ULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Council President Kim Hall hopes her participation in a new North Alabama leadership program will lead to partnerships and ideas she can bring back to the council for consideration.
Hall is one of four Cullman County participants in the inaugural class of The Exchange, a nine-month Launch Regional Partnership program supported by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The class brings together 29 leaders from 13 North Alabama counties for five sessions across the region.
“I believe our communities can accomplish far more together than independently,” Hall said.
The opening session took place Sept. 22-23 in Decatur and Morgan County. The University of North Alabama’s Office of Regional Engagement developed and is delivering the program, which includes discussions, site visits and opportunities for participants to learn from one another.
Joining Hall in the class are Cullman County Commissioner Kelly Duke, Cullman Regional Airport Director Ben Harrison and Wallace State Community College Dean of Applied Technologies Jerry Murcks.
Hall said the program’s emphasis on cooperation across North Alabama drew her interest. She wants to learn from neighboring communities and find ways Cullman’s businesses and industries can connect with opportunities elsewhere in the region.
A visit to United Launch Alliance in Trinity reinforced that connection, she said. Hall said she was impressed by the reach of the company’s work and its impact beyond the facility itself.
“Major industries create opportunities for suppliers, businesses, and workers across the region,” Hall said. “For Cullman, the lesson is to recognize how our assets complement those of neighboring communities and how regional partnerships can create opportunities that benefit everyone.”
The opening session’s subjects included tourism, health care, workforce training and entrepreneurship. Hall said their connections stood out to her because each affects economic growth and quality of life.
“Rather than viewing these areas through individual community boundaries, we should look for ways to capitalize on our collective strengths, support one another, and create opportunities that benefit the entire region and state,” Hall said.
With four local participants, Hall hopes the program will help strengthen partnerships within Cullman County as well as across county lines.
She said she is interested in connecting local businesses and industries with broader opportunities and identifying priorities the participants can pursue together.
“My hope is that these relationships continue well beyond the program and lead to meaningful collaboration,” Hall said. “Ultimately, it’s about moving from strategic thinking to strategic planning and, most importantly, strategic ‘doing.’”
Hall said the City of Cullman paid her registration fee and she personally covers her travel expenses.
She plans to bring relevant ideas, successful practices and potential partnerships to fellow council members for consideration.
“My goal is to bring back actionable opportunities that align with Cullman’s priorities and strengthen our role as a regional partner,” Hall said.
