MOBILE, Ala. — Even as America’s economy seems to hang by a thread, the outlook for southwest Alabama looks a little more more promising.

Around 305 people from the local business community attended the Coastal Economy Outlook conference held Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. There, experts from the world of banking, real estate, federal and state government discussed the national crisis while focusing on the growth being experienced here.

“We are in a good position here on the Gulf Coast. We believe in regionalism. It saves money, takes advantage of (marketing) the region as a whole, aids in developing services, builds political and economic clout and we complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said Bill Sisson, who was spending his last day on the job as vice president of economic development for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he held for the last five years. He is now beginning to face new challenges as executive director of the Mobile Airport Authority.

Sisson noted several large employers have either already set up shop or announced plans to move operations to the area, something he expects will boost the economy on both sides of the bay.

Robert Ingram, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, agreed. He said job growth in Baldwin County is on the upswing, with capital investments in 2005 bringing 500 additional jobs here in the aerospace, marine and building products sectors.

Around 957 jobs were created in 2006, he said, in the building products, aerospace, high tech/professional, manufacturing and distribution industries. At least 585 positions sprung from those same areas last year.

As many as 211 jobs have been added in Baldwin County so far this year, with a combined year-to-date capital investment of more than $22 million. Ingram said two or three more companies planning new or expanded operations here will soon be announced, but he couldn’t be more specific.

Sisson said it is difficult to compare figures released before the 2000 census with the numbers now being discussed because Baldwin County was separated from the Mobile Metropolitan Area that year. Baldwin is now measured as a micropolitan area.

Ingram said the medical industry continues to be a “huge component” of economic growth in both Baldwin and Mobile counties. He noted a major medical concern is now considering Baldwin along with Houston, Texas as finalists for a facility.

He added energy companies are also considering launching operations in Baldwin County, and there are corporations looking into relocating their headquarters here.

Baldwin County was was listed as one of the top 20 micropolitan areas in the country for four years in a row, Ingram said. He also pointed out that POLICOM ranked the county the eighth strongest micro economy in 2006, 34th out of 576 micros in 2007 and 25th out of 577 micro areas this year.

“We’re grateful to get the recognition,” he said.

He credits the numbers to companies such as Euromex Distribution in Loxley, with almost 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space; Equipment Sales Corp. in Loxley, which distributes climate control systems and parts; Goodrich Aerostructures in Foley, which had less than 500 employees three years ago, but now boasts more than 900 with some of the highest benefit packages in the region; Swift Supply in Foley, which builds roof trusses; Vulcan Inc. in Foley, which he called “one of the truly outstanding companies in south Alabama;” and Segers Aero Corp. in Fairhope, which relocated its U.S. corporate headquarters and jet maintenance facility here from Miami, along with 42 families.

Alabama Revenue Commissioner and former Foley Mayor Tim Russell said the state is reaping the financial rewards of our growth through increases in state sales taxes. He pointed out Georgia’s educational system is already in proration this year, but Alabama is avoiding such drastic funding cuts so far.

Russell said Baldwin and Mobile counties account for 12 percent of the state’s population, but over the last decade, the coast has drawn 20 percent of the capital investment made statewide.

For the last three quarters (October 2007-June 2008), Alabama has experienced $76 billion in gross sales, resulting in $1.4 billion in revenue, Russell said. Baldwin County was responsible for $1.8 billion in gross sales, generating $36 million for state coffers, he added.

Tourism, considered one of the area’s largest industries, didn’t disappoint. Russell said lodging tax collections for the last three quarters in Baldwin County spurred additional income for the state. Around $107 million in gross receipts brought in $2.1 million in taxes.

The Coastal Economy Outlook was sponsored by the University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business Center for Real Estate Studies, Envision Coastal Alabama, the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, the University of South Alabama Center for Continuing Education and Conference Services and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.