Cramer touts economic partnerships

At chamber event, calls state lines 'artificial barriers'

Friday, July 30, 2004

By MARIAN ACCARDI

Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer on Thursday praised the efforts of Tennessee Valley businesses and agencies that are working together to benefit the region.

"We have come a long way. We have changed the way we think," the Huntsville Democrat said in his Washington Update luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. "State lines and county lines are artificial barriers to economic development."

The Tennessee Valley Corridor Inc., an economic development organization that sponsors summits bringing together representatives from across the region, recently received the U.S. Department of Commerce's 2004 Excellence in Economic Development Award in the category of enhancing regional competitiveness. It shares first-place honors with North Carolina's Research Triangle Partnership in that category.

Cramer said the summits have been successful and have allowed the region "to create strong, effective partnerships and new economic initiatives to further strengthen the corridor area." Cramer hosted the Tennessee Valley Corridor's May 2003 summit in Huntsville.

One such initiative resulting from the corridor's efforts is the development of the Tri-Lateral Alliance for cooperation among NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma and the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 defense plant.

Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, gave updates at the luncheon on several appropriations bills that have passed that committee.

Also, Lisa Williams, founder and president of 3D Research Corp. in Huntsville, was recognized by Cramer and Michael Ricks, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Williams was among 15 female entrepreneurs in May recognized for their business success during an SBA expo in Orlando. Williams was among 10 honorees in the 2004 Celebrating Women in Business Awards program. There were five national winners.

Williams was also named Small Business Person of the Year for Alabama.

She "represents the personality of this community," Cramer said during the presentation.




Cramer touts economic partnerships At chamber event, calls state lines 'artificial barriers' Friday, July 30, 2004 By MARIAN ACCARDI Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer on Thursday praised the efforts of Tennessee Valley businesses and agencies that are working together to benefit the region. "We have come a long way. We have changed the way we think," the Huntsville Democrat said in his Washington Update luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. "State lines and county lines are artificial barriers to economic development." The Tennessee Valley Corridor Inc., an economic development organization that sponsors summits bringing together representatives from across the region, recently received the U.S. Department of Commerce's 2004 Excellence in Economic Development Award in the category of enhancing regional competitiveness. It shares first-place honors with North Carolina's Research Triangle Partnership in that category. Cramer said the summits have been successful and have allowed the region "to create strong, effective partnerships and new economic initiatives to further strengthen the corridor area." Cramer hosted the Tennessee Valley Corridor's May 2003 summit in Huntsville. One such initiative resulting from the corridor's efforts is the development of the Tri-Lateral Alliance for cooperation among NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma and the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 defense plant. Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, gave updates at the luncheon on several appropriations bills that have passed that committee. Also, Lisa Williams, founder and president of 3D Research Corp. in Huntsville, was recognized by Cramer and Michael Ricks, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Williams was among 15 female entrepreneurs in May recognized for their business success during an SBA expo in Orlando. Williams was among 10 honorees in the 2004 Celebrating Women in Business Awards program. There were five national winners. Williams was also named Small Business Person of the Year for Alabama. She "represents the personality of this community," Cramer said during the presentation. Copyright 2004 al.com. All Rights Reserved.