The Life Science cluster is an emerging cluster in the Southeast Gas Region, particularly in the northern area. One of the main assets for this industry are the educational institutions in the area, most notably Auburn University. The Harrison School of Pharmacy is on the Auburn campus and the school’s research focuses on drug discovery and development, health outcomes research, and pharmacy practice. Additionally, the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is located in Dothan in the southern area of the Southeast Gas region.
Talent
- Nearly 1 million population in the region
- Labor force of more than 430,000
- 10,714 degrees awarded in the region related to Life Science with 3,100 of those in the health care field (2017)
- 911 degrees awarded in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (2017)
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) located in Dothan
- Existing pool of high-demand workers for life science businesses
Thriving Business
- Southeast Gas region firm Baxter completed a $270 million expansion of its facility, which now employs 350 people
- Concentration of Medical Device Manufacturing (with a Location Quotient of 3.04)
- Strong Manufacturing sector
Area Assets
- Affordable labor cost
- Interstate highways provide for logistical advantage
- Excellent vocational training
- 22 colleges & universities in the region
- Engineering related programs in area
- Availability of fully served industrial sites
- Plentiful water and wastewater resources
- Affordable cost of living
Related Life Science Existing Pool of High-Demand Occupations, 2018
Southeast Gas Region and Subregions
The Southeast Gas region comprises 18 counties in southeast Alabama that are served by Southeast Gas. These counties are Barbour, Butler, Chambers, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Escambia, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Russell. Given the diversity of this territory, Garner Economics divided the region into two subregions: North and South. The map above illustrates the subregions for the purposes of the Garner Economics Target Industries Study. This subdivision was accomplished based on industry clusters by county.
