Pike, Barbour and Bullock counties, in southeast Alabama, are located in an area known as the wood basket of the state and the bass capital of the world — parts of this region’s rich agricultural base.
This area is home to strong and varied economic sectors that range from aerospace, aviation, marine electronics and information technology to trucking, automotive suppliers and plastics. Higher education is a key sector here, also, as Pike County is home to Troy University.
“This diversity is one of the reasons that our economy stays so stable, ” says Marsha Gaylard, president and CEO of the Pike County Economic Development Corp.
Counties also work hard to improve the quality of life for their residents. Troy, for example, has a new library with the old facility repurposed as a business incubator. Eufaula, in Barbour County, has a new senior center and is building a walking trail. Bullock County is improving parks and adding playing fields. A new health department facility is also under way in Bullock County.
Publix will anchor a new retail development in Troy and a Montgomery developer has purchased 300 acres for a mixed-use project that will include residential, commercial and retail. This new development is near Troy Regional Medical Center, and a new road network will connect the development to the Troy Sportsplex.
In Barbour County, where Lake Eufaula hosts dozens of bass tournaments each year, the city of Eufaula is in the midst of improvement projects, including grant-funded rehabilitation for 20 homes.
All of the counties’ school systems are heavily involved in workforce development through partnerships between higher education and local industry.
Lori Chandler Pruitt is a freelance writer for Business Alabama. She lives in Birmingham.
Text by Lori Chandler Pruitt