After three decades of steering economic growth efforts in one of Alabama’s most picturesque counties, Jimmy Durham is stepping down from his position at the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority, triggering a search for a candidate to fill what many consider a dream job opportunity.
Durham’s memorable career saw Fort Payne and DeKalb County recover from the shock implosion of the area’s sock industry, which abruptly threw over 7,500 people out of work around 2010. Practically overnight, the county’s jobless rate surged to 16% amid fears it would shoot much higher.
Today, DeKalb County’s economy is humming, and Durham is confident that its future is bright for his successor.
“It is so rewarding creating jobs for your community and helping to make the companies in your county successful,” he said. “I’ve also enjoyed all the many, many friends that I have made while working in economic development.”
Ask Durham what makes the executive director position at the DeKalb County EDA so special, and he’ll quickly tick off a steady stream of reasons. Read a job description.
For starters, DeKalb is home to spectacular vistas and attractions like Little River Canyon, DeSoto State Park, Lookout Mountain, Buck’s Pocket State Park, Grace’s High Falls, and more.
Along with abundant natural resources and outdoor recreation assets, Interstate 59 stretches for 42 miles, running the length of the county. It’s also home to Northeast Alabama Community College, which is opening a workforce development center.
Major employers include Heil, Nucor, Siemens and The Children’s Place.
In short, it’s a dream opportunity for qualified candidates looking to pursue job-creating projects amid the splendors of nature.
Durham will remain in the position until his successor is on board.
Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama, said Durham has been an influential figure in the state’s economic development community.
“I have known Jimmy for as long as I have been in economic development. He has been an inspiration to a generation of developers and his influence extends far beyond DeKalb County. He has been a mentor to me and countless others,” Searcy said.
“He is a fierce competitor but always willing to provide his insights and wisdom to his peers. Jimmy deserves his retirement, but he leaves a void in Alabama’s economic development community that will be difficult to fill,” he added.
Rewarding career
During his career, Durham has squeezed in a lot of action. A licensed pilot, he developed an airport master plan for Fort Payne and served as executive director of the Alabama International Airport Authority. He put in two years as president of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and taught business classes at Northeast Alabama Community College.
Durham also served as executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals and was instrumental in getting legislation passed that set up the AMHOF Board as well as funding capabilities for the proposed facilities.
In 1994, Durham became executive director of the DeKalb County EDA, a position he has held for the past 30 years.
Around 2010, the bottom fell out. The sock industry began offshoring, costing DeKalb County over 100 small and large manufacturing companies, Durham said. There were fears that the county’s unemployment rate would reach 33%.
“Nothing moved in to take their place. The buildings were just empty,” he said. “It was a hit, but luckily, our existing industries started expanding.”
In just two years, the county’s jobless rate — peaking at 16% — was back down to 3.8%, and 95% of the existing buildings had been occupied by expanding local companies and new industry.
DeKalb County has continually grown in both population and jobs during the past 30 years.
“I’ve loved every project I’ve ever worked on, from small to big,” Durham said. “I’ve just worked on a lot of great projects.”
This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.
