U.S. Census figures released Wednesday show Calhoun County's population shrank last year, extending a 2011 trend that, if it continues, could stifle the area's economic growth. The census estimates show the county lost 2,037 residents between 2010 and 2012. The population decline comes after growth in the previous decade and corresponds with the loss of hundreds of military industry-related jobs in the area. Some economic experts say the county can withstand a prolonged population decline and still attract industry due to its prime location and skilled workforce. Other experts, however, say a steep population decline could cause interested industries to look elsewhere in the state. According to the Census Bureau’s estimates, the county's population decreased to 117,296 in 2012 from 118,572 in 2010, a loss of 1,276 residents. The county lost an estimated 757 residents in 2011. In contrast, the county grew by more than 6,000 residents in the previous decade. Population estimates for all of the county’s cities and towns declined, too, except for Weaver. That city saw its population rise by 30 residents, about 1 percent. The county's population decline is in contrast to the state average, which had a gain of more than 42,000 residents in 2012. Robert Robicheaux, chairman of the department of marketing, industrial distribution and economics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said a continued steady population decline could hurt the county's economic prospects. "It's difficult for a community like that to attract new businesses," Robicheaux said. "Finance and retail, they don't come in when they see a recent population decline and a decline in buying power." Don Hopper, executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, said the county could still lure in new industry despite a significant population decline, however. "Companies are going to look at what the workforce is, if there is a trainable workforce," Hopper said. "We continue to have a real good workforce ... we have a really good skill base for manufacturing and that's the companies we continue to talk to." Skilled labor is still available, however, due to a loss of manufacturing jobs in recent years. The county has lost hundreds of military industry jobs in the past two years, including at the Anniston Army Depot, due to the drawdowns of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and federal budget cuts. Hundreds more jobs have been lost as work has ended at the depot's chemical weapons incinerator. Keivan Deravi, economist with Auburn University Montgomery, said the county's population woes are likely directly related to the local economy. "A loss of jobs is the main reason why the population is declining," Deravi said. "Generally speaking, population growth has to be driven by economic growth." Robicheaux agreed that economic factors are likely the main cause of the county's recent population decline. "A setback in the economy caused some people to relocate," Robicheaux said. "Sure, many didn't want to have to move but did." Deravi said a significant population drop could give some companies pause when considering locating in the county. "Population certainly plays a critical role ... its critical to have a certain mass of people that gives businesses the ability to prosper and gives incoming businesses a workforce to draw from," Deravi said. Steve Sewell, executive vice president for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, which works to attract and maintain industry in the state, said the county will continue to see opportunities for economic development even if the population declines further. "The population will still be ample and Calhoun County, with its strategic position between Birmingham and Atlanta and proximity to major manufacturing facilities like Honda, its going to get looks," Sewell said. "I don't think there will be cause for alarm there in terms of economic development." The latest census statistics indicate a shrinking county population, but the numbers will not impact metropolitan and transportation planning in the area, at least for the foreseeable future, said Jack Plunk, principal planner with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission. The commission provides multiple services to its member local governments, including funding for road improvements and transportation planning support through its Metropolitan Planning Organization. Plunk said the commission regularly uses census population data in its work, but only exact population counts, not estimates. The last exact population count came with the 2010 census, with the next count coming in the 2020 census. "Right now, we'll be sticking with what our 2010 population is," Plunk said. "Our population went up by 6,000 people according to the 2010 census and that's good for the MPO ... but when 2020 comes, then we'll have to take those numbers." Staff Writer Patrick McCreless: 256-235-3561. On Twitter @PMcCreless_Star.

