Alabama leader urges residents to balance data with people’s needs and take steps that build stronger towns and cities

Alabama, US, 5th November 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, an Alabama-based economic developer and mediator, is raising awareness about the importance of connecting economic data with the real needs of local communities. She points to her years of experience working across Alabama’s 67 counties as evidence that long-term growth depends on both strategy and human connection.

“I’ve been to all 67 counties more than 25 times,” Wadsworth said. “The best way to understand a community is to sit down with people and listen. Numbers matter, but real growth comes from matching data with real lives.”

Wadsworth highlights challenges facing Alabama families, including food insecurity, downtown decline, and job retention in rural counties. According to Feeding America, one in six Alabamians struggles with hunger, with rates even higher in rural areas. “Food insecurity is real in our state,” Wadsworth said. “I try to help by donating directly and by finding grant funds that support local food banks. But this is something we can all take part in.”

Her career has also underscored how resistance to change can slow progress. “Any time you challenge the status quo, someone will push back,” she explained. “But you overcome obstacles by staying visible, consistent, and focused on results.”

Wadsworth believes success is about giving people opportunities without forcing them to leave their hometowns. “Success means creating meaningful opportunities so Alabamians can thrive in their own communities,” she said. “It means stronger economies, revitalized downtowns, and families with a fair shot to succeed.”

Wadsworth encourages residents to take small but meaningful steps to strengthen their communities:

• Shop locally. Buying from local businesses helps keep money in Alabama towns.

• Support food banks. Donate food, funds, or volunteer hours to help address hunger.

• Get involved. Join civic organizations, attend town meetings, or serve on committees that shape policy.

• Listen first. Take time to hear the concerns of neighbors and community leaders.

“Building Alabama is not just about government or business—it’s about all of us,” Wadsworth said. “When members of a community are given the opportunity to collaborate, cities and towns are built.”

About Nicole Jones Wadsworth

Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth is an economic developer, mediator, and commercial real estate professional based in Alabama. She holds a PhD, MBA, and MS in Acquisition and Contract Management, and in 2017 became the first professional in North Alabama to earn the EDAA Leadership Certification. Through her firms—Jones Wadsworth, Jones Wadsworth CRE, and Jones Wadsworth Mediation—she works with businesses, communities, and civic leaders on projects that support economic growth and local development. Wadsworth has visited all 67 counties in Alabama multiple times, combining data-driven strategies with a people-first approach to help strengthen communities across the state.