Abilene Industrial Foundation
The Abilene Industrial Foundation (AIF) is an agency of the Abilene
Chamber of Commerce, working under contract to the Development Corporation
of Abilene (DCOA). The AIF is responsible for site selection assistance,
marketing, and existing business retention/expansion, and is a source
of comprehensive information for expanding the relocating business.
2007-2008 Abilene Industrial Foundation Board
of Directors
| Norm Archibald |
Ray Ferguson |
Jim Rose |
| Neomia Banks |
Gary Galbraith |
John Russell |
| Grady Barr |
Woody Gilliland |
Butch Shuman |
| Jim Barr |
Larry Hall |
Kris Seale |
| Yvonne Batts |
Jackie Hamilton |
Bill Senter |
| Charles Black |
Valentin Hernandez |
Scott Senter |
| Greg Blair |
Seaton Higginbotham |
John Snapp |
| Gray Bridwell |
Fred Lee Hughes |
Bob Surovik |
| Tucker Bridwell |
David Jones |
Randy Teakell |
| John Brogan |
Gayle Kiger |
Jimmy Tittle |
| Paul Brower |
Kelly Kinard |
James Webster |
| Richard Burdine |
Bill King |
Cleve Whitener |
| Ron Butler |
Marla Knight |
H.C. Zachry |
| Paul Cannon |
Tim Lancaster |
|
| Tony Conder |
Peter Lauve |
|
| Dave Copeland |
Jim Leonard |
|
| Joe Crawford |
Ken Liles |
|
| Troy Cummins |
Raymond McDaniel, Jr. |
|
| Celia Davis |
Mike McMahan |
|
| Mike Denny |
Jim McNeer |
|
| Scott Deuser |
Royce Money |
|
| Mike Dunnahoo |
Mike Murphy |
|
| Carol Dupree |
Jim Newcomb |
|
| Billy Edwards |
Charlie Pigeon |
|
| Bill Ehrie |
David Polnick |
|
| Brian Etchison |
Jack Rentz |
|
| Steve Fehr |
Vicki Reynolds |
|
|
Abilene Industrial
Foundation
2007-2008 Business
Plan
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MISSION
The mission of the AIF continues to be to create employment opportunities
and grow the tax base for the citizens of our community. We are also
charged with ensuring the interests of the community regarding Dyess
AFB, the State School, TDCJ, TSTC, MHMR, HHS and other state/federal
entities which are monitored on a regular basis. This is accomplished
in cooperation and coordination with the Chamber, City, County, and
Development Corporation of Abilene.
I'm
sure many of us have heard the phrase "He who fails to plan, plans to
fail". This is at the heart of the needs of our community for the next
twelve months and beyond. The Abilene Industrial Foundation (AIF) continues
to advocate and implement ideas necessary for our community to complete
if we are to have a strong economy in the City and region. The following
issues will be guiding factors if we are to be successful:
The
infrastructure of the community needs to be revitalized and maintained
if we are to attract new industry. Recently approved bond issues are
the initial stages of achieving this goal. Our water resources, streets,
water / sewage lines, power grids, building inventory and transportation
networks, to include the airport, all need to meet the expectations
of industry in the 21 st century. In order to maintain our competitive
edge we need to have a first class infrastructure network in place.
The AIF along with other DEVELOP ABILENE team members will continue
to work these issues with the City, County and State.
The
needs of our school districts have to be met if we are to have a skilled
work force that can meet the needs of industry in our City. New / renovated
schools are a start but need to be complimented by a premier course
curriculums and teaching staff that meets the needs of college bound
students as well as those who will enter the technical trades needed
in our community. Identifying those needs is another goal of the AIF
and DEVELOP ABILENE team who will work with the education entities at
all levels.
Continuing
to address the needs of Dyess AFB are key to our community. The Base
is a major economic engine in the City. We need to work with the Chamber's
Military Affairs Committee (MAC) as we look for new future missions
that will take the Base to the next level of needs within the air Force.
The AIF / MAC/ City / County are all working together on various aspects
regarding the Base. This will continue for the foreseeable future.
As
citizens we all need to play our role in the economy. We need to BUY
BIG COUNTRY, FLY ABILENE, work with our school districts and volunteer
to be on committees that make decisions on our behalf. We, on the AIF
Board of Directors, continue to encourage our members to volunteer their
time in this regard. The best investment we can make is in ourselves!!
The
AIF staff will continue to market Abilene with site selection consultants
via personal visits, hosting events in and outside the City. Developing
our networks with these decision makers will bring focus to our city
and eventually economic success as we did with the location of PWP and
GENESIS NETWORKS.
We,
as a community, need to realize everyone plays a part in the future
of the City and region. The AIF working with the DEVELOP ABILENE team,
the City, County and State intends to do whatever is required to keep
the community's economy strong and growing. All we ask is that you join
us in doing your part, as best you can, for the overall good of Abilene
and the region.
Address: 174 Cypress St., Suite 300
Phone: (325) 673-7349
Toll Free: (800) 299-0005
Fax: (325) 673-9193
Email: Industrial Foundation
Website: www.developabilene.com
