Target Industries in Chambers County, Alabama

Current trends and economic factors indicate that the U.S. can expect a revival in domestic manufacturing. Shifting dynamics, both domestically and overseas, are leading more manufacturers to reconsider the U.S. as the optimal location for operations. Declining global wages differentials, rising transportation costs, complex supply chains, and advancing technologies are all helping to make U.S. sites more attractive for manufacturers.

The Diversified Demand Manufacturing industry target is comprised of two major groups:

1. A select group of manufactures anticipated to experience growth over the next five years, with products that serve a diverse customer base across multiple sectors.
2. Downstream manufactures that will benefit from Chambers County’s existing specialization in Forestry/Wood Products.

The Diversified Demand Manufacturing industry target focuses on manufacturers in less venerable environments due to broad customer diversification and/or strong supply chains.

Target Rationales (Prospect, Community):

• Availability of forest products (P)
• Availability of relevant training in the region. (P)
• Manufacturing heritage, local industrial and occupational specialization (P)
• Current highly specialized Forest & Wood Products industrial cluster. (P)
• Positive five-year projected growth of industry targets, averaging 14 percent. (C)
• Lower relative labor costs (P)
• Industry target average annual wages of $64,040; 114 percent above Chambers County’s private industry average.(C)
• Availability of fully served and attractive industrial sites. (P)
• Reasonably priced industrial sites. (P)
• Lack of manufacturing union activity. (P)
• Central location; interstate access, within a one day’s drive to over 45 million people, dual rail providers, commercial air transportation nearby (P)
• Sizeable existing occupation pool in many key high-demand positions. (P)
• Community assets: low cost of housing (P)
• Within 1/2 hour of major university/college. (P)

The demographic target for first year college graduates and new families is abundant as Chambers County continues to grow and become an ideal location for first time homeowners. The cost of living is significantly less than surrounding areas and the ease of location to the heavily centralized downtown areas is critical.

At the same time the population aged 85 and older is expected to grow at about three times the national population growth rate due to advances in medical care and increasing length of life. Future demand will be for facilities with technological advances and new architectural designs in semi-rural locations (albeit close to large population centers). The presence of skilled healthcare workers, and support facilities will be critical.

Chambers County’s central location and strong infrastructural assets support Logistics & Warehousing as an optimal target. The target comprises the full vertical range of participating industries; trucking, storage, packaging and consulting services. The target presents the opportunity to leverage the rapid transformation and changing needs for reliable delivery of services and products occurring in global logistics and supply chain management.

Logistics & Warehousing is projected to benefit from the increase in U.S. manufacturing activity, developing global markets, and rise of consumer spending with the eventual return to a post-recession economy.

Target Rationales (Prospect, Community):

• Central location; interstate access, within a one day’s drive to over 45 million people, dual rail providers, commercial air transportation nearby (P)
• Positive five-year projected growth of industry targets, averaging 1.4 percent. (C)
• Lower relative labor costs (P)
• Logistics and Materials Management bachelor’s degree program, Auburn University (P)
• Industry target average annual wages of $53,619; 79 percent above Chambers County’s private industry average.(C)
• Availability of fully served and attractive industrial sites. (P)
• Reasonably priced industrial sites. (P)
• Sizeable existing occupation pool in some key high-demand positions. (P)
• Community assets: low cost of housing (P)
• Within 1/2 hour of major university/college. (P)

The Food Manufacturing target takes advantage of Chambers County’s strong manufacturing specialization and history with the rapidly transforming food industry. New niche products, industry consolidations, and changing consumer tastes drive this target. The growth in specialty food products is significant, for example: organics, ready-to-eat, private label, health, age-awareness, and ethic selections.

A manufacturing-experienced workforce, central location, available water/sewer, and labor cost advantages all support Chambers County as an ideal location for this target. The Food Manufacturing target comprises a diverse group of sub-sectors with positive projected growth and above average earnings.

Target Rationales (Prospect, Community):

• Water capacity & service to sites (P)
• Availability of wastewater treatment capacity. (P)
• Manufacturing heritage, local industry and occupational specialization (P)
• Positive five-year projected growth of industry targets, averaging 4 percent. (C)
• Lower relative labor costs (P)
• Industry target average annual earnings of $55,570; 86 percent above Chambers County’s private industry average.(C)
• Availability of fully served and attractive industrial sites. (P)
• Reasonably priced industrial sites. (P)
• Lack of manufacturing union activity. (P)
• Central location; interstate access, within a one day’s drive to over 45 million people, dual rail providers, commercial air transportation nearby (P)
• Sizeable existing occupation pool in some key high-demand positions. (P)
• Community assets: low cost of housing (P)
• Within 1/2 hour of major university/college. (P)