By By Michele Gerlach Publisher
Members of the Alabama Press Association who attended the group's meeting in Tuscaloosa this past weekend heard some good news from Dr. David Bronner.
The blunt-spoken head of the Alabama Retirement System, said 2005 should be a banner year for industrial recruitment.
What he's most concerned about is the state's General Fund budget. But it's not the $250 million deficit – per se – that worries him.
It's three things funded by the General Fund that he worries about: troopers, prisons and Medicaid.
Prisons, he said, are operating with about $2,000 less per prisoner per year than the national average.
He also listed Medicaid because the state funds it only at the minimum levels.
But if the state can hold those three things together, Bronner expects great things.
That's great news for Escambia County, which should be in a great position to "sell" a plant site at I-65 and 21 north of Atmore, or at I-65 and Hwy. 41 north of Brewton.
Michele Gerlach may be reached at michele.gerlach-@brewtonstandard.com or at 251.867.4876.