Web Host AIT (ait.com) announced this week that the company and its founder, Clarence Briggs, were awarded the Economic Visionary Award by the Fayetteville Area Economic Development Corporation.

Started in 1996 in its hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, AIT has had 9 years of sustained profitability, creating a profound influence on its surrounding community. For instance, AIT has created or caused to be created 236 jobs, made a direct capital investment of $5,800,000 on the Maiden Lane property, completed a payroll investment of $22,000,000, and made direct purchases of $8,200,000 from state and local vendors.

AIT's success can partly be attributed by a $450,000 inducement package from Cumberland County, one of the more stronger economic development deals that local government has made. Restoring an abandoned Department of Social Services and downtown building, AIT led the revitalization effort in the Center City.

"Having a major employer downtown is a big help in creating the critical mass that downtown areas everywhere need in re-generating growth," says Bill Martin, president of the Cumberland County Business Council, the community's chief industry-recruiting agency. "AIT's story also shows the value of working with existing companies instead of solely focusing on attracting new companies."