City of Talladega Blog

(Talladega, AL) Interim City Manager Danny Warwick recently accepted a plaque in recognition of Talladega’s admission into the prestigious Innovate Alabama Network. Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield, Kelly McNair and T.C. McLemore presented the award to Warwick at the network’s office in Birmingham on Friday.

Last fall, Innovate Alabama announced the inaugural designees of the Innovate Alabama Network, a comprehensive resource to connect communities, nonprofits and higher education institutions across the state fostering innovation in their local footprint. Talladega is one of fifty-one designees in 17 Alabama counties to comprise the group, which received $9.3 million in supporting funds from Innovate Alabama.

“The Innovate Alabama Network is a major step forward to growing the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Alabama,” said CEO Crutchfield. “By providing funding and resources to our local communities, nonprofits and higher education institutions, we are developing a statewide network for innovation programming and catalyzing entrepreneurship in all of our communities, both rural and urban.”

“Being named a designated Innovate Alabama Network member is a tremendous honor that will greatly benefit our city,” said Warwick. “In conjunction with our acceptance into the network, Talladega was awarded $100,000 from Innovate Alabama.  These funds are being used to purchase vital new technology, including cameras throughout the city.”

By investing in organizations that are shaping Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Innovate Alabama drives innovation-related activities, encourages collaboration across the state and provides vital seed funding to propel innovation at the community and regional level. Thirty nonprofit entities, 11 communities and municipalities and 10 colleges and universities received the prestigious Innovate Alabama Network Designation.
 

Photo: T.C. McLemore, Kelly McNair, Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield and Interim City Manager Danny Warwick