What Morgan County Economic Development Association does

Morgan County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) is a 501(c)-style non-profit economic development organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Decatur, Alabama, serving a county of approximately 120,000 residents across seven municipalities. Its core function is industrial recruitment and existing-industry retention for prospective and current manufacturing tenants, delivered through a four-person staff (President/CEO Jeremy Nails, Project Manager Marley Schmid, Research Administrator Cindy Vinson, and Financial Affairs lead Sharla Stewart). Core services include the Business Advantages Program (tax incentives, TVA Programs, transportation, utilities, workforce), an Available Property Listings directory across five industrial parks (Morgan Center Business Park, Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park, State Docks, Hartselle Industrial Park, George Crawford Industrial Site), and jointly-operated Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority infrastructure on the Tennessee River.

MCEDA's underlying technology is a static informational web platform (mceda.org) hosting available-sites and buildings data, demographic and workforce statistics, an industrial directory of 124 member organizations, and a published annual report dating back to 2008-2009. The organization does not offer APIs or software products. Its revenue model combines tiered membership dues ($150 to $1,000+ annually across four tiers) from government entities, individuals, industries, and businesses; industrial-park and Port Authority leasing revenue; and state appropriations for specific infrastructure projects (e.g., $500,000 from Alabama's fiscal 2027 General Fund for ULA dock improvements). MCEDA reports through an 18-member Board of Directors elected by its membership, with no parent company or external equity holders.

The customer base spans Fortune 500/Global 500 manufacturers (GE Appliances, Boeing, 3M, Nucor, Air Products & Chemicals, Daikin America, Ascend Performance Materials, Toray Composite Materials America), 15 international companies, and aerospace/defense logistics users of the Port Authority (notably United Launch Alliance). The go-to-market is a hybrid of enterprise field sales (President/CEO and Project Manager personally engaging prospective industries with customized proposals) and community-led relationship management through annual meetings, an existing-industry golf tournament, and ongoing municipal partnerships across Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville, Trinity, Somerville, Falkville, and Eva.

Name

Morgan County Economic Development Association

Legal name

Morgan County Economic Development Association

Website

https://mceda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Morgan County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) is a non-profit economic development organization in Decatur, Alabama that recruits new industry and supports existing manufacturers across five industrial parks and the jointly-operated Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority on the Tennessee River.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Tiered annual membership program with Individual & Non-profit ($150), Contributing ($250-499), Supporting ($500-999), and Sustaining ($1,000+) levels. MCEDA is a non-profit that relies on membership from government entities, individuals, industries and businesses for its funding.
2. Port Authority operations: MCEDA jointly operates the Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority (Mallard-Fox Creek Port and State Docks) which generates revenue from port users including United Launch Alliance and other river shippers; receives state appropriations such as the $500K for ULA dock improvements.
3. Industrial park leasing: Operates multiple industrial parks (Morgan Center Business Park, Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park, Hartselle Industrial Park, George Crawford Industrial Site, State Docks) with available sites and buildings for prospective industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Morgan County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) is a non-profit, membership-based economic development organization that recruits new industry and supports the retention and expansion of existing manufacturers in Morgan County, Alabama. It delivers site-selection, business assistance, workforce, tax-incentive, TVA Programs, and transportation/utility coordination services; jointly operates the Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority (Mallard-Fox Creek Port with RORO dock and State Docks) on the Tennessee River; and manages five industrial parks (Morgan Center Business Park, Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park, Hartselle Industrial Park, George Crawford Industrial Site, and State Docks). The organization is funded primarily through tiered annual memberships from government entities, individuals, industries, and businesses.

Product overview

Morgan County Economic Development Association (MCEDA) is a non-profit economic development organization offering a single unified platform of economic development services for Morgan County, Alabama (population ~120,000). The core offering is the Business Advantages Program, which bundles tax incentives, business assistance, TVA Programs, transportation, utilities, and workforce information. This is complemented by the Available Property Listings module covering the Morgan Center Business Park, Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park, State Docks, Hartselle Industrial Park, and George Crawford Industrial Site. The Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority operates the Mallard-Fox Creek Port and State Docks facilities, providing Tennessee River shipping capabilities. Supporting services include the Facts & Maps demographics and research offering, Quality of Life information, the MCEDA Membership Program, an Annual Report publication, and an online Membership Directory of existing industries and member organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Advantages Program A suite of business attraction and retention services for prospective and existing industries in Morgan County, covering tax incentives, business assistance, TVA Programs, transportation infrastructure, utilities, and workforce information including workforce stats, regional workforce, and workforce training.
• Available Property Listings A directory of available sites and buildings in Morgan County, including detailed listings for the Morgan Center Business Park, Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park, State Docks, Hartselle Industrial Park, and George Crawford Industrial Site.
• Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority Operates the Mallard-Fox Creek Port (with roll-on/roll-off dock for United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket shipments) and State Docks facilities on the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama, supporting industrial shipping and logistics for port users.
• Facts & Maps Research Service Demographic data, maps, top employers list, Fortune 500 companies, Global 500 companies, international companies (home to 15), and new/expanding industries information for Morgan County.
• Quality of Life Information Information on K-12 and higher education, healthcare, cost of living, recreation, climate, and area links for Morgan County residents and prospective businesses.
• MCEDA Membership Program A non-profit membership organization offering tiered memberships (Individual & Non-profit $150, Contributing $250-$499, Supporting $500-$999, Sustaining $1,000+) for government entities, individuals, industries, and businesses. Benefits include the annual report, annual existing industry golf tournament and dinner, membership directory listing, and annual meeting.

