Economic developer Jim Searcy to speak at Hoover chamber luncheon

Jim Searcy, the executive director for the Economic Development Association of Alabama, is scheduled to be the speaker for the March luncheon for the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 17.

Searcy has been with the Economic Development Association of Alabama since 2013. Prior to that, he served as executive director of the Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance. He has more than 20 years in economic development in Alabama.

He has been vice president of business and industry retention at the Birmingham Business Alliance and vice president of marketing for the Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board and was a senior project manager at the Alabama Development Office, now called the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Searcy serves on the advisory board of the Alabama Productivity Center, the board of the Alabama Technology Network, the board of advisors for the Economic and Community Development Institute and the Southern Development Council's board of directors.

He also serves on the Alabama Workforce and Training Council, the Alabama Economic Development Alliance and the Alabama Communities of Excellence Advisory Committee.

Searcy has a bachelor's degree in public administration from Auburn University and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University Montgomery.

The March 17 chamber luncheon will be at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham — The Wynfrey Hotel. Networking is scheduled to start at 11:15 a.m., and the luncheon should start at noon.

Reservations are due by Monday, March 14, and can be made by calling 988-5672 or emailing the chamber office at lisa@hooverchamber.org. The cost is $20, payable at the door, or $25 for non-members or people without reservations. Cancellations are accepted until the morning of the luncheon. Attendees can pay by cash, check or major credit cards.