. Apprenticeships allow students to earn income while learning an indemand trade, creating a pathway for a high-paying job with little to no educational debt. STOWA only charges $10 per week per students to cover the cost of materials. In addition, it offers a unique way of learning for those already in the workforce. The center allows apprentices to train in the plumbing, electrical, sheet metal fabrication, HVAC, and Alarm fields. "We set up an apprenticeship program that will allow people that are already working in the trades -- either electrical, HVAC, alarms or plumbing -- to come here at night and get the education that they need by studying in their trade," says Mark White, Program Director of the Skilled Trades of West Alabama Apprenticeship Program.
Classes will resume at STOWA on August 30th and there are currently 59 students enrolled through 13 contractors. It is a full house of interaction and activity, but safety is always paramount. “COVID restricts how many students we can have in the building right now, but we could easily have twice that many a year from now,” says White. “We are strictly adhering to social distance protocols; we are also actively recruiting more students for the fall and are always looking for more partnerships with contractors.” Their next hiring event is scheduled for July 28th.
Another element of STOWA that was recently added is a program called Jump Start Core Training, which is open to anyone over the age of 18. This 12-week course provides a broad overview of the trades with an emphasis on safety, how to dress for success in interviews, and includes OSHA 10 certification. STOWA’s next Jump Start cohort will begin on August 2nd. “We are looking for opportunities for growth and ways to serve the community and our students. We listened to our students last year, and in addition to the Jump Start program, we are providing more ways for hands-on learning to reach a wider pool of people,” says White. STOWA’s learning space includes a large shop area where students can work with their instructors on projects outside of the classroom.
STOWA is an employer-based State of Alabama Apprenticeship Program and wants to encourage employees in skilled trades to be more than just helpers. “We continue to search for innovative ways to train skilled workers in West Alabama. When Gary Phillips approached us with his vision for Skilled Trades of West Alabama, I knew this school would be a center for prosperity and growth for West Alabama,” said Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama COO and West Alabama Works Executive Director Donny Jones. For those employees and companies who value hard work, dedication, and learning, Skilled Trades of West Alabama is open for business.
https://www.skilledtradesofwestalabama.com/contact
“
We set up an apprenticeship program that will allow people that are already working in the trades — either electrical, HVAC, alarms or plumbing — to come here at night and get the education that they need by studying in their trade.Mark White— Program Director of the Skilled Trades of West Alabama Apprenticeship Program
“
JOLLY HEARTH & PATIO
1801 64th Avenue Northport, AL 35476 (205) 333-8275
Megan Jolly
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2430 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3619
LaTanya Williams-Collins
CRAVINGS
2320 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 331-4153
Craig Williams
JUST LOVE COFFEE CAFÉ, LLC
2531 University Blvd. #100 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 759-2587
Alex Roberts
URBAN BAR & KITCHEN
2321 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 248-7162
Gary McGee
PARA ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
5901 Watermelon Rd. Northport, AL 35473 (205) 633-1421
Gary Minor
764-1640
William Getchell
464-8463
James Granger
722-2045
Paul Bible
409-0175
Dr. Rosemarie Caillier
R&R CIGARS 46 McFarland Blvd. Northport, AL 35473 (205) 722-2458
Reagan Starner
GROCERY BREWPUB 2230 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 2764-9806
Rayford Cook
A & Z WALLS & PAINT LLC
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 532-1014
Zenit Zuniga Contractors - General Contractors - Painting
AC HOTEL TUSCALOOSA DOWNTOWN
2585 6th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 374-8080
Karen Steiger Hotels / Motels / Bed & Breakfast / Lodging
ACCEPTANCE LOAN COMPANY
2320 McFarland Blvd. E
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35404
Phone: (205) 391-3545
Caitlin Morrison Financial Institutions
AIR EVAC LIFETEAM
108 21st St NE
Fayette, AL 35555
Phone: (205) 533-2324
Nathan Gann Ambulance Services
ALPHA BUSINESS SERVICES LLC - TRADEMART 1
918 LURLEEN B WALLACE
BLVD S
TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 342-0702
ROHEN POR Convenience Stores / Gas Stations
AMERICA'S SWIMMING POOL CO.
