Leaders Emphasize Collaboration at Montgomery Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Conversations & Coffee Event
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA)— The Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its Governmental Affairs Conversations & Coffee, bringing together local business owners with elected officials, government representatives and other decision-makers for informal discussions.
The event provided an opportunity for attendees to connect directly with state and local leaders and hear updates on efforts to strengthen Montgomery and surrounding communities.
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, who recently won a second term representing Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation when advocating for federal resources and investments in Alabama.
“We cannot be in camps where we are just relying on a single party to be in control to be able to get the resources that we need to advance the things that we need here,” Figures said. “So we’re gonna continue to go to battle and we’re gonna continue to work in a bipartisan fashion.”
Public safety was another major topic of discussion.
Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham says, “I’ve got deputies that work with the ATF, I’ve got some working with the FBI, with DEA, with the federal marshals, so these task forces really help us in our community to be able to get these bad guys because we’re bringing all of our resources to the table.”
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Will Sellers discussed importance of the judiciary’s role in creating confidence among businesses considering investing in the state.
” We don’t get a lot of publicity, but obviously, we are a third branch of government and some of the things that we do are very significant to make sure that we maintain a stable legal system,” said Sellers. “And that there is certainty in the business community so that people know when they have contracts that are signed, they’re going to be enforced. And when people know that they commit a crime, that crime is going to be punished if that person is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, said the relationships made during events like this are vital.
“Change is inevitable and we’re always gonna make sure that we do what we can do to help those in transition and making sure that the state stays steady,” said Boswell.
Newly elected Montgomery County Board of Education member Dwayne Farrior, who represents District 1, said connecting students with local businesses could create more opportunities for young people.
“I’m a local small business owner so being amongst the business community, you get to hear from them directly and what the needs are and what they’re saying and workforce development,” said Farrior. “So in Montgomery, that is a major opportunity for us here with the public school system where we can really create paths for our young adults to go right into the workforce and start earning income and becoming productive citizens and making Montgomery better.”
And keeping those conversations percolating is critical to building a stronger Montgomery and a bright future for the River Region.
The Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce represents 1,400 businesses and organizations.
