Economic developers may be more revved up about the upcoming Indy Grand Prix of Alabama than the racers themselves. The Alabama Development Office, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance all have plans to entertain prospects when the race comes to the Barber Motorsports Park on April 9-11.

Gene Hallman, chief executive of the Bruno Event Team and Zoom Motorsports, said economic developers have planned a dinner inside the museum during the race weekend. They also plan to have tents and areas for entertaining companies. “In recruiting, getting the decision makers here is often the biggest challenge,” Hallman said.

“When you’ve got a hook like the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, it makes it that much easier.”

With Grand Prix Comes Economic Development Opportunity Economic developers for corporations also are planning to use the race for recruitment, Hallman said. “It makes perfect sense to me that the kind of companies that would be a good fit for Birmingham would be fans of IRL and open-wheel racing,” said Greg Barker, Alabama Power’s head of economic development.

Barker said his team is working with BBA to recruit at the event. He said automotive companies are a natural draw at the event. Also many firms are considering projects related to the addition of the C-Class at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance and the construction of the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. Barker said executives of aerospace companies are also being targeted.

Several site selection consultants are on the guest list as well.

– This article originally appeared in Developing Alabama, a publication of the Alabama Development Office.