Opelika Gets High Marks For Economic Development

Beverly Harvey
Staff Writer

Published: March 27, 2009

A recent study grading Opelika an “A-plus” for its potential to attract new companies and industries will be used to help plan the city’s economic future, Mayor Gary Fuller said Friday.

The $35,000 assessment, approved by the Opelika City Council in November, was conducted by Atlanta-based Competitive Strategies Group to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the city’s economic opportunities.

A summary of the final report, noting 79 strengths and three challenges, was presented by firm President Jay Garner at the council’s work session Tuesday.

The level of crime, one of the challenges, was reported incorrectly to the FBI by the city, Garner said.

“Next year should be close to normal,” he said, after the mayor told him the error had been corrected.

The other challenges were availability of local venture capital, or investment funds, for start up businesses and availability of “suitable” office space.

Additional office space will be provided by TigerTown Corporate Park on Interstate Drive, Fuller said. The 140- acre site will house corporate and doctors’ offices, among others, developer David Scott, Scott Land Company president said.

Among the city’s strengths were availability of postsecondary vocational training, condition and maintenance of streets, attractiveness of physical environment and quality of restaurants.
Garner also recommended the city target industries like distribution/warehousing/storage; shared services/call centers/data services; scientific research and development; and food processing/
manufacturing.

Adding food processing and manufacturing companies “will provide a counterbalance to being heavy in the automotive supply” industry, Garner said.

On Friday, Fuller said the automotive industry would continue to be a possible economic option for the city.