The region’s institutions of higher education have historically had a low profile in the community. However, economic development efforts leveraging their strengths and opportunities have, in recent years, begun to gain momentum. Troy University was an early leader in Montgomery’s downtown renaissance and is making continuous improvements in to its campus. Alabama State University has been making investments that will also substantially affect the downtown fabric, including a new stadium complex and an office building. Colleges and universities in many of the country’s cities play a central role in urban development and revitalization, and while students are an important demographic for creating vitality in urban centers. Leveraging capacity of the region’s postsecondary institutions to generate economic activity in Montgomery while supporting their objectives is a key strategy. These institutions must be generators of Greater Montgomery’s quality of place.

Actions:

Make downtown attractive to college students and market its amenities to this group.
Establish connections between regional college and university campuses and downtown Montgomery.
Work with alumni offices of local institutions to connect with their constituents.

41 Commerce Street, P.O. Box 79, Montgomery, Alabama 36101

Tel: 334.834.5200 Fax: 334.265.4745