Gateway Initiative Details Campus Plans In Baldwin County

South Baldwin County’s Gateway Initiative intends to build a 150-acre campus at a cost of $214 million at an undetermined location in the county, Business Alabama reports. The organization aims to boost workforce development to deal with staffing problems affecting the growth of the local hospitality industry. It hopes federal and state funding, not new taxes, will help it build an expansive training and housing location in the area of the Foley Beach Express, Foley and Elberta to train prospective workers for restaurants, hotels, resorts and retail businesses in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley. The campus is also to provide transportation and childcare for local students, international workers, college students from out of town or out of state who need housing, and people who need child care on the weekends and after normal business hours. Existing businesses may also be able to benefit via incubation and other resources. While a conservative timetable for the campus to open in spring 2025, training courses are already available through Coastal Alabama Community College and other sources.