BAY MINETTE ‑ High speed ferries traveling around the bay, stopping at cities and attractions. Water taxis carrying people up river into the Delta to fishing and hunting camps.

Does it sound far-fetched or a vision of the distant future? Not to former Mobile Mayor Mike Dow.

He can see both. And not in the distant future.

Speaking at the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce banquet, Dow mapped out an approach to marketing Baldwin and Mobile counties that would highlight the assets of the region.

“Mobile is heavy into manufacturing,” said Dow. “You’re heavy into tourism in Baldwin. Mobile needs more tourism and Baldwin needs more manufacturing.”

The key, he said, is forming a Coastal Alabama Partnership, the counties joining forces to attract more industry and more tourists. While the beaches have attracted billions of dollars in condos and a steady stream of visitors, a big part of the area’s appeal to tourists is currently untapped – the Mobile and Tensaw river delta.

“I can envision water taxis carrying people up river to wilderness camps, to fishing camps,” said Dow. “We need to market the area for hunting, fishing, walking, kayaking and birding.

“We could have high speed ferries to stop at every one of the attractions and at each community. I can even see luxury cruises going from city to city.”

The eco tourism has been a boom for Blakeley State Park. Over the past few years, the park has had to keep adding more boat tours through the Delta and to the state docks. They have already scheduled five trips during the spring, and will likely add more throughout 2013. And that is only tapping one aspect of the area’s potential.

The timing could be key for Baldwin and Mobile counties. The arrival of Airbus has brought both national and international attention to Lower Alabama. The megasite in north Baldwin County could attract a major aerospace supplier, or industry in a totally separate field.

“Airbus has given us so much credibility and is a magnet to investors,” said Dow. “I have people coming to me looking for ways to invest in the area. I’ve never had money looking for projects.”

The World Leisure Organization will have five strategic planners working with area leaders throughout the coming year, making now the time to act.

“You can’t compete as a city (or a county) anymore,” said Dow. “It has to be a regional effort.

“We need to talk about how we can work together ‑ a two-county joint effort. That’s something (the state legislature in) Montgomery likes to see.

“Our cup is three-quarters full, and we’re ready to make a move.”