20 replies to this topic

[microtuskegee]

Tuskegee is a micropolitan area in east central Alabama with a population of 12,000 in the city and 24,000 in the county of Macon. Tuskegee is 40 miles from Montgomery, AL the state capital and 15 miles from the Auburn- Opelika Area. Interstate 85 is in Tuskegee and runs next to the Tuskegee National Forest and one of Tuskegee's two National Parks. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site under the National Park system was predicted by the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel to be the most visited site in Alabama.  Tuskegee is also the home of Tuskegee University with a population of 3,000 students and is the only college in america to be designated a National Park Site. Tuskegee Institute National Historic site is the second national park in Tuskegee and is on the campus of Tuskegee University. Tuskegee is very historic and is trying to grow. What can the they do to grow in this small city?

[BTW]

Tuskegee is a very historic place. My class visited many years ago. The city needs to market as a tourist destination more than just the signs for the parks and the forest on the interstate.

You'll Grow Soon!!!!!!!!!!!

[Atl-man]

Tuskegee is in the Columbus- Auburn-Opelika Combined Area one of the fastest growing areas in the southeastern USA.
Tuskegee is part of the black belt and grow of the black belt is something the south is trying to encourage.
The Many historic sites helps by bringing tourist.

All signs say Tuskegee will grow.

[microtuskegee]

Mayor Johnny Ford of Tuskegee has announced that on July 14-15, 2005, a Franchise Opportunity Symposium will be held at the four star Kellogg Executive Hotel and Confrence Center on the Campus of Tuskegee University.
Symposium co- sponsors include: the city of Tuskegee, Tuskegee Institute Community Development Center, Tuskegee Institute Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Small Business Adminatration, Alabama District office, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, Atlanta National Enterprise Center, and International Franchise Association.
Ford remarked, "There are over 500,000 visitors to the city of Tuskegee each year. These visitors must have certian attractions to prolong their stay and spend money in our community. Among other things franchised retail venues can assist in the regard and boost the revenue and tax base of the city of Tuskegee."
He added that Tuskegee needs all kinds of franchisees and retail outlets.
"This symposium is designed to bring together franchisers,potential franchises, and finacial institutions in one room, so that when they leave, we will have persons equipped to actually own a franchise and go into business,"Ford commented. "We invite persons from this region to attend. Our goal is to revitalize Tuskegee/Macon County with new businesses."
For more information, contact the office of the Mayor, (334)-727-0065

[microtuskegee]

Lionel Richie has state he is ready to return home to Tuskegee after retirement to open a buisness. Richie a Tuskegee native attended a minority buisness workshop held by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is promoting entrepreneurial diversity including workshops, networking events and lectures. Richie says he would even like to have some businesses in this area. Lionel Richie says, "what do you want to do? what do you want to get involved in after you retire? and my answer is probably going to be follow me down south. I'll show you some places and we can be there. I'll tell you right now it's going to be technology." Although he can't be specific about what type of business he wants to go into, richie says manufacturing is a good area.  

This is all good news for the city of Tuskegee. Recently the famed evangulist William (Bill) Winstion a native of Tuskegee announced the he has bought the citys struggling Fords Crossing Shopping Center and is bringing it up to standards and promoting the facility. Reverand Winston already owns a shopping center in chicago that is home to k-mart, tj max, and many other major stores. Winstion has stated that the upgrade of the shopping center would be under way by the end of this year and competed by september of 2006.

[Southron]

microtuskegee, on Sep 23 2005, 09:41 PM, said:

Lionel Richie has state he is ready to return home to Tuskegee after retirement to open a buisness. Richie a Tuskegee native attended a minority buisness workshop held by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is promoting entrepreneurial diversity including workshops, networking events and lectures. Richie says he would even like to have some businesses in this area. Lionel Richie says, "what do you want to do? what do you want to get involved in after you retire? and my answer is probably going to be follow me down south. I'll show you some places and we can be there. I'll tell you right now it's going to be technology." Although he can't be specific about what type of business he wants to go into, richie says manufacturing is a good area.

Glad to see he's going to come home and try to help out his hometown.  Hopefully his business(es) will bring good-paying jobs to an area that badly needs them.

Quote

This is all good news for the city of Tuskegee. Recently the famed evangulist William (Bill) Winstion a native of Tuskegee announced the he has bought the citys struggling Fords Crossing Shopping Center and is bringing it up to standards and promoting the facility. Reverand Winston already owns a shopping center in chicago that is home to k-mart, tj max, and many other major stores. Winstion has stated that the upgrade of the shopping center would be under way by the end of this year and competed by september of 2006.

Tuskegee has some nice building stock that can be renovated.  Good to see that some improvements are being made.

[Rural King]

Good to hear that locals are returning home and trying to make a difference in their home communities. I always like to hear such news, since its such a positive story and good example for others.

[Rural King]

Tuskegee is definately an interesting place IMO. There are alot of micropolitan areas across the South that go largely under the radar that are full of interesting industries, schools, historical, places, etc. I find alot of micropolitans areas to be very interesting to learn about.

Any recent news from Tuskegee? There haven't been any new posts in this thread in awhile.

