CONGRESSMEN LINCOLN DAVIS AND BUD CRAMER PARTNER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN SOUTHERN TENNESSEE AND NORTHERN ALABAMA September 01, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, TN -- Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District Rep. Lincoln Davis, and Alabama’s 5th District Rep. Bud Cramer, want to work together with local officials and residents to make sure the coming Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission relocation is a smooth transition for all.

To accomplish that they chaired an economic development summit, in Fayetteville, Tenn., on what federal help will be needed in the region to facilitate the repositioning of thousands of jobs from Northern Virginia to Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama as mandated by BRAC.

Both Davis and Cramer stressed the importance of regional cooperation between their respective offices, local economic development partners and elected officials in promoting the Tennessee Valley region to perspective employers.

“Congressman Cramer and I are fully committed to working together with local partners in a regional partnership on finding ways of expanding infrastructure and recruiting new industry to the Tennessee Valley,” Davis said. “This summit is the first of what will be hopefully many fruitful meetings to come.”

Looking to develop innovative joint ventures, Davis and Cramer have already held exploratory meetings about forging more cooperative efforts between Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tenn., and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

“Because of the close proximity of our districts, Congressman Davis and I believe our communities must maintain a strong working relationship, especially when it comes to economic development,” said Cramer. “It is important that we continually beyond state and county lines on economic issues to spur growth throughout the region.”

In 2005, the BRAC Commission submitted its recommendations for realignment and base closures. Among the recommendations was the repositioning of thousands of government jobs from Northern Virginia to the Tennessee Valley. The number is expected to grow significantly when additional contractors are considered.

Among those participating in the summit from Tennessee: Jeff Fishman, Arnold Community Council; Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray; Walt Wood, Bedford County Chamber of Commerce; Coffee County Mayor David Pennington; Ted Hackney, Coffee County Industrial Development; Ted Frisby, Coffee County Commissioner; Franklin County Mayor Richard Stewart; Fayetteville City Mayor Ed Underwood; Britt Dye, Fayetteville Public Utilities; John Payne, Franklin County Economic Development; Pulaski Mayor/Giles County Economic Development director Dan Speers; Lawrence County Mayor Paul Rosson; Randy Brewer, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Lincoln County Mayor Jerry Mansfield; Ron Mahal, Lincoln County Industrial Development Board; Nathan Ward, Lincoln County Economic Development; Bill Shuff, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association; Dr. Marylou Apple, Motlow State Community College; State Rep. Curt Cobb; Warren County Mayor John Pelham; Jeff McCormick, Warren County Economic Development. Representing Alabama: Brian Hilson, Huntsville Chamber of Commerce; Mike Ward, Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce; Rick Tucker, Huntsville International Airport; Brooks Kracke, Huntsville International Airport; Evon Zills, Lawrence County Economic Development; Tom Hill, Limestone County Economic Development; Shelia Shepard, Jackson County Economic Development; Cindy Burns, North Alabama Industrial Development Association; Forrest Wright, Shoals Economic Development; Liz Anderson, Shoals Economic Development.