MOBILE — Innovate Alabama held a ceremony at Innovation Portal in Mobile on Wednesday, Aug. 5, recognizing 10 organizations, municipalities and institutions within the South Alabama region.

Innovate Alabama is the state’s first statewide public-private partnership with a focus on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, providing entrepreneurs in Alabama with resources to help them grow. Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama, said Wednesday’s event was about celebrating entrepreneurship and their innovation ecosystem across Alabama, recognizing the work that’s being done for technology and entrepreneurship throughout the state.

Groups from both Baldwin and Mobile counties were recognized during Wednesday’s ceremony, including Baldwin County Community and Economic Development Foundation, City of Daphne, City of Mobile, Clarity, Eastern Shore Chamber Foundation, Innovation Portal, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Mobile County, United Way of Southwest Alabama and University of South Alabama.

The event was part of Innovate Alabama’s statewide convening series “Connecting Alabama: Igniting Innovation,” which highlights organizations and partnerships advancing innovation and economic development through regionally tailored approaches.

“I think those communities are really the backbone of the state and the organizations that are really making the mission happen,” Crutchfield said. “They’re living the mission day to day. We are simply enablers that give them the tool to do that, but really they’re the ones that are empowered to do the work, so those relationships are really important and it’s really important that they’re leaning in and embracing the three pillars that we focus on: access to capital, talent attraction and retention and outdoor recreation.”

State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) was in attendance, saying progress doesn’t stop at county lines, adding that communities advance through collaboration and through shared priorities and neutral support.

“We have a strong foundation of talent, of education and workforce opportunities, of civic and business leadership, of industry and tourism,” Simpson said. “Today is about strengthening those connections among those assets. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues in the legislature to support policies that encourage growth, investment and opportunity across our entire region.”