The PARTNERSHIP between Montgomery and Greenville yields POSITIVE RESULTS
Greenville Mayor Dexter McClendon believes a close partnership with Montgomery city leaders has impacted Greenville citizens in a great way.
This oft-quoted sentiment is an appropriate and concise way to highlight the beneficial impact that Montgomery has on its smaller neighboring communities. Time and time again, the benefits that come with economic development in the capital city have spilled over into nearby cities as well. Case in point: Greenville, Alabama, 45 miles due south of Montgomery. Greenville (population 7,900) and Butler County can trace thousands of jobs directly to their proximity to and relationship with Montgomery, as Greenville Mayor Dexter McClendon explained.
The three suppliers combined (Washin, Hyundai Steel and AIA) employ more than 1,000 people and account for more than 8 percent of the Butler County workforce. “Washin is the largest, with 830 employees. But in addition to the jobs created, their taxes help our school system, and the companies have been very supportive of our community in other ways as well,” said McClendon.
And just like HMMA drew the supply compa-nies to meet its needs, the suppliers them-selves attract other companies to work with them, like a trucking company that located in Greenville. “It’s a real snowball effect,” McClendon said.
It has rolled on and on and grown into a massive positive. Thanks to HMMA’s decision to locate in Montgomery, the number of jobs created in and around Greenville (both directly and indirectly) is approaching 2,000, including around 200 people who drive to Hope Hull to work at HMMA.
This impact can’t be overstated, according to McClendon. “I hate to think where we would be as a town and county if Hyundai had not come,” he said.
But he didn’t just sit back and rely on Montgomery officials to make everything happen. One of his more innovative ideas definitely played a role in the city landing the suppliers. “We put a billboard up at Montgomery’s Southern Boulevard, a spot that Hyundai execs would have to go past when staying downtown, that said: ‘Welcome Hyundai! We [Greenville] are open for business!’ We got a lot of press out of that,” he said.
While Greenville’s proactive approach was important, McClendon pointed out that a close partnership with Montgomery leaders was – and still is – key. “It is all about relationships and looking at the big picture and how those relationships help Greenville citizens and make my job easier,” he said. “Mayor Strange is a great leader. I have learned a lot from him.” And like any good relationship, there’s give and take, and Greenville is reciprocating.
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange echoed McClendon and identified other ways Greenville and Montgomery work together. “Greenville has been a valuable part of the Camellia Bowl as a member of the Central Alabama Sports Commission,” he said. “Mayor McClendon, along with other River Region mayors, is a part of that.”
He also stressed the importance of forming and maintaining relationships that are built on give-and-take and on open communication. “I see all our River Region communities as partners,” he said. “Not a week goes by that we are not talking with someone. We all work together for benefit of all.”
McClendon agreed with his colleague and friend. “We are not in competition with Montgomery,” he said. “We embrace how close we are and what we can do for each other. That is why we as a city are members of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.”
A FEW FACTS:
Three suppliers combined (Washin, Hyundai Steel and AIA) employ more than 1,000 people and account for more than 8 percent of the Butler County workforce.
The number of jobs created in and around Greenville (both directly and indirectly) is approaching 2,000.
Around 200 people from Greenville drive to Hope Hull to work at HMMA.
85% of the jobs in the River Region are in Montgomery, but the city draws people from all over the area to ?ll these jobs, providing an impact that positively affects the entire region.
