May 19, 2013
They're everywhere and they're taking over, not signs but businesses, and that can be a good thing for the state's economy.
Dennis lee has been in the furniture business for 35 years and decided to start his own last year in August.
"To me Alabama has a lot of opportunities than maybe some more densely popular areas. We have potential for growth."
That potential for growth has attracted several business not only to the downtown Dothan area but to the state as a whole.
The Area Development Magazine cites Alabama's cost of doing business, corporate tax environment, incentives programs, cooperative state government and competitive utility rates, as some of the reasons the state ranks in the top five for doing business.
Governor Robert Bentley says over the last 21 months, he has announced more than 26,000 and new jobs from companies that are locating or expanding in Alabama.
Russell Wiggins is one of the owners of Push Crank Press.
His business opened about three months ago in the Nest on Foster.
"I haven't owned a business before, the other two partners that I'm with have had other businesses."
He says it's his first business venture and he couldn't think of starting anywhere else.
"This is where we live, we want Dothan to grow," added Wiggins.
And that want wasn't hard to make happen.
" It was super easy, our business plan came together in a month."
Wiggins' business plan is just one piece of the puzzle that keeps Alabama growing.
The report also listed Alabama first for competitive labor costs and near the top of the list for workforce development programs.
A link to the full report can be found here:
