New EDC Director Praised by County Leaders, Board

By Michael Mee/For The Leeds News

Recently the St. Clair County Economic Development Council (SCCEDC) named Don Smith the Executive Director of their organization after he had served the organization as the Interim Director since the resignation of Ed Gardner, Jr. in September.

The SCCEDC board, which is composed of five members from throughout St. Clair County, voted unanimously to make his position permanent.

“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the SCCEDC, but this organization is larger than just one person. It has been constructed over the last decade by the hard work of Ed Gardner, Sr. and Ed Gardner, Jr. as well as all the community leaders of St. Clair County,” said Smith. “I believe we have one of the best staffs in the state and we will continue to focus our efforts on the foundation of what makes a community prosperous.”

The SCCEDC is a public-private, non-profit organization tasked with creating new jobs, increasing the tax base and improving the quality of life for St. Clair County citizens. The organization began in 1998 and has taken part in bringing over $400 million in capital investment to St. Clair County through industrial and commercial development.

During his time at the SCCEDC, Smith has served as the Assistant Director of the organization and managed projects such as WKW Erbsloeh in Pell City, RainBird in Steele, the iCademy workforce development project on the Jefferson State Community College Campus, and a number of local industry expansions.

“Over the last month, we have been very happy with the transition,” said Tommy Bowers, Chairman of SCCEDC Board. Don has taken the ball and run with it, so we could not be more confident that the Economic Development Council will continue to create jobs and revenue for our county.”

Real Estate investor and SCCEDC board member Lyman Lovejoy said, “Under Don’s leadership, the Economic Development Council will continue on its path to encourage development in St. Clair County without missing a beat. As a new face for the organization, we already see him making fresh connections with local community leaders to help them in the current economic times.”

Since their five-year strategic plan was developed in 2007, the SCCEDC has already hit most of its targets.

Some examples include their participation in the Icademy program, a partnership that will develop our county’s workforce and increase opportunities for retraining.

The EDC is also involved in the identification of a potential technology park site on the I-59 corridor, along with the imminent construction of the Veteran’s Nursing Home and replacement hospital on their property in Pell City. The SCCEDC will continue as usual during this transition on these and many other projects.

“Making Don the Executive Director of the SCCEDC was the logical decision. I have no doubt that the SCCEDC will continue its path toward success in the St. Clair County community,” Joe Kelly, another SCCEDC Board Member, said.

SCCEDC Board Member Dana Webb said that Smith has the means to get things done. “I feel with the experience Don and the SCCEDC staff possess, we have all the tools to continue being a very successful organization.”

Board member Drew Goolsby said Smith was the clear choice to furhter the SCCEDC’s goals. “Don was the obvious choice as he has the skill and knowledge to keep economic development, in St. Clair County on the right track. I have no doubt that Don will do a great job as the SCCEDC Executive Director. I am proud for Don and expect that we will see some great things from him in the future. He has a great staff to support him and he is promoting the greatest jewel in the state of Alabama, St. Clair County,”

St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon said his is behind Smith 100-percent. “The SCCEDC board has my full support in naming Don Smith as the Executive Director. [The] organization is an asset to St. Clair County and we feel it will continue to assist us in our efforts to create jobs, increase our tax base and improve the quality of life for St. Clair County residents. With the current projects we have on line, the future of St. Clair County is bright and I believe Don will continue to help in bringing more projects like these on board to further the advancement of St. Clair County.”

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