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BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 11, 2024) – The City of West Point announced via a press release that it has received funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to attend Retail Academy, a retail and real estate educational program hosted by Retail Strategies. This training opportunity will take place on Oct. 9 at the Retail Strategies office in Opelika, Alabama.

The Retail Academy comes at an opportune time for West Point, as the city looks to capitalize on its recent growth and the influx of thousands of daily commuters to the nearby Kia plant. This specialized training will equip city officials with the tools and knowledge needed to attract new retail businesses, enhancing economic development in the area.

During the Retail Academy program, West Point officials will receive:

4Comprehensive consumer and market data analysis.

4Training on identifying ideal real estate for retail development within West Point

4An overview of various databases for finding retail real estate and industry professionals.

4Practical training on making proactive outreach to expanding businesses, brokers, and developers.

4Guidance on preparation for retail real estate trade shows and events.

Meghan Richardson, Economic Development Director for the City of West Point GA

“We are grateful for the USDA’s support in funding our participation in the Retail Academy. This training will be instrumental in helping us leverage our city’s growth and the economic potential of our commuter workforce. We look forward to applying these skills to attract new retail businesses and support our existing ones.”

Meghan Richardson, Economic Development Director for the City of West Point.

“West Point is in a growing area of Georgia,” said Mill Graves, Senior Director of Community Partnerships for Retail Strategies. “During Retail Academy our team will deliver a retail attraction strategy, giving the city the tools and resources they need to bring in new retail and restaurant businesses. We’ll also advise on which real estate in the city can be developed or redeveloped for retail.”

The city of West Point aims to foster a thriving business environment and enhancing the quality of life. In the release, it argues the “Retail Academy will play a crucial role in shaping the city’s economic development strategies moving forward.”