The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its intent to craft a five-year plan aimed at enhancing economic growth and quality of life.

Acknowledging, of course, that the Cullman area is in an economic growth period, chamber leaders, who represent a wide range of the business and professional community, is wanting others to join in their study and develop a direction for creating more opportunities for development and higher wages, among other topics. Included in this outreach is finding ways to continue to expand the quality of life through adding more amenities that draw families and professionals to the community.

Some of the intent in the plan is to ensure that the future workforce grows and has skills to meet the evolving needs of industry and business.

Many of the issues chamber President Leah Bolin discussed last week are commonly discussed in various circles across the community. Industrial leaders in the area have been overseeing steady expansions and want to be sure the pool of potential employees is both plentiful and able. Economic development officials in the city are working to identify the types of new businesses that would fill the needs of shoppers locally as well as those who commute to Cullman for clothing, food and other items. Others are interested in creating a more lucrative environment for new private investors. There is also a need for more entertainment and focus on the arts that draw visitors.

The undertaking proposed by the chamber will take a great deal of input and cooperation from various entities in the community. This is a great opportunity for a lot of ideas and concerns to come to the table and potentially accomplish a unified direction that ensures measured growth.

In the weeks ahead, more information will be coming forward about the plan. The timing is right for this community to establish longterm directions and put to use creative ideas that can produce measurable results. An important aspect of this proposal is that it’s not just about hatching ideas. This is an effort to put ideas into practice.