UA Think Tank for Water Resources
Business Alabama – July 29
While there’s some disagreement about causation, it would be hard to dispute that weather patterns over the past decade have dealt some harsh and unexpected blows to the continental United States. Many natural disasters have a water component, and a new facility located at the University of Alabama, the National Water Center, is expected to become an incubator for innovative breakthroughs in water prediction products and services. Opened in late May, the Water Center will be a hub of integrated water prediction and forecasting for the federal government. Its innovative predictive science and services developed by NOAA and its partners will bolster the nation’s ability to manage threats to its finite water resources and mitigate impacts to communities. Scientists and forecasters at the 65,000-square-foot building will collaborate to provide the nation with enhanced water-related products and services. Bringing experts together in this new collaborative center provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve federal coordination in the water sector to address 21st century water resource challenges, such as water security and analysis and prediction of droughts and floods.
Revitalizing downtown Atmore
Atmore News – July 29
A small contingent of concerned citizens met at Atmore City Hall Thursday, July 23, with one common interest: the revitalization of the downtown business district and breathing new life into an area threatened by vacancies and business closures. Foster Kizer organized the meeting, attended by 17 people including downtown business owners, building owners, city officials and individuals with a desire to see downtown remain vibrant. Kizer had speaking with Yolanda Johnson, a small business consultant with the University of Alabama, and she facilitated the meeting. “To move forward, you must first identify your community’s assets,” Johnson said. “Once an intellectually honest assessment has been made, a plan can be drawn up to facilitate success. If you don’t know where you are going, nobody’s going to be able to help you get there.” Johnson explained what kind of help was available from the state, including procurement specialists, international trade specialists, capital access and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, all free of charge. “Business survival rates are double for businesses that make use of the services offered by the state,” Johnson said.
Flowers releasing new memoir
Atmore News – July 29
Few states have as fascinating a political history as Alabama, especially in the post-World War II era. Moving onto and off the state’s electoral stage during this time period of remarkable transformation have been some of the most interesting figures in 20th-century American government and politics. Now, the backstage intrigue of Alabama politics receives a lively treatment in “Of Goats and Governors,” the new memoir by former Alabama Representative Steve Flowers. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s most watched and read political columnist and commentator. His column on Alabama politics appears weekly in 66 Alabama newspapers [including Atmore News]. In addition to his famous column, he serves as the political analyst for the University of Alabama radio and television network. His weekly radio commentary for the University is listened to statewide on Alabama Public Radio. He is also the political analyst for WAKA/the Alabama news network in Montgomery.