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Community Heroes Series
From the April 2005 issue of Alabama Living magazine
Interview
by Kay Marshall
KM
for TEC: What are your goals for 2005?
Nelson: “My
primary goal is to provide leadership in the area of economic development,
and help create jobs for the people of our area. Also, here in Fayette
we’re working toward the completion of a major 1.9 million
dollar downtown revitalization project, to complete a 1.2 million
dollar expansion of our airport, and to renovate our historical
post office into a new city hall. Additionally, our long-term goals,
here in Fayette are to lobby for an N-S Freeway, and of course,
to continue striving to provide excellent quality of life and services
for the people of this community.”
KM
for TEC: What goals do you have for Fayette County?
Nelson:
“Overall, the goals we have for our county revolves around
the recruitment of new industry, and equally important - the retention
of existing business and industry. And, again, to lobby for an N-S
Freeway.”
KM
for TEC: What, in your opinion, is one of the obstacles
that prohibits our area communities from working together towards
a common goal?
Nelson: “In my opinion,
I believe that a super-highway is vital to enhance our efforts for
recruitment of industry. Also, Fayette needs a new industrial park
to aid us in our efforts to house potential incoming industry.”
KM
for TEC: What would be your solution for pulling the communities
together to work towards the task of job creation?
Nelson:
We need a regional coalition of county and city officials willing
to work together. Combine that with strong leadership and a strong
recruiter and our communities would have a much greater chance of
attracting new industry. Local support is crucial as well. We must
have local support in order for an active Economic Development Authority
to be successful. Northwest Alabamians should all continue to support
and commend the efforts of our economic development leaders; which
in our area is WAEDA (West Alabama Economic Development
Authority), which covers Fayette, Lamar, and Pickens Counties.
You can visit
their website at www.westalabamaeda.org.”
KM
for TEC: What is Fayette's greatest asset?
Nelson: “Without question,
it’s community pride. Fayette has an excellent quality of life
components such as our civic center, art museum, festivals, and
our city park. We also have a great work ethic, and a great work
force who are ready to work. Our strong school systems are also
a major aspect that contributes to Fayette’s strength. Our
schools make use of advanced technology, and we have high test scores
from our student. For example, Fayette Middle School was recognized
as one of the two top middle schools in the area of technology in
the country by PC Magazine, and we’re really proud of that.”
KM
for TEC: Any additional comments for our readers?
Nelson: “I’d
like to also mention that Fayette has a very strong health care
system with world class doctors, like Dr. John Morrison. Dr. Morrison
introduced laproscopic surgery in the medical field.”
Kay
Marshall is the Internet Projects Coordinator and Editor for TEC
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