News

Read the latest news from the Gateway Initiative

2022 Legislative Agenda Survey
 
 It's time, once again, for you to make your voice heard and help the Baldwin County Chamber Coalition develop the
 
As you know, the five Chambers of Commerce in Baldwin County have come together to form the Baldwin County Chamber Coalition 
with a goal of speaking with a unified voice to our legislative delegation.
 
We would like your input and encourage your participation in a ten-minute survey to help us develop a county-wide Legislative Agenda for 2022.
 
Thank you in advance for your assistance and please share this with your fellow business leaders.
 
This survey will close on
Thursday, December 23, 2021
 

Perdido Beach Resort Named to Inc.’s 2021 Best in Business List in Travel and Hospitality
 
Perdido Beach Resort has been named to the Inc. 2021 Best in Business list in the Travel and Hospitality category. Inc.’s Best in Business Awards honor companies that have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact. The list, which can be found in the Winter issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands December 14), recognizes small- and medium-size privately held American businesses that have had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, the environment, or society as a whole.
 
Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc., says, “What began for us during the pandemic as an
effort to showcase companies that were helping the community has grown into a recognition of
social, environmental, and economic impact. The companies on this year’s list are changemakers with heart – and they’re pouring the best of their business into the people and
communities around them.”
 
Rather than relying on quantitative criteria tied to sales or funding, Inc.’s editors reviewed the
companies’ achievements over the past year and noted how they made a positive difference in
the world. They then selected honorees in more than 49 different industries – from finance to software to engineering to fashion, and more – and in age-based and revenue-based categories. The applicant pool was extremely competitive, with around 2,700 entries and an
acceptance rate in the low single digits – a huge success for these honors in the list’s second year. Honorees for gold, silver, bronze, and general excellence across industries and categories are featured online at inc.com/best-in-business.
 
Perdido Beach Resort Receives Multiple "Best of Baldwin" Awards:
  1. Chef: Brody Olive, Voyager's at Perdido Beach Resort
  2. Hotel: Perdido Beach Resort:
  3. Romantic Restaurant at the Beach: Voyager's at Perdido Beach Resort
  4. Romantic Restaurant: Voyager's at Perdido Beach Resort

Recently, The Gateway Initiative team visited Gulf Shores High School (GSHS) to speak to sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in technical education courses.  “The topic of the day was career path opportunities with businesses right here in Baldwin County”, said Tyler Morgan of the team.  “Students learned about career technical education programs offered through Coastal Alabama Community College (CACC) in both short term and associate degree opportunities as well as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship”.

We discussed new programs in marine technology and construction trades offered in dual enrollment at CACC’s Foley campus as well as existing programs in lodging, culinary arts, and restaurant management.  “The Gateway Team is always available to work with our students on their career path” said Kristen Madsen, technical education teacher for GSHS. “It’s always beneficial when industry professionals make themselves available to guide our students to a solid plan for their education and training”.

A local task force spearheaded via the Gateway Initiative continues to connect business leaders and elected officials, proposing a tri-city workforce training campus using American Rescue Plan funding. 

In October, the Gateway Initiative organized a meeting with Senator Chris Elliott to discuss depleted federal funding for wage reimbursements to support apprenticeships in our area. 

  1. Funding Awarded for Hospitality Credential
  2. Healthcare Heroes
  3. Gateway Workforce Housing and Transportation Survey
  4. Gateway Addresses Workforce Crisis

See all of our investors.