Photo courtesy of Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
Twenty local leaders participated in the Shelby County Washington, D.C., Fly-In, seen here with U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, center.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and 58 INC. held the inaugural Shelby County Washington, D.C., Fly-In on Oct. 23.
A delegation of 20 local leaders across the public and private sector made the trip to discuss Shelby County opportunities. The program was planned by the chamber’s Governmental Affairs Work Group and included a breakfast with the Alabama Congressional Delegation and individual meetings with Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Doug Jones and Congressman Gary Palmer’s staff.
The chamber and 58 INC. worked with key business and government stakeholders on building consensus on several issues and projects important to Shelby County’s continued growth: workforce development, infrastructure and access to broadband for all citizens.
“We appreciate the business and community leaders who took time from their schedules to join us on this first Fly-In event. The opportunity to discuss these matters with our federal delegation — and most importantly their key staffers — will be extremely valuable to our businesses and communities here in Shelby County,” Kirk Mancer, president and CEO of the chamber said. “Speaking with one voice and collaborating with our partners at 58 INC. ensures that those representing us up in Washington know what is needed for our continued positive growth.”
58 INC. Managing Director Yvonne Murray also shared the importance of the trip: “As one of Alabama’s highest growth counties, it is increasingly important that we maintain strong relationships with all of our representatives and their staff in Washington, D.C., in order to ensure that our growing needs are known and advocated for. We also feel that it is valuable for them to see the healthy relationships shared among our public, private and nonprofit groups. We are fortunate to have a well-aligned community with leaders across all sectors that work together to ensure that we grow in a healthy, sustainable way.”
Submitted by Jackson Pruett.