[ZachariahDaMan]

I thought I would look up Tuskegee to see some info on it.

Community profile: http://www.epodunk.c...?locIndex=12246

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee

[BTW]

here are some websites were you can get more infomation on Tuskegee-Macon County.

www.tuskegeearea.4t.com

www.tuskegeeareachamber.com

www.tuskegeealabama.org

www.tuskegeearea.com

www.tuskegee.edu

[Southron]

A Hyundai supplier is expanding in Macon County and creating about 130 new jobs.  The Halla Climate Systems plant in Shorter currently supplies air conditioning systems to the Hyundai plant, but will add the production of radiators and condensers after the expansion.  The expanded plant will also supply parts to the new Kia plant in Georgia.

Montgomery Advertiser: Macon County hoping Halla plant expansion a sign of things to come

[Southron]

Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford is sending deadbeat property owners a message:  properly maintain properties or the city will demolish them.  He wants to tear down eyesores, including a run-down motel on AL Hwy 81 that he'd like to replace with a new retail development.  An old shopping center on US Hwy 80 is currently under renovation.

WSFA-TV:  Tuskegee's Mayor Going After Eyesores

WSFA-TV:  Tuskegee Mayor's Recommendations for Renovations

[Southron]

Milton McGregor is investing $100 million in an expansion of the Victoryland dog track/electronic bingo facility.  The makeover will include a luxury hotel, an entertainment complex and at least three restaurants (a steak house, seafood restaurant and the largest buffet anywhere in the Southeast).  McGregor plans to bring in entertainers such as Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Lionel Richie and The Commodores as well as more current acts.

The expansion will create 600-800 new jobs and is scheduled for completion in 2009.  McGregor believes the expansion will bring in enough tourists to have a direct economic impact on Macon County and most of surrounding central Alabama, including Montgomery.

Montgomery Advertiser:  McGregor bets heavily on VictoryLand growth

[Southron]

The article linked in the previous post mentions another boost to area tourism -- the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, which will open next April, according to Tuskegee mayor Johnny Ford.  The $29 million project is expected to attract around 400,000 tourists annually.

I was pleasantly surprised to read that the restoration of the WWII airfield in Tuskegee is finally going to get done.  However, it was disappointing to hear recently that a $20+ million Tuskegee Airmen Museum will be built in Detroit.  IMHO that money should be spent in Tuskegee, Alabama, not on a competing museum somewhere else..

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

[Rural King]

The Hyundai expansion and the McGregor investment in the dogtrack/bingo hall are both great developments for Tuskegee! Thats 750-950 jobs and over 121 million dollars in investment into the city announced just in the month of June of this year! Outstanding news!

The airfield being ready to open as a historical site is a great development as well, and I agree it is a shame that Detroit won out on the Museum over the actual historical site.

So how is Mayor Ford's popularity on the heels of this positive news?

[Southron]

Rural King, on Jun 24 2007, 10:33 PM, said:

So how is Mayor Ford's popularity on the heels of this positive news?

I'd say he's a pretty sure bet for reelection.  He's quite a character, and Tuskegee voters seem to support him no matter what office he runs for or what political party he affiliates himself with.

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Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, currently under renovation:








Washington Plaza shopping center renovation, on the edge of downtown Tuskegee:



current conditions

[Southron]

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site update:

Phase 1 of the restoration of Moton Field will be complete in about a month.  This includes restoration of Hangar 1, which will open as a museum next fall.  Phase 2 will include reconstruction of Hanger 2 into an iIMAX Theater, with a P-51 Mustang suspended from the ceiling.  The grand opening for the restored site is scheduled for October 2008.

WSFA-TV:  Big Plans for Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (with video link)

[microtuskegee]

2008 will be a great year in tourism for Tuskegee and Macon County! first in May 2008 the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center will open marking the ten year anniversary of the presidential apology for the Tuskegee study. The museum will tell the story of Tuskegee and Macon County from the time it was first developed. It is a modern muesum that will serve as the visitors center for the city of Tuskegee and the county of Macon!

The big opening is going to be the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site which will open on October 10, 11, & 12 of 2008! It is a three day event that is being hosted by the National Park Service, the State of Alabama, the city of Tuskegee, and the county of Macon. This site pay honor to the Tuskegee Airmen and is expected to draw big names!

more info will be added as the times get closer!

[Southron]

Great news for Tuskegee, Macon County and the state of Alabama!  I can't wait for for the Tuskegee Airmen site to open.

Where is the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center being built?  Is it on campus or downtown?

BTW, thanks for posting and welcome back to UP, microtuskegee!

[microtuskegee]

Southron, on Jan 23 2008, 09:59 PM, said:

Great news for Tuskegee, Macon County and the state of Alabama!  I can't wait for for the Tuskegee Airmen site to open.

Where is the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center being built?  Is it on campus or downtown?

BTW, thanks for posting and welcome back to UP, microtuskegee!

The Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center will open in downtown Tuskegee and tell the history of Tuskegee and Macon County. It is planned to open in May 2008. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site opens October 10, 11, & 12 2008.

Thanks for the welcome back!