Formed in 1999, the Ashland Alliance is both the Chamber of Commerce and regional economic development partnership for the City of Ashland and Boyd and Greenup Counties. Our mission is to promote economic growth for the betterment of our region and serve as an advocate for the business community.

Without a doubt, the key to economic development success is quality education. Number one on a business prospect's list is the availability of a well-educated, well-trained workforce. We are fortunate to have quality education at the K-12 levels and excellent higher education institutions in Ashland Community & Technical College and Morehead State University and nearby in Marshall and Ohio universities. However, several key education indicators, such as high school and college graduation rates, are below the national average, so we need to continue to strongly support education initiatives at both the local and state levels.

The Tri-State truly has a strategic location, with more than one-half the population of the U.S. within 600 miles of our region. Our premier business site is EastPark, a 1,000-acre regional business park conveniently located next to I-64 and home to AT&T Mobility (1,050 employees); Cintas (342 employees); Ohio Valley Wholesale (50 employees); General Sales (30 employees); and Carvaca (22 employees). Additionally, EastPark is home to the Technology Drive Campus of Ashland Community & Technical College, and construction has begun on a $45 million expansion of the campus.

Since our inception we have promoted teamwork and collaboration. About two years ago, we joined with our friends and counterparts in Ohio and West Virginia to form the Tri-State Chamber Coalition to work together on issues that affect the entire region, such as commercial air service, which is so important to economic development. We believe our coalition has been instrumental in improving air service at Tri-State Airport, and we will continue to lobby for improvements, including a new parking garage at Tri-State. Our congressional delegations have been very receptive to our coalition, and most people will agree that anytime you can get the support of your three congressmen and six U.S. senators, many things can be accomplished.

Like many communities, we are faced with the challenge of the "brain drain" phenomenon: young people leaving the area because of the lack of job opportunities. This is why we continue to emphasize the importance of quality-of-life factors including the arts and entertainment and a vibrant downtown. The City of Ashland has initiated a "Streetscape" project and an ambitious Riverfront Master Plan, including a Riverfront Market in the former C&O Railroad Depot, with groundbreaking scheduled for next month. These projects will enhance existing attractions such as the Paramount Arts Center, the Jesse Stuart Foundation, the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, and the Pendleton Art Center, with 40 working artists' studios. What a community looks like and feels like is important in retaining and recruiting talented people.

In an effort to implement a retail development plan, the Alliance and the City of Ashland entered into a contract with the Buxton Co., an industry leader in customer analysis for the retail industry. The Buxton program is a marketing strategy that identifies retailers and restaurants that match the buying and dining preferences of our residents. The data and information generated by this program will make a compelling case as to why Ashland can support new store and restaurant locations. This includes a marketing package customized for each matching retailer.

Recently a very successful "eBusiness Workshop" was held in Ashland with 52 in attendance, most from small businesses. Attendees learned how to increase their sales by doing business on the internet and heard first-hand from local small businesses on how they successfully implemented an "eBusiness" program, opening new markets for their business.

The top five employers in northeast Kentucky are King's Daughters Medical Center with more than 3,700 employees, Marathon Petroleum with 1,300, AK Steel with 1,100, Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital 1,100, and AT&T Mobility with 1,050. And although health care has become the economic engine in our area, the manufacturing sector still contributes significantly to our area's economy. The retail sector continues to remain strong with continued growth at Ashland Town Center Mall, the Melody Mountain project, KYOVA Mall in Boyd County, and Diedrich Boulevard in Russell.

As the chamber of commerce, we are admittedly biased and bullish about the area. The area is one of natural beauty and is a great place to live, work and raise a family. We have outstanding healthcare and schools; low crime rate; little traffic congestion; affordable housing; year-round sports and festivals, and a great appreciation of the arts. The entire Tri-State has weathered some tough economic times, has proven to be very resilient, and some great opportunities lie ahead.

Jim Purgerson is the president of the Ashland Alliance.