Economic development often starts with reports. Budgets, zoning laws, workforce stats. It looks clean on paper. But in the real world, no two communities are alike. Each one has its own story, needs, and rhythm.
That became clear after spending time in every single one of Alabama’s 67 counties. Not just once. More than 25 times in each. That’s how you see the real picture. You can’t guess from behind a desk. You have to go.
“You learn more walking a main street than reviewing a file,” said Nicole Wadsworth Alabama. “You see what’s working, what’s broken, and what people care about.”
This approach, focused on presence and listening, changes how local growth is planned and carried out.
What You See When You Show Up
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Patterns That Don’t Show in Data
Some towns have beautiful downtowns but no grocery store. Others have strong schools but no nearby jobs. One might be sitting on acres of unused land. Another may have a high number of veterans who can’t access services.
This kind of information rarely makes it into spreadsheets. But it shapes everything.
In one county, a town was trying to bring in a manufacturing partner. On paper, it had enough workers. In reality, those workers had no way to get to the site. A lack of public transport made hiring nearly impossible.
“No one had asked how people were supposed to get there,” Wadsworth recalled. “Until we sat down with a group of residents.”
This led to a vanpool program that helped the business meet its hiring goals.
Listening Uncovers Hidden Strengths
In another county, an abandoned school building was seen as a problem. But after a walk-through with former students and teachers, a new idea formed. That space could become a training centre. It was centrally located, already had plumbing and wiring, and had room for workshops.
It’s now being used for job skills programs in welding and healthcare.
When people are asked what’s possible, they often have the best ideas. They just don’t get asked often enough.
What the Numbers Say
While the approach is local, the challenges are statewide.
- 44 of Alabama’s 67 counties are considered economically distressed.
- 1 in 6 residents faces food insecurity.
- In many rural areas, job loss, school closures, and healthcare gaps are common.
But there’s also opportunity:
- Alabama ranks among the top 5 states for business investment, with over $10 billion in new manufacturing deals since 2020.
- Many smaller towns have available land, strong work ethics, and local leaders ready to act.
The question is how to match those assets with long-term planning that fits the town, not just the funders.
What This Means for Local Planning
Ask Before You Act
Before writing a grant or submitting a plan, spend time in the community. Hold small meetings. Visit schools, churches, businesses, and homes.
People are more likely to support a project when they’ve had a voice in shaping it.
Start Small and Build Trust
You don’t need to launch a $5 million project on day one. Maybe the fix is repairing sidewalks. Or cleaning up a park. Or funding a local food pantry.
These small wins build momentum. They show residents that promises lead to results.
“In one town, we started with street lighting,” Wadsworth said. “Now that same street has new signage, small shops reopening, and a weekend farmers market.”
It started with a single request: “Can we make this feel safe again?”
Repurpose What You Have
Empty buildings are everywhere. So are unused lots, abandoned schools, and old grocery stores. With the right plan, they can be turned into job centres, health hubs, or co-working spaces.
Communities don’t always need something new. They need to rethink what they already have.
What Other Counties Can Learn
You don’t need to visit 67 counties to start thinking differently. You just need to spend real time in your own.
Step 1: Walk the Town
Block off two hours. Walk the business district. Visit the fire station. Talk to store owners. Don’t ask for anything. Just listen.
You’ll hear stories you won’t find in reports.
Step 2: Meet Residents Where They Are
Skip the large forums. Start with kitchen tables. Church basements. Break rooms.
People open up more when the setting feels familiar.
Step 3: Find a Quick Win
Look for something you can fix in 90 days. A sign. A crosswalk. A job fair. Even a coat drive.
Follow through. Then share what happened.
Step 4: Build a Longer Plan Together
Once trust is built, you can work on bigger efforts like housing, transport, and job development. But let the community lead the conversation.
“Growth lasts longer when it comes from the people who live there,” Wadsworth said.
Final Thoughts
Visiting all 67 counties didn’t provide a single master plan. It revealed 67 different paths.
Each community has its own problems and its own potential. The trick is listening long enough to know which is which.
When people feel seen, they get involved. When they get involved, things change.
That’s the kind of local growth that sticks. Not because someone brought in a big idea. But because someone finally asked what the town already knew.