In 1953, Cullman had a high unemployment rate and its economy needed a boost. A group of business men, nicknamed The Flying-Fifty, went on Cullman’s first recruiting trip to convince King Edward Cigars to come to Cullman. A phone line was connected to a temporary structure, called “The Cigar Shack” on the front lawn of the Cullman County Courthouse. Citizens called in their pledges and enough funds were raised to make the project happen. That was the beginning of Economic Development in Cullman, Alabama.