Alabama, US, 27th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Dr Nicole Wadsworth, a site selector, economic development consultant, and one of Alabama’s most committed community-builders, is using her latest feature interview to issue a clear call to action: “If you want your town to grow, you have to show up.”

Wadsworth, who has visited all 67 counties in Alabama more than 25 times, shares insights from her hands-on work in rural development, job creation, and infrastructure planning in a new Q&A titled “Nicole Wadsworth: Building Alabama, One Community at a Time.”

The piece spotlights her career helping cities attract investment, restoring historic buildings, and supporting local businesses—not from behind a desk, but by listening directly to residents.

“Every good idea I’ve pursued started with a conversation,” says Wadsworth. “Usually with someone in the community who saw a need or had a story to tell.”

Her work includes leading the I Shop Local campaign with the Small Business Administration, revitalising job sites in once-abandoned factories, and helping secure grants for food banks and civic infrastructure.

Reclaiming Rural Strength Through Practical Involvement

According to the Economic Innovation Group, 52% of rural counties nationwide have lost population since 2010. In Alabama, 44 counties are economically distressed, and 1 in 6 residents faces food insecurity (Feeding America, 2024).

Wadsworth believes reversing these trends begins with consistent, on-the-ground action—something any citizen can take part in.

“The best economic insights don’t always come from experts,” she explains. “I’ve learned more from farmers, barbers, and retired teachers than consultants with perfect pitch decks.”

Her experience backs this up. A failed early-career project taught her that top-down planning doesn’t work unless people feel included.

“That failure changed how I lead,” she says. “Now, every major initiative starts with local voices.”

What You Can Do in Your Community

Dr Wadsworth encourages people across Alabama—and beyond—to take small, consistent steps that lead to large-scale transformation:

1. Visit Places in Person:
   Walk the high street. Talk to small business owners. Sit in on town meetings.

2. Prioritise Local Spending:
   Support businesses in your county. It builds tax revenue and strengthens job security.

3. Volunteer Time or Skills:
   Help a local nonprofit write a grant, clean up a town park, or assist with digital tools.

4. Support Food Banks:
   Donate or connect them to funding opportunities. Rural areas often lack adequate support.

5. Advocate for Digital Visibility:
   Encourage local shops and services to create a basic online presence. It makes a measurable difference.

“I believe in showing up,” Wadsworth says. “That’s how trust is built, and that’s how change begins.”

About Dr Nicole Wadsworth

Dr Nicole Wadsworth is an Alabama-based economic development consultant, certified site selector, and commercial real estate strategist. With four advanced degrees and more than two decades of experience, she works with municipalities, industries, and residents to build resilient, community-focused development strategies. She is a Certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Official, holds an EDAA Leadership Certification, and serves on several civic and historical boards. Her work spans food access, workforce development, rural revitalisation, and infrastructure growth. Above all, she believes in leading with faith, family, and service.