Portera & Associates
Portera & Associates

Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans.

Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans. Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans. Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans.

Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans.

Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans. Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans. Helping Rural Communities Make Progress, Not Just Plans.

Our Unique Approach

Strategic Planning for Progress

We develop strategic plans for economic and workforce development that are concise, flexible, and built for execution, not shelf life.

Implementation Support

Strategic plans don't build communities, people do. We work with your schools, businesses, and community to implement your plan and make real progress.

What We Do

Economic Development

Industrial Recruitment

Workforce Development

Rural economic development is about helping communities develop a plan, do the work, and make progress.


We combine proven strategies, stakeholder engagement, and practical implementation support to ensure every plan leads to measurable progress. 


  • Community Visioning
  • Strategic Planning & Facilitation Support 
  • Implementation & Funding Support


Workforce Development

Industrial Recruitment

Workforce Development

We help communities align training, education, and employment systems so students and residents can find local training and careers, and employers can find skilled, motivated local talent.


  • Workforce Needs & Opportunities Assessment
  • Regional Training Center  Development
  • Apprenticeship Programs
  • Implementation Support
  • Workforce Branding & Communication


Industrial Recruitment

Industrial Recruitment

Industrial Recruitment

We help communities identify their strengths, prepare their communities, and tell their stories to attract investment and quality jobs.


  • Asset Mapping & Competitive Analysis
  • Industrial Recruitment Strategy
  • Workforce Alignment
  • Community Readiness & Leadership Alignment
  • Implementation support


About Us

Dr. Malcolm Portera

Dr. Malcolm Portera

Dr. Portera, the former President of Mississippi State University and Chancellor of the University of Alabama System, has been involved in economic development for the past 40+ years.  Dr. Portera helped to recruit industrial development projects that have resulted in over $15 billion of capital investment in the Southeast U.S.  These projects include Nissan-Mississippi, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, Hyundai-Alabama, Mercedes-Benz Alabama, Victor Company of Japan, and several others. 

Andy Portera

Andy Portera

  

Andy, an attorney by training, has worked with economic development organizations, city and county governments, and higher education partners since co-founding Portera & Associates in 2014. Andy’s consulting practice focuses on rural communities and organizations throughout the Southeast US. In addition, Andy has taken several partners on international recruiting trips to Germany, Japan, and South Korea. 

How We Are Different From Other Firms

  1. We're practical. Every plan is unique and built for execution, not shelf life.
  2. We don't just drop a plan in your lap and say, "Good luck." We help you implement your plan and create momentum.
  3. We connect the dots. We bring together chambers, schools, and businesses to move in the same direction.
  4. We're results-driven. Our success is measured in real progress, not pages.

Contact US

Some of the Partners We've Helped

  • Cleveland-Bolivar County, MS
  • East Mississippi Business Development Corporation
  • Kemper County, MS
  • Golden Triangle Development LINK
  • Pickens County, Alabama
  • Meridian Community College
  • East Mississippi Community College
  • Mississippi Community College Board
  • Marshall University 
  • Tennessee Technological University 

"The money we spent with Portera is one of the best investments this county has ever made."


     - Johnny Whitsett, Kemper County, MS Board of Supervisors.


"Thank you to the Porteras for investing their time, talents, and energy into our community - listening to, leading, and guiding our business leaders and elected leaders in collaborative, common-sense (and COOL) growth! 


     -Bill Hannah, President& CEO of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.


Contact Us

Let's Talk About How We Can Help Your Town

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Portera & Associates, LLC

14 Honeysuckle Lane, Mountain Brook, AL 35213

(205) 807-9090

Message us on WhatsApp

Portera & Associates, LLC

(205) 807-9090 andy@porteraassociates.com

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