Calhoun County 2012 population estimates • Calhoun County: 117,296 • Anniston: 22,749 • Oxford: 21,275 • Piedmont: 4,799 • Hobson City: 762 • Jacksonville: 12,430 • Ohatchee: 1,164 • Weaver: 3,068

JACKSON, Tenn. — It used to be Jacksonville State was a virtual lock whenever its first game came up in the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament. It’s not that way lately. The Gamecocks dropped their tournament opener for the second year in a row Wednesday, falling to fifth-seeded Eastern Kentucky 11-2 at The Ballpark at Jackson. The Colonels (21-32) rocked three JSU pitchers for 18 hits, including four doubles and three home runs, to snap a six-game OVC Tournament losing streak and move into the winner’s bracket for the first time since 2010. Their starter, Brent Cobb, who the Gamecocks (32-25) roughed up in their regular-season series opener two weeks ago, scattered nine hits over eight innings. “I think they whipped us in every way that you can whip us,” JSU coach Jim Case said. “They scored three on us in the third and it just seemed like it kind of ignited them. “There have been a lot of times during the year where when that happened with us we’ve been able to throw up zeroes and give ourselves a chance to come back. We couldn’t do that today. They beat us in every way you could beat us, but you also have to take your hat off to them because I thought their pitcher did a really nice job.” A year ago here the Gamecocks lost their tournament opener to Southeast Missouri, then won their next two before being eliminated by Austin Peay on a wild pitch in the 11th inning. Before that, they had won all eight of their OVC Tournament openers — by an average margin of nearly eight runs — including three that came decisively against EKU (15-0, 8-1 and 19-7). Now, a team with lesser tournament experience than the one a year ago will be looking to avoid elimination before either of the top two seeds play their first game today against third-seeded Belmont. Junior right-hander Taylor Shields (8-2, 3.75) is scheduled to start in what will be their only game of the day. “I want to look not so much as what’s going to happen the rest of the tournament but what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Case said. “In my mind there were three opportunities during the year where I felt like we had an opportunity to throw up our hands and say, ‘Uncle.’ “I felt like every time we got our backs to the wall I think we responded pretty well. So, just looking at it from the game tomorrow I think we’ll have an outstanding chance to come out and play really well. If you ask at this point do you think you have an opportunity to win the tournament, I think it’d be extremely hard to do. But the only way you can do that is win one game at a time, so there’s no reason for us to even worry about that.” The Colonels jumped out to a 6-0 lead against JSU starter Casey Antley. Sean Hagan hit a three-run homer in the third inning that opened with a leadoff walk. Kyle Nowlin, one of three Colonels with three hits, delivered a two-run single in the fourth and Antley was charged with the run in the fifth after leaving with runners at second and third. “My best didn’t beat their guy’s best,” Antley said. “I gave it my all; that’s about all I can do. The baseball gods don’t like leadoff walks; it didn’t turn out in our favor. It’s one of those things that can’t happen and I have to do better. Hopefully, I get a chance to rebound.” Later in the game, Bryan Solomon hit a solo homer and Luke Wurzelbacher hit a three-run homer in the ninth after the Colonels reloaded following the last of the eight double plays the two teams turned in the game. Every player in the EKU lineup had at least one hit. “I thought that was our best approach to the plate all season,” EKU coach Jason Stein said. “We talked a little bit about it yesterday at our practice. Casey is a heavy mix guy and if we use the middle of the field with him, look for pitches, that type approach enabled us to put up all those hits and get him out of the game, because he really shut us down the first game in conference play. So, hats off to our hitters to make an adjustment.” The Gamecocks mounted their only threat in the home fifth when they put together four straight hits at the bottom of the order to score two runs, with Gavin Golsan and Stephen Bartlett driving them home. But Cobb then retired the top three hitters in the lineup in order to avoid further damage. Eddie Mora-Loera had three hits for JSU, extending his hitting streak to a season-best 12 games, while Bartlett had two. “We were scrapping,” Bartlett said. “We were fighting, staying within ourselves and passing the bat back to the next guy. We were doing our job. Losing the first game isn’t what you want, but we like to compete. I think we’re going to scratch and claw through it.” Sports Writer Al Muskewitz: 256-235-3577. On Twitter @almusky_star.