Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama is partnering with nonpartisan, nonprofit think-and-do tank Heartland Forward to bring its Center for Investment Readiness (CIR) to communities across the state, making Alabama the second state partner. Working with the Alabama Department of Commerce, CIR will give participating communities the data and investor connections they need to compete for capital and position themselves for long-term growth.
“For nearly a decade, my administration has been committed to building a strong economy that creates jobs, attracts new investment and provides opportunities for families in every corner of our state,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Through this partnership with Heartland Forward, we are equipping our communities with the tools, resources and connections they need to compete for investment and achieve lasting economic growth. By working together, we can build on Alabama’s momentum, strengthen our local economies and ensure our state remains a place where businesses can grow and Alabamians can succeed.”
Alongside Heartland Forward, Commerce will serve as a partner and liaison between selected communities, their leaders and the CIR team’s high-level economic support. Additionally, the department will partner with Heartland Forward to host a 2027 event designed to bring investors to communities that are positioned for economic development opportunities, giving those communities a direct line to the capital they need to grow.
“Communities across the heartland have shown that with the right data and investor connections, they can compete for capital with any market in the country,” said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. “We are grateful for Alabama’s leadership in partnering with Heartland Forward. I am confident that together we can unlock new opportunities for growth in communities across Alabama.”
Heartland Forward has consistently recognized Alabama communities for their economic growth. At Heartland Forward’s 2026 Heartland Summit, Huntsville was named a Secret Sauce Community, an honor Birmingham received in 2022. Heartland Forward has also supported entrepreneurs in communities across Alabama and recently hosted an AI convening in Montgomery.
“Alabama’s economic success depends on strong communities that are prepared to turn opportunity into investment and investment into jobs,” said Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. “With CIR, we can help communities across Alabama strengthen their investment strategies, connect with the right partners and showcase the assets that make them attractive places to do business.”
As a founding partner, JPMorganChase has provided support for the launch and expansion of CIR, enabling heartland communities to access insights, technical assistance and networks that support sustained economic growth. Additional founding funders of the Center for Investment Readiness include Edward Jones, the Ford Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.
Additionally, Heartland Forward recently launched joint research on investment readiness with the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility. America’s Next Growth Opportunity: An Investment-Ready Heartland introduces an investment readiness framework and the Investment Readiness Guidebook designed to help micropolitan communities understand the conditions that shape their ability to attract, deploy and sustain investment.
The partnership will help CIR reach its goal to partner with 30 communities and generate $100 million in economic impact by 2030. CIR was initially launched in 10 communities across the heartland: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Enid, Oklahoma; Hutchinson, Kansas; Iowa City, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri; Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; Mount Sterling, Illinois; Perry, Oklahoma; Rockford, Illinois and Wausau, Wisconsin.
To learn more about CIR and get involved, please visit heartlandforward.org/center-for-investment-readiness.
About Heartland Forward
Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.