ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

SALES TEAM TRAINING SET FOR  ALEXANDER CITY SEPT. 2

ALEXANDER CITY---A one-day forum designed to encourage communication as part of a community's economic development program is set for Thursday, Sept. 2 at Aliant Bank in Alexander City. The training session begins at 8:30 a.m. and should end at 2:15 p.m.

The first prerequisite in building a community's sound economic development program is communication. There is a need for leaders, citizens and professionals to work together to plan successful economic growth that will be a permanent benefit to the community, says V. Wilson Lee, Extension economist emeritus with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Communities across the United States are becoming more and more aware of the need for new job creation as a source of tax revenue to meet demands for services. To be competitive in the attracting desirable new jobs and encouraging expansion of existing firms, Alabama's rural communities must enhance their proficiency in planning for economic development, and must adopt a professional approach in dealing with prospects.

Topics will cover the whole range of economic development--from educating the public on the need for growth to selling prime industrial prospects on the community.

Program speakers represent various fields, disciplines and philosophies. The ideas generated from their experiences and the discussion of those ideas should be useful in formulating realistic plans and practical strategies to address the community's problems and opportunities.

Speakers include V. Wilson Lee, Extension economist emeritus; Jim Scarbrough, project manager, Alabama Power Company, Birmingham; David Hutchison, project manager, Alabama Development Office, Montgomery; Larry Marrihew, vice president, Regions Financial Corporation, Mobile; Jane Fryer, executive director, LaGrange Area Chamber of Commerce, LaGrange, Ga.; and Bob Howard, manager, community development, Alabama Power Company, Birmingham.

Sponsors of the training session are The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, Alabama Power Company, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University.

For more information about the training contact Michelle Hurdle at

(334) 215-3725, Elaine Richie at (205) 257-3111 or V. Wilson Lee at

(334) 844-3684.