1130 University Blvd., Suite B9 #262
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 579-9689
Marsh Flatau Swimming Pool Contractors / Dealers / Supplies
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, INC. SOUTH REGION
1100 Ireland Way, Suite 300
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: (205) 918-3228
Aubie Clements Non-Profit Organizations
BACKPACK CONNECTIONS
2505 Jefferson Street
Tuscaloosa, Al 35405
Phone: (205) 344-2994
Pam Rogers Non-Profit Organizations
BADCOCK HOME
FURNITURE & MORE
140 Skyland Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone:
Rod Morgan Furniture Dealers
BB MEDIA
Northport, AL 35473
Phone: (205) 561-8816
Kala Brown Photographers Video - MultimediaProduction
BIOPURE WEST CENTRAL
ALABAMA
15300 Hwy 140
Coker, AL 35452
Phone: (205) 858-4822
Melissa Morgan Janitorial Services
BIZFORTIS ADVISORS, LLC
2100 South Bridge Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 774-0448
Bret Tecklenburg Consultants Financial Planners / Consultants
BYARS WRIGHT, INC.
1700 4th Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: (205) 221-3621
Brandi Miles Insurance
CARDIAC SOLUTIONS
2013 Springhill Court
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: (888) 223-2939
Julie Purinton Medical Equipment / Supplies
CHAMBER MUSIC
TUSCALOOSA
1924 7th Street
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Phone: (205) 348-7790
Jenny Gregoire Non-Profit Organizations
CRATERS AND FREIGHTERS
200 Midstate Drive
Brent, AL 35034
Phone: (205) 633-9955
William Stokes Delivery / Shipping Services
CRAVINGS LLC
2320 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 331-4153
Craig Williams Restaurants
DBMC RESTAURANTS OF TUSCALOOSA, AL, LLC
DBA WALK-ON'S SPORTS
BISTREAUX
675 Skyland Blvd
Tuscaloosa , AL 35405
Phone: (205) 722-2045
Paul Bible Restaurants
DUNCAN COKER
ASSOCIATES, P.C.
302 Merchants Walk, Suite 250
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: (205) 561-0808
Jimmy Duncan Engineers - Professional / Consulting Consultants
EMPOWER STRATEGIES
Northport, AL 35475
Phone: (205) 332-2702
Gene Lewis Consultants
FUN FACTORY BOUNCING PARTIES
P.O. Box 1615
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
Phone: (205) 345-5454
Entertainment / Recreation
GROCERY BREWPUB
TUSCALOOSA, LLC
2230 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 616-1757
Rayford Cook Restaurants Lounges / Nightclubs
H&M CONSTRUCTION CO., LLC
2660 Hwy 43 South
Demopolis, AL 36732
Phone: (334) 641-4250
Chris Booth Construction - General
HOMEWOOD SUITES
2451 Jack Warner Parkway
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 349-2727
Olivia Godwin Hotels / Motels / Bed & Breakfast / Lodging
HOWELL
LUMBER COMPANY, INC.
