Chamber event celebrates industry leaders, growth
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Industry Appreciation event Thursday at Cotton Creek Warehouse, bringing together business leaders and local and state officials.
The theme of the night was the celebration of the significant growth Cullman County saw during 2023. Speakers bragged on the area’s economic development and championed the community’s hard-working individuals who work toward the progress of Cullman County.
Speakers included Chamber President Joey Orr; Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman; Cullman County Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons; Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs; Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell; Cullman County Economic Development Director Matt Kinsland; and Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer.
Each praised Cullman’s progress and commitment to evolving and adapting to a growing population. In 2023, Cullman County saw expansions of 28 businesses in the industrial and logistics industries.
“The (Alabama) Department of Commerce tracks job creation and capital investment every year. Cullman County set a record in 2023 for a new capital investment of $488,997,600,” Greer said. “The companies that were included in that resulted in the creation of 643 new jobs.”
Greer championed Cullman County’s progress, saying approximately 5,300 jobs and $1.7 billion in revenue have been brought into the economy over the past decade by new businesses enticed by the rapidly growing area.
Jacobs and Clemons shared the spotlight, each thanking the other for a healthy partnership that keeps the wheels of the city and county moving smoothly.
“We believe that a lot of the success comes from support that we as elected officials, along with a lot of folks, our departments and our industrial boards, our utilities our education, our financial institutions and the business community – all of that goes into making this successful,” said Jacobs. “The City and the County truly work together and that benefits all of us.”
The County and City have had to work in harmony together more often in recent months. Jacobs pointed out that roadways were paved and repaired through 40% of the city and 60% of the county in 2023. He also mentioned the repair of the sinkhole along County Road 222.
Clemons followed Jacobs with his own praise for the teamwork that is often displayed throughout the community and extends to industry workers and elected/appointed officials.
“I want to say one thing – we have great leadership across Cullman County, and I’ve been part of that for three years and I can’t thank Mayor Woody Jacobs for all he does in the city of Cullman, but like everybody says – and I guess people get tired of hearing me say, ‘It’s a team effort.’ We’re not going to be successful if we don’t work together,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here. I’m honored to be here because we live in one of the best counties in Alabama.”
Kinsland expressed his gratitude for the working relationships and teamwork that have been created and fostered by the growth Cullman has seen in recent years – from coming together to snag funding for Sprout Fiber Internet to simple comradery among residents.
“I look out at this crowd and it’s a testament to private partnerships that we have in this community; it’s like nothing else in the state. We are so blessed as a community to have that,” Kinsland said. “There are a lot of communities that look to us and wish that they could have that and emulate that. I’m just thankful to be a part of that community.”
Orr thanked industry leaders for supporting Cullman County and enriching the economy and community. She said none of what has been accomplished would be possible without their help.
Addressing them directly, she said, “The industry – it’s about you tonight. We mentioned a lot of elected officials, but it’s about you. You all do so much to make this place a wonderful place to live, work and play. So, thank you for choosing Cullman, staying in Cullman and for making this place a wonderful place to live. Congratulations on the success of your companies.”
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