Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair discusses state’s economic vision, threats from unionization effort [Video]

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair joined Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal last week to discuss her economic professional background, approach to crafting strategy, as well as the ongoing effort by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility outside of Tuscaloosa.

“My experience, I hate to use this number, but 40 years and economic development, primarily at the local level with the Montgomery chamber,” said McNair. “I also have worked at the Department of Commerce twice in my career, once as a project manager and then once leading the research department. So, I have had that statewide experience in the past. I think having the background of a local economic developer is extremely helpful in this position, because you really do understand the challenges and the opportunities at the local level.”

“Quite frankly, so much of the work is done, the site preparation, the community involvement and all the partners that are necessary to …