12495 Oak Ridge Road
Northport, AL 35475
Phone: (205) 339-4838
Wendell Howell Wholesalers / Distributors
JDOG JUNK REMOVAL AND HAULING TUSCALOOSA
4869 Brook Highland Circle
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: (205) 579-2223
David Gillespie Trucking - Hauling/Off Loading
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
TUSCALOOSA
1490 Northbank Pkwy
Suite 180
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Phone: (205) 759-3400
Liz McKinley Real Estate / Realty / Realtors
LAS PINAS HOMEMADE ICE
CREAM & SNACKS
2003 McFarland Blvd. E.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Phone: (205) 792-9512
Ana Jimenez Frozen Treats Restaurants
LEVEL 3 TRANSACTIONS
530 18th Street, Unit 101
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (662) 719-0243
Jonathan Kossman Financial Services
LORRIE LANE STUDIO
2420 6th St
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 292-3177
Lorrie Lane
Art Gallery
M. F. MORGAN & ASSOCIATES INC.
16401 Gainsville Rd
Ralph, AL 35480
Phone: (205) 239-1365 x6
John Fowler
Construction - General
MAGICAL MOMENTS
FORMAL ATTIRE
2312 6th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 752-7161
Glenda Daffron
Bridal Shops
ORKIN PEST CONTROL
4029 Greensboro Ave. Ste. D
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone: (205) 759-5775
Dwayne Hazel
Pest Control Services/Supplies
OVERFLOW EXPRESS WASH
NORTHPORT
3205 Hunter Creek Road
Northport, AL 35473
Phone: (205) 710-4997
Hugh Overmyer
Automotive Detailing & Customizing
PAPORI
1825 McFarland Blvd.
Suite 180
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: (205) 737-7869
Lindsey Lee
Retail - Boutique
Retail - Clothing, Accessories
PJ'S COFFEE AND RITA'S
ITALIAN ICE
1201 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
William Getchell Restaurants
Frozen Treats
PLANET FITNESSNORTHPORT
3380 McFarland Blvd.
Suite 1
Northport, AL 35476
Phone: (205) 686-6004
Ethan Davis
Fitness Centers
R & R CIGARS NORTHPORT
46 McFarland Blvd.
Northport, AL 35476
Phone: (205) 722-2458
Randy Starner
Cigar Lounge
RICK CARE, LLC
753 Grace Park S
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: (217) 202-6115
Cyndy Woodard Health Care Facilities
RIGHT AT HOME
320 Hargrove Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (659) 734-0660
Beau Green
Senior Home Care Health Care Services - General
ROLF'S CAFÈ & BISTRO
4550 Station Circle
Suite C&D
Northport, AL 35473
Phone: (205) 650-2076
Rolf Meyer Restaurants
S&B CLEANING SERVICES
3515 Mary Drive
Oxford and Tuscaloosa, Alabama 36203
Phone: (256) 454-4616
Sondra Shepherd Janitorial Services
SWEETDREAMZDELIVERED
1701 McFarland Blvd E
Suite 192
Tuscaloosa , AL 35404
Phone: (205) 735-9705
Nikeah Leech Bakeries - Retail
THE BARRE CODE
2700 University Blvd.
Suite B
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 248-2394
Jaci Gonzalez Fitness Centers
THE KALOS GROUP, LLC
2116 8th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: 1.20584E+13
John Murdock Real Estate Management
THE LAB USA
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (916) 601-0567
Donnie Lee Fitness Centers
TRIPLE POINT INDUSTRIES, LLC
3030 Mountain View Way
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 328-0808
Charles Maynard
URBAN BAR & KITCHEN, LLC
2321 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Gary McGee Restaurants
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
SOUTHEAST, INC.
3901 Palisades Dr., Suite C
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone: (251) 300-3500
DeAnna Ferguson Non-Profit Organizations
WESTGATE LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS
1150 8th St.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 737-1000
Ashlee Lowry Hotels / Motels / Bed & Breakfast / Lodging
WORKSMART STAFFING
3428 McFarland Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone: (205) 543-0307
Presley Gilder Employment Contractors / Staffing
(But,
GAME CHANGERS
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
CEO COUNCIL BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing | Cardiology Consultants, P.C. | Harrison Construction Company, Inc. | Hunt Refining Company | JamisonMoneyFarmer PC | Knight Sign Industries, Inc. | Shelton State Community College | Synovus | The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences
INVESTOR LEADERS Alabama Credit Union | AT&T | Barge Design Solutions, Inc. | Cintas | Industrial Warehouse Services Inc. | John Plott Company Inc. | McGiffert and Associates, LLC | Paragon HM Wealth Management | Parker Towing Company | Pritchett-Moore, Inc. | Spire, Inc. | The Onin Group | The Westervelt Company | Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. | TTL, Inc. | Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola Bottling Company | ZF Chassis Systems, LLC
GROWTH PARTNERS Adams Beverages
We see things differently here. We believe good customer service is customized for each business client. We believe in listening well, and being flexible. Because to us, good business banking should be tailored. It’s just how we see things here. This is West Alabama. We are West Alabama Bank. WE
| Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama | Buffalo Rock Company/Pepsi-Cola | Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. | Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. | DT Freight, LLC | Ellis Architects, Inc. | Fitts Agency | Harrison Galleries, LLC | Hotel Indigo| Jalapenos Mexican Grill | Lance Hocutt Financial Group | Lear Corporation | Northport Auto Supply | Plaster, Scarvey & Shumaker of Ameriprise Financial | Robertson Banking Company | The Builders Group of West Alabama | The Legacy Connection (TLC) | The Radiology Clinic | University of Alabama System | Ward Scott Architecture | Way, Ray, Shelton & Company, PC-CPA
COMMUNITY COLLEAGUES ARD
Logistics-Alabama, LLC | Bama Concrete Products Co., Inc. | BankFirst | BBVA | Cadence Bank, N.A. | Chick-fil-A of Northport | Echols, Taylor & Associates, P.C. | Hampton Inn University | Kyle Office Solutions | The Locker Room | Metalsa Tuscaloosa, Inc. | Raymond James | Remmert Company | Renasant Bank | SmartBank | Spiller Furniture & Mattress | TotalCom, Inc. | Winter McFarland
SINCE 1962, MCABEE HAS CALLED TUSCALOOSA HOME AND IS PROUD TO EMPLOY A LOCAL WORKFORCE, PRIORITIZE SAFETY, QUALITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY, AND ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE.
