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DOING BUSINESS
IN THE SHOALS
Economic Data
Labor Force
Demographics
Transportation
Utilities
Business Climate
Existing Industry
Business Resources
Area Government
Taxes
Financing
Incentives
Workforce Development
Maps
Local
Regional
Industrial Sites
Info Center
Quick Facts
News Releases
Shoals Economic Development Authority
Phone:
(256) 764-0351
1-800-239-6087
FAX: (256) 764-3850
20 Hightower Place
Suite 1
P.O. Box 580
Florence, Alabama 35630
E-mail:
info@seda-shoals.com
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BUSINESS RESOURCES
The following is description of organizations and institutions that are ready to assist businesses in start-up,
location and expansion:
Alabama Development Office
ADO accomplishes its mission through the active recruitment of new industry, support of existing
industry expansion in the state, and the promotion of trade with other countries.
These goals are met through the efforts of ADO's divisions of
and
Neal Wade, Director
The Alabama Development Office
Alabama Center for Commerce
401 Adams Avenue, Suite 670
Montgomery, AL 36130-4106
(800) 248-0033 (Phone)
(334) 242-0400 (Toll Free)
(334) 242-2414 (Fax)
Email:
The Alabama Technology Network (ATN)
The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) helps manufacturers in Alabama improve their global competitiveness
through technical assistance, workforce training, and technology transfer. ATN links you, the industry,
with technological resources from our network of universities, colleges, businesses, and government to
deliver the help you need to be more efficient, more productive, and more competitive. For example,
ATN consultants might conduct detailed needs assessments, outline potential solutions based on the
results, and then provide technical assistance to help you solve those problems or identify those who
can. ATN can provide the experts to make it happen. And, as a nonprofit organization,
ATN provides these services at a reasonable cost to your business.
The Alabama Technology Network
(800) 637-4634 (Toll Free)
Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority
The Port of Florence exists to serve the business community's current and future intermodal
transportation requirements. Use of marine transportation may offer your company reduced
transportation costs, receiving or shipping products to or from other U.S. ports or world-wide
ports. Companies do not have to be physically located in or near the port to take advantage of
shipping by barge. Intermodal facilities allow commodities to be offloaded to truck or train for
further shipment to the destination, or vice versa if the commodities are outgoing.
Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority
(256) 767-5388 (Phone)
Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG)
NACOLG, an affiliate of the Alabama State Data Center, can provide local business and industry
with the latest 2000 Census information, traffic counts for area roadways, and other key
demographic data, which can assist existing industry with expansion plans. NACOLG operates a revolving
loan fund (RLF) for expansions or start-up of business/industry in the Shoals area. The fund is a
locally controlled source of capital with emphasis on creating permanent jobs, leveraging private sector
investments, and reducing unemployment. Proceeds from the RLF loans can be used for land acquisition,
building construction, building renovation, capital equipment purchases, and permanent working capital.
The RLF can finance up to one-third of the total project cost at below prime interest rates, with loans
available from $10,000 to $125,000. For more information, please call Keith Jones of NACOLG.
Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG)
(256) 389-0555 (Phone)
Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC)
Training for Business and Industry (TBI)
Community Services is the "umbrella" division of NWSCC providing Training for Business and
Industry (TBI) and those programs designated as Continuing Education.
The TBI staff works with area companies to meet specific training needs.
Scheduled classes, whether academic, technical or continuing education, provide the
required training where possible. If these courses do not meet company requirements,
a TBI coordinator works with the client company to develop a training program.
Northwest-Shoals locates qualified instructors, if not already on staff, to deliver
training to established industry standards on schedule. The coordinator, along with
company representatives, monitor instruction to ensure employees reach company established
training outcomes. By partnering workforce training with NWSCC resources, TBI staff can
draw upon the most current personnel management practices using modern equipment including
computers, software, machine tools, electronics and safety devices. Additionally, NWSCC will
conduct training at times and locations convenient for business clients and their employees.
Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC)
Training for Business and Industry (TBI)
Mike Witt
(256) 331-5289 (Phone)
SCORE, Counselors to Small Business (SCORE)
SCORE is a member volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The association matches volunteer business management consultants with clients in need of expert advice.
SCORE has experts in virtually every area of business management and maintains a roster to help
identify the best counselor for a particular client. Volunteer counselors, whose collective
experience spans the full range of American enterprises, share their management and technical
expertise with both present and prospective small business owners. Most SCORE volunteers are
retired business owners or managers, though some members are still actively employed.
Volunteers work in or near their home communities to provide management counseling to first-time
entrepreneurs and current small business owners. Every effort is made to match a client's
needs with a counselor who is experienced in a comparable line of business. All individual
and team counseling is free and confidential. The Shoals SCORE Chapter services Colbert and
Lauderdale Counties and can be reached by contacting the UNA Small Business Development Center at (256) 765-4629.
Shoals Area/Tri-County Adult Education
The Shoals Area Tri-County Adult Education Program serves adults age 16 and older who are not
enrolled in school with classes in GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), family
literacy, basic reading, and workforce educational skills instruction. Class sites are located
throughout Franklin, Colbert, and Lauderdale counties at school, church, community, and industry
facilities. Services are provided free of charge in a relaxed atmosphere and are catered to the
individual needs of each participant. A series of assessments is given to each participant upon
entering the program. The Shoals Area Tri-County Adult Education Program works in partnership with
the eight local, public school systems and Northwest-Shoals Community College.