Quantifiable outcome

• $28 million GE Appliances factory upgrade investment
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVA is featured prominently as a community partner on the MCEDA homepage and listed on the membership directory (Huntsville office, 307 Clinton Avenue West). TVA Programs are a key economic development offering, and TVA is referenced in MCEDA's Business Advantages section.
• Morgan County CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorgan County Commission is a community partner and MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 668. Coordinates with MCEDA on county-wide economic development policy and infrastructure for prospective industries.
• City of DecaturflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Decatur is a community partner and MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 488. As Decatur is the largest municipality and home to MCEDA headquarters, this is a central municipal partnership for economic development.
• City of HartsellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Hartselle is a community partner and MCEDA member located at 811 Chestnut Street NW. Hartselle is one of seven municipalities within Morgan County.
• Decatur UtilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecatur Utilities is a community partner and MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 2232. Provides utility infrastructure critical to industrial recruitment in Morgan County.
• Hartselle UtilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHartselle Utilities is a community partner and MCEDA member. Provides utility services for the City of Hartselle within Morgan County.
• Joe Wheeler EMCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoe Wheeler EMC is a community partner and MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 460, Trinity, AL 35673. Provides electrical service across parts of Morgan County.
• Decatur-Morgan County Port AuthorityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCEDA jointly operates the Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority which manages the Mallard-Fox Creek Port and State Docks facilities on the Tennessee River. Port Authority President and CEO is also MCEDA President/CEO Jeremy Nails.
• Port of Decatur/Parker TowingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPort of Decatur/Parker Towing is an MCEDA member located at 500 Market Street NW, Decatur, AL 35601, with P.O. Box 20908, Tuscaloosa, AL. Provides river towing and port services through the Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority facilities.
• Calhoun Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalhoun Community College is an MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 2216. Key workforce training partner supporting higher education and workforce development for industrial recruitment and existing industry support.
• United Launch AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Launch Alliance is an MCEDA member located at 100 Atlas Avenue in Decatur. Key aerospace customer using the Port Authority RORO dock for transporting Vulcan rocket parts via the SpaceShip vessel, supported by $500K state appropriation for dock improvements.
• Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce is an MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 2003, 515 6th Avenue NE. Complementary economic and business development organization partnering on regional growth initiatives.
• Decatur-Morgan County TourismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecatur-Morgan County Tourism is an MCEDA member located at P.O. Box 2349. Partners on quality of life and regional marketing, supporting recruitment of industries and workforce by promoting community amenities.
• University of Alabama HuntsvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Alabama Huntsville is an MCEDA member located at 301 Sparkman Drive. Higher education partner supporting workforce development and talent pipeline for Morgan County employers.
• Alabama Department of Workforce – Decatur Career CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlabama Department of Workforce – Decatur Career Center is an MCEDA member located at 1819 Bassett Avenue SE. Workforce development partner providing labor market intelligence and recruitment services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce: Coastal Alabama economic development organization combining chamber and EDO functions, with significant emphasis on port-driven industrial growth. Comparable in function and broader in geographic and resource scale than MCEDA.
• Birmingham Business Alliance: Regional economic development organization serving the Birmingham metro area with similar industrial recruitment, site selection, and member services. Operates at a substantially larger scale and across a broader geography than MCEDA.
• Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce: Capital-city regional chamber providing economic development, advocacy, and business services across central Alabama. Mirrors MCEDA's combined chamber/EDO role but at a larger metro scale and different geography.
• Alabama Department of Commerce: State-level economic development agency that recruits industry and administers business incentives across Alabama. Operates at a much larger scale than MCEDA and frequently partners with — or competes against — county-level EDOs on major projects.

Direct peers

• Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce: Local chamber serving the same Morgan County geography and listed as an MCEDA member and community partner. Provides directly overlapping business and community development services and is the most natural like-for-like comparison for chamber-style functions.
• Alabama State Port Authority: State port authority operating the Port of Mobile on the Gulf Coast. Directly comparable to MCEDA's joint operation of the Decatur-Morgan County Port Authority: both manage port infrastructure for industrial shipping and logistics and pursue cargo-driven industrial recruitment.
• Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce: Largest regional chamber in North Alabama delivering economic development, business recruitment, and workforce services for Madison County. Highly comparable given geographic proximity, overlapping aerospace/manufacturing base, and similar industrial park and incentive offerings.

Others

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Federal corporation providing power and economic development across the Tennessee Valley, including Morgan County. Functions as a strategic ecosystem partner referenced in MCEDA's Business Advantages and a broader regional economic development actor rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MorganCountyEDA
• Facebookfacebook.com/morgancoeda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/morgan-county-economic-development-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Morgan County Economic Development Association