Ed Bushaw

FOLEY - The Gateway Initiative had some exciting news at the inaugural AlabamaWorks! Innovator Awards, which were presented by Governor Kay Ivey and Deputy Director of Commerce and AIDT Director Ed Castile during the AlabamaWorks! Virtual Conference. Ed Bushaw with the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Gateway Initiative was recognized and awarded during the ceremony.

Bushaw received the Innovator Award for his research and initiatives developed in order to address the region’s workforce supply to meet the needs of the growing hospitality and tourism industry in the region. Through collaboration with business and industry officials, Bushaw helped bring the first ever Hospitality and Tourism apprenticeship programs to Alabama, programs which have now taken off.

Bushaw’s efforts to think in innovative ways to solve workforce challenges in his community are what the Innovator Awards were designed to highlight.

“As CEO of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce I could not be prouder of Ed and the entire team of people dedicated to building the economic strength of our communities,” said Donna Watts. “This award is also shared with the team at Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. Greg Alexander and the leadership of our sister chamber joined with us to create a unique partnership centered around workforce development and improved quality of life for all our citizens. Another first for Chambers of Commerce in Alabama!”

According to AlabamaWorks!, the recipients of the award are “visionaries, outside-of-the-box thinkers and problem solvers.”

“The workforce challenges that we face today are not the same ones that we faced six months ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has completely reshaped the workforce landscape,” said Gov. Ivey. “The State of Alabama is relying on those who are leading the charge by implementing innovative solutions in their cities, counties and regions to further economic and workforce development.”