Shoals Career Center (SCC)
The SCC is comprised of Alabama State Employment Service, Unemployment Compensation Claims Center,
Career Link, and Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. The SCC mission is to serve as the
primary labor exchange for the Shoals area and to provide effective and efficient employment related
services. SCC's goal is to utilize available employment and training resources to develop a
well-trained, qualified, and diverse workforce for the Shoals area. Resources available
to any service seeker include Internet access, America's Job Bank, labor market information,
financial resource referrals for training, schools and community organizations'
information, assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, and compliance
information on the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, please call (256) 383-5610.
Shoals Career Center (SCC)
(256) 383-5610
Shoals Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a private business organization encompassing Colbert and Lauderdale counties
and is comprised of area businesses and organizations with particular interest in the Shoals'
economic development. With member investments, the Shoals Chamber diligently works to enhance
the quality of life for all Shoals citizens. The Shoals Chamber actively assists businesses
looking to build and/or relocate to the Shoals, encourages community development, and influences
infrastructure development and public policy. The Chamber also works with area schools in numerous
ways to help prepare students for the work-world. For more information, please call (256) 764-4661.
P.O. Box 1331
20 Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630 U.S.A.
(256) 764-4661 (Phone)
(877) 764-4661 (Toll Free)
(256) 766-9017 (Fax)
Email:
Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
A facility where public and private resources combine to help small businesses develop.
The Florence and Sheffield Centers are suitable for research and developmental firms,
businesses specializing in advanced technologies, service organizations, and assembly
and light manufacturing companies. The Center offers space, shared equipment, secretarial
and clerical support, on-site consulting, and other shared services such as mailing and
shipping, library, and conference room.
Giles McDaniel, Executive Director
Florence Location
(256) 760-9014
FAX: (256) 740-5530
3115 Northington Court
Florence, Alabama 35630
Sheffield Location
(256) 314-1750
FAX: (256) 314-1751
501 Little Rock Ave.
Sheffield, Alabama 35660
Shoals Commercial Culinary Center
(256) 764-0044
FAX: (256) 764-5999
610 W. College Street
Florence, AL 35630
Email:
Shoals Industry-Education Alliance
The Shoals Industry-Education Alliance provides direct links to those who need training with
those who provide training. Many businesses and industries need help building workforce skills
but lack the time and money to provide instructors, equipment, facilities, and materials to
educate their workers. Often, an organization needs only two or three employees trained in
a particular skill. Training providers must fill classes usually with 10 or more to break-even
on training, development, and delivery costs. The Shoals Industry-Education Alliance provides a
way to solve those problems through cooperation among employers and training providers.
The employers provide the problem -- employees who need training. Training providers deliver
the solution. For more information, please call SEDA at (256) 764-0351.
Shoals Manufacturers Association (SMA)
The Shoals Manufacturers Association (SMA) exists to promote existing businesses in the Shoals
area and foster better communications. The SMA positively supports SEDA in its efforts to enhance
the business climate of the Shoals. The Shoals Manufacturers Association maintains a functional,
results-oriented association responding to changing membership needs and provides a social base
where members can meet individually to share and exchange views where a common interest may exist.
The SMA also provides a meeting format of speakers, round tables, and forums as on-going management
programs on general subjects of value to the membership as a whole.
For more information, please call SEDA at (256) 764-0351.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
TVA's Economic Development Office offers a variety of services to existing industries in its power
service area. Among these are: Technical Services - Limited architectural and engineering
services, including site evaluation, conceptual design, market studies, economic analysis,
and freight rate studies; Economic Development Loan Fund Ð Loans are available for retention
and expansion projects. Rates and terms are negotiable. The loan amount is determined by the
number of jobs retained or created and power usage. Special loan funds are available for minority-owned industries.
TVA offers a variety of services through its power distributors. Comprehensive Services
include - Lighting design, HVAC studies, metering, power system analysis, energy audits,
product processing recommendations, food services, infrared scans, and ultrasonic testing.
For more information, please call David Anderson, (256) 386-3461.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Craig Linhoss
(256) 386-2162
University of North Alabama Small Business Center
The UNA-SBDC is a resource center where information, counseling, and assistance are coordinated
and disseminated to persons planning to start a small business or presently operating a small
business. The SBDC provides the education and training opportunities, which cover a wide range of business topics.
Research, both basic and applied, is available, giving the small businessperson more relevant data for decision-making.
The SBDC, acting as a clearinghouse, refers clients to other existing business programs, such as those
sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Defense, the Chamber of Commerce and
many educational institutions and private organizations.
Dr. Rick Lester, Director
University of North Alabama Small Business Center
Box 5248, Keller Hall
(256) 765-4629
FAX: (256) 765-4813
Florence, AL 35632-0001
Email:
University of North Alabama (UNA) Continuing Studies and Outreach
Human resources are the primary capital of any organization. With constant changes in our economy
and evolving regulatory requirements within every industry, public and private companies/organizations
are challenged to find and retain properly skilled workers. More and more, companies and organizations
are investing in the continuing education of their employees. The Continuing Education Office at the
University of North Alabama can help your employees develop and maintain those cutting-edge skills
needed within your industry. Whether through an individual course, certificate program, or a
seminar delivered at your work site, UNA is committed to helping your organization maintain
its competitive edge! Contact us for more information on helpful courses and seminars that
are designed with your company's needs in mind.
University of North Alabama (UNA) Continuing Studies and Outreach
(256) 765-5987
Waste Reduction and Technology Transfer (WRATT) Foundation
The WRATT Foundation is a 501c(3) not-for-profit foundation incorporated in the state of Alabama.
WRATT consultants, retired engineers, scientists, and other professionals, each having 30 to 40
years of experience, conduct FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, VOLUNTARY, and NON-REGULATORY on-site assessments
for business, industry, schools, and governmental entities. These assessments identify waste
and energy-use reduction opportunities as well as pollution prevention opportunities that
organizations can implement cost-effectively and with confidence.
(256) 248-0191
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