Executive Director of the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority

Carma Jude is executive director of the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, based in Birmingham, Ala. The authority's mission is to spur job creation and economic development in Jefferson County, with a focus on industrial development. The JCEIDA has developed area industrial parks, including the Jefferson Metropolitan Park McCalla, adjacent to where Norfolk Southern plans to build a $112 million intermodal facility as part of its Crescent Corridor rail improvement project. Jude, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), has led the authority for about 1-1/2 years. Much of her career has been in commercial real estate development.

Question:

What kind of benefits do you expect Jefferson County and the surrounding region to derive from Norfolk Southern's planned intermodal facility?

Answer:

The Norfolk Southern rail line is on the boundary of the Jeff Met Park, and the ability for businesses to have rail served sites has been one of our major selling points. The intermodal facility will provide a transportation advantage in terms of supply chain logistics and reduced shipping costs. It should help drive business for us, both for companies already in the park that want to expand operations and for new companies looking for a good location. Having that facility and that transportation option at their back door should give them a competitive edge.

From what I have researched and seen, an intermodal facility like this is a major job creator. These facilities attract distribution-type companies that use intermodal for import or export, and they also draw manufacturing companies that need to ship in raw materials or product from different areas to use in their manufacturing processes.

Question:

What in your view are the public benefits associated with the intermodal facility and improvements being made to the Crescent Corridor?

Answer:

I think the primary public benefit to Alabama and to neighboring states is having an improved transportation artery for moving goods. It benefits businesses in these areas, which in turn benefits the people living here by creating jobs and generating taxes that support schools and other things our communities need to thrive and grow. That leads to better opportunities for individuals and their families.

Another benefit is that, over time, improvements to the rail network have the potential to remove trucks from the interstate highways, which will reduce congestion and improve transportation for all of us while still allowing for that integral movement of product. With the expansion of the Panama Canal and new trade coming to the Southeast, I think it's a very good thing that this investment in the Crescent Corridor is occurring, because it helps position Alabama and the Southeast to take advantage of those changes and capitalize on the business opportunities that will be created.