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DAPHNE, AL, May 8, 2012 - - The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce unveiled it’s new Blueprint for a Better Tomorrow Economic Development Strategic Plan during a press conference on Tuesday, May 8 at 8:30 am at the Scenic Overlook office.

The updated plan was developed over a four-month period by sixty influential community and elected officials, including those from the Cities of Daphne, Fairhope and Spanish Fort and Baldwin County. Also involved were higher education and company executives. The group received training during an Economic Development Summit last November that included speakers Robert Ingram, President of Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Seth Hammett, former speaker of the House, now VP for PowerSouth in Montgomery; Steve Sewell, Executive VP, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; Linda Swann, ADO Asst. Director, State of Alabama Development Office and Ed Castille, Exec. Management, Alabama Industrial Development Training.

The group was then facilitated through a brain storming session led by Bradley Byrne, who serves on the Chamber’s board of directors as Vice Chairman of Economic Development Council and Bob Higgins of BCEDA. A wide range of issues and action items were discussed that would move the Eastern Shore forward toward quality growth in the future. The group broke into four sub-committees, which met throughout the four-month period and researched the key issues of interest: aero space & high-tech manufacturing industries chair: Howard Hadley, Segers Aero Corporation; medical fields chair; Phil Cusa, PLC & Associates; film, music and entertainment industries, chair: Rick Chastain, Pro Equities; and IT technical support centers- Joe Davis, Daphne Industrial Board.

Unveiling the updated goals for the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce are: Bradley Byrne, Vice Chair of the ESCOC Economic Development Council; Phil Cusa, Chairman of the Board; Greg Strachan, Treasurer; Darrelyn Bender, President/ CEO and Bob Higgins of BCEDA.

“A plan is effective only if you are updating it on a regular basis. With the involvement of so many community leaders we were able to identify new and realistic goals to support our Blueprint for a Better Tomorrow Economic Development/Workforce Development portion,” said Cusa. “This will enable the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and our three cities to build a better Eastern Shore for BCEDA to sell.”

For more information call Kathie Barton 928-6387.