Workforce and Economic Development

One of the primary focuses of her campaign is to address the population decline that has plagued much of the district over the past four decades – what Dee Ann calls the ‘cycle of rural decline’. Because of the lack of available opportunities, young people are leaving to find work elsewhere, and that exodus leaves behind a population that often lacks the numbers of skilled, trained workers that are needed to attract new industry. When an industry does look for a location in the area, they see the lack of a skilled, available workforce and choose to go elsewhere. More young people then leave the area – and the cycle continues. She has focused much of her attention on rural workforce and economic development and gained her STAR certification as a Rural Economic Developer from the Alabama Department of Commerce. Dee Ann believes that providing more skills training at the high school and postsecondary level is crucial to address the workforce and economic issues affecting her area of the state.