The University of Alabama and the Mercedes-Benz plant are two of the driving forces behind economic development in Tuscaloosa county locally…Rob Robertson says manufacturing is critical to the area’s future. He says there has to be a greater focus on workforce to help support manufacturing at places like Mercedes….That’s where Robertson says the University of Alabama plays a role a campus. He says the community has yet to take full advantage. “We have the largest school of engineering in the state. We are going to work to bring more of that out and develop the knowledge base sector of our local economy,” and by doing so Robertson says more out of state students are likely to remain in Tuscaloosa county. Sources: WVTM-NBC 13, WVTM