Calhoun County (AL) – Innovate Alabama forms a Council on Outdoor Recreation in order to expand, promote, and protect Alabama’s outdoor recreation landscape. Alabama leaders intend to use the state’s outdoor recreation assets as an innovative economic development asset.
The Council on Outdoor Recreation was established by Innovate Alabama to provide advice to the board of directors on strategies to reach three main goals: to expand Alabama’s outdoor recreation industry, to increase the state’s appeal for skilled workers, and to yield substantial returns to both rural and urban communities to the enjoyment of current Alabamians and future Alabamians.
The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable, which consists of 19 stakeholders from diverse regions and outdoor recreation areas, supports the Council. The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable met for the first meeting on Wednesday, November 30, and will make recommendations regarding the use of Alabama’s recreational resources as economic development tools. The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable is made up of some of the state’s most respected outdoor recreation experts. It will provide strategic recommendations on how outdoor recreation can be applied to improve Alabamians’ quality-of-life and support economic development in rural communities and cities. “We are delighted to welcome these advisory members, who will ensure all regions and outdoor recreation sectors of the state have a seat at our table as we create these recommendations.”
Innovate Alabama teamed up with Dr. Condoleezza rice, an Alabama native, and Stanford University’s Hoover Institution in 2021 to carry out extensive research that would foster a strong, inclusive economy and propel Alabama forward. The final report of this research highlighted the potential to use Alabama’s natural resources for innovators. Thus, the Council on Outdoor Recreation was created.
A thriving business ecosystem must be holistic. It takes into account the interests, hobbies, and well-being entrepreneurs and their families. Alabama’s landscape diversity and outdoor recreation opportunities are two of the reasons people start businesses here. AppThink CEO Kellie Clark and member of the roundtable said that Alabama’s natural resources are a real advantage, which helps us retain and recruit top talent. “As an outdoor enthusiast, and an advocate for innovation, I am proud that I can serve alongside subject matter experts who are focused on creating inclusive, thoughtful solution through the lense of outdoor recreation, which will enrich our innovation ecosystem.”
Innovate Alabama will leverage the state’s entire outdoor resources such as state and local parks, landscape diversity, and other natural resources in order to highlight and cultivate Alabama’s unique assets. These assets are what make Alabama unique and will be used to attract entrepreneurs from all walks of the business world, including out-of-state talent as well as local talent.
John Kvach (Executive Director of Singing River Trail, roundtable member) said that “We are seeing great successes by aligning innovation and our outdoor recreation efforts.” “Alabama’s unique outdoor environment and outdoor recreation assets allow us to strengthen the regional bonds between rural communities and create an innovative ecosystem that thrives in every state.
The following members of the Council on Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable and the Council on Outdoor Recreation are
* Chris Blankenship (Commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) (Council Chair).
* Bill Poole, Chair of Innovate Alabama Board Of Directors
* Peter Inge (Private Sector Representative, CFO NXTsoft)
* Darrell Ezell is a Hudson Alpha representative for the private sector and director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion.
Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable
* Amy Rauworth is Chief of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Lakeshore Foundation
* Sen. Andrew Jones, Alabama State Senate, District 10
* Chris Oberholster is the Development Director at Alabama Audubon
* Emile Hughes, co-founder, Ride Resorts
* Fred Couch, Jr., founder, Alabama Scenic River Trails
* Graham Sisson is the Chairman of Alabama Trails Commission
* Mayor Jack Tibbs City of Eufaula
* John Kvach Executive Director, Singing River Trail
* Kellie Clark, CEO of AppThink
* Kruis Retherford is President of Glasstream Powerboats
* Rep. Kyle South (Alabama House of Representatives), District 16
* Michael Norman, REI Store Manager
* Phillip West, City of Orange Beach, Coastal Resources Manager
* Preston Cauthen is the Community Relations Manager at Alabama Power
* Rick Oates, State Forester, Alabama Forestry Commission
* Rusha Smith, Executive director, Freshwater Land Trust
* Themika Sims Director, Graham Farm
* Tim Lindblom is the Dean of Jacksonville State University College of Mathematics and Science
* Tim Wood, General Manager, Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative
Please direct inquiries about the Council on Outdoor Recreation and Advisory Roundtable to info@innovatealabama.org.
Innovate Alabama
Innovate Alabama, Alabama’s first public-private partnership, is a state-wide effort to promote entrepreneurship, technology and innovation. The board was established December 2021 to carry out the recommendations and initiatives of the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report. It will also implement forward-thinking policies to create an economy that is more resilient, inclusive, and strong to stay competitive in a 21st-century world. The board of directors for Innovate Alabama consists of 11 ex-officio members and at-large innovator leaders who were appointed by Governor. Ivey works across industries to promote innovation, drive technology, and foster entrepreneurship. Learn more about Innovate Alabama atwww.innovatealabama.org.
