Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield examined the state’s past, present and future in economic development during his speech at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday.

“I want to give you a sense of where we’ve been, what we’re doing and where we’re headed,” Canfield said.

He referred to cotton, textile, steel and agriculture as several of Alabama’s “principle industries” 75-100 years ago, compared to the state’s burgeoning automobile industry today.

Canfield said in 2013, three Original Equipment Manufacturers – Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz) – produced more than 920,000 vehicles, making Alabama the fourth-largest auto producer in the United States.

“We are continuing to grow that market,” Canfield said.

He said Alabama is also growing in the aerospace sector with the addition of AirBus, an aircraft manufacturer.

More medical and technical research is being conducted at universities and private research institutes in Alabama, too.

“We wanted to capture that research that is being done right here in our state,” Canfield said. “Part of our strategy and economy is technologies being commercialized.”

He described Alabama’s current economy as a much more diverse economy still steeped in agricultural activity and timber and forestry products.

Canfield said a heavy demand is present in the state’s workforce for people with skills applicable in fields such as engineering, advanced manufacturing, automotive, metal/steel, chemical and aviation/space.

“We are placing emphasis on growing skills in education,” he said. “We are charged with finding ways to help people be prepared for careers in the future. We want our children and adults to be successful.”

Canfield talked about Alabama’s economy in the last few years, noting the national recession that has affected employment rates throughout the country.

Canfield said Alabama’s height of employment occurred in December 2007 but fell precipitously over time and hit bottom from January to February 2010 as “one of the longest, deepest recessions in our lifetime” started.

Alabama lost 154,800 jobs, more than southeastern states of a similar size, such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana, he said.

Canfield said not all jobs lost were private-sector jobs.

“Alabama lost 20,200 construction jobs,” Canfield said. “New home construction is just now beginning to pick up again.”

Canfield said in January 2010, about 1.84 million Alabamians were working, compared to about 1.92 million in August 2014.

The state has regained 83,700 of the jobs lost during the recession, and Canfield said efforts to make employment gains statewide would continue.

“Perhaps the recession was a signal of an economic reset,” Canfield said. “We’re not going to stop in the Department of Commerce, and we’re not going to slow down. I stress to you to continue to seek ways to work collaboratively, have a goal and have a plan.”

Canfield was appointed as director of the Alabama Development Office (now the Alabama Department of Commerce) by Gov. Robert Bentley in 2011.

Before joining the department, Canfield served in the Alabama House of Representatives as chairman of the Commerce & Small Business Committee.

Canfield is the chairman of the Alabama Economic Development Alliance (AEDA).