Education, workforce development take center stage at State of the Region

Madison County Commission Chairman Ronald ‘Rex’ Vaughn. and Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly both said education and workforce development are crucial in maintaining growth and population in North Alabama.

MADISON – Education and workforce development were preeminent topics at the Madison Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Region event at Toyota Field on Tuesday morning.

North Alabama school districts and higher education institutions are already experiencing historic growth.

Collectively, Madison City Schools, Madison County Schools, and Limestone County Schools serve nearly 50,000 students, and that number is projected to steadily increase.

In response to growth and overcrowding, the school districts have taken measures to expand. Madison City Schools opens its eighth elementary school, Russell Branch Elementary, and Madison County Schools opens the Sparkman Intermediate School this fall. Madison County Schools is planning to open another new school next year.

Limestone County Schools is prepared to add 10 classrooms, and auditorium, a new football field, and 50 parking spaces to East Limestone High School

At the same time, regional leaders face the challenge of managing growth without sacrificing standards. Madison County Chairman Ronald ‘Rex’ Vaughn and Limestone County Chairman Collin Daly say they are making that challenge a priority.

According to Vaughn and Daly, quality education and workforce development are crucial in maintaining growth and population in North Alabama.

“We’ve got to raise a workforce. Workforce is a big issue in this area, and the only way we’re going to get a workforce is to raise it,” said Daly. “You’ve got create a reason for the children to stay when they graduate when they go get higher education and come back to this area.”

Earlier this year, Drake State Community College launched a partnership with Boeing to train workers for advanced manufacturing careers and with Huntsville Hospital to offer nursing training. Additionally, North Alabama house Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, and University of Alabama in Huntsville.

“The workforce development aspect of our community is second to none,” said Vaughn. “We’ve got many opportunities in front of us.”

For Vaughn and Daly, success looks like keeping North Alabamians in North Alabama. Out of the 67 counties in the state, 47 are losing population due to the lack of job opportunities. Madison and Limestone Counties are exceptions.

“They don’t have the blessings of industry growth and high tech and defense and Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park, or Toyota Mazda. They don’t have the educational opportunities we have here in North Alabama,” said Vaughn. “We have to make sure that we are prioritizing what we’re already doing, continuing to do it well, to do it right.”

“The biggest thing is that we work hard every day to make Limestone County the best place to work, live, play, and most importantly, to raise a family. So, in 2035, I hope we’re still at that point. I think that’s the point that we need to be at is to keep that same charm, that same way,” said Daly.

Daly and Vaughn also emphasized infrastructure and public safety as priorities as the area grows.