Two industrial sites in DeKalb County will soon be assessed for improvements and expanded job creation potential, thanks to funding from the state’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy program.
The grants announced Thursday are $16,016 for the City of Collinsville and the 72-acre Collinsville Industrial Park and $41,041 for the 56-acre Fyffe Industrial Park. With required matching funds, the total investments are about $30,000 and $70,000, respectively.
The SEEDS Act was created in 2023 as part of the “Game Plan” economic development legislation package from Governor Kay Ivey and lawmakers. It awards grants to local industrial development agencies to create and improve their sites to better recruit businesses.
“Alabama is competing every day for new jobs and investment, and having industrial sites that are ready to meet the needs of growing companies is critical to winning that competition,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “These SEEDS grants will help Collinsville and Fyffe take important steps to prepare their industrial parks.”
The DeKalb awards are part of $15.7 million for 21 projects in the third round of SEEDS funding announced earlier this year. The funds support several surveys and studies required for competitive industrial site-selection projects.
“Preparing industrial sites today means being ready for the jobs and investment opportunities of tomorrow,” Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said. “Through our SEEDS program, we are giving Collinsville and Fyffe the resources they need to strengthen their sites and compete for new economic development projects. I look forward to seeing these investments help open the door to new opportunities for the people of DeKalb County.”
Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter attended both check presentations in his home county Thursday.
“SEEDS is one of the most important tools we have to help rural communities compete for jobs and investment,” Ledbetter said. “Collinsville and Fyffe have strong industrial sites and local leaders doing the work to prepare them. These investments give communities right here in DeKalb County a better chance to compete and win.”
The Collinsville Industrial Park’s location on I-59 is already a major advantage, said Brett Johnson, executive director of DeKalb County EDA.
“Completing this due diligence gives us the information professional site selectors and companies need to seriously evaluate the property and moves Collinsville another step closer to being ready when the right opportunity comes along,” Johnson said.
Previously, the site had obtained other required studies, including a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Geotechnical Report.
“This property is in a great location, and we want to see it put to work creating new opportunities for Collinsville,” Mayor Jeff Chandler said. “We appreciate Governor Kay Ivey, the State of Alabama, and our legislative delegation for investing in our community and helping us take another big step forward.”
The Fyffe Industrial Park includes two city-owned lots with frontage along Alabama Highway 75 and an existing industrial access road.
“Fyffe has a strong industrial base, and this investment helps position the town for what comes next,” Johnson said. “These studies give us the information we need to present the properties with greater confidence and allow professional site selectors to properly evaluate Fyffe alongside competing sites across the country.”
Fyffe Mayor Paul Cagle said he appreciates the state’s investment in the park.
“The Town of Fyffe wants to see new jobs and investment come to our community, and we are thankful for the SEEDS funding made possible through the support of our legislators,” Cagle said. “Economic development is a team sport, and we’re ready to compete and win together.”
Alabama Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, who represents DeKalb County, noted the importance of state and regional collaboration making industrial sites more attractive.
“Economic development is a team effort, and these grants are a good example of state and local partners working together to prepare for opportunity,” Livingston said. “DeKalb County now has stronger industrial sites to market, putting Northeast Alabama in a better position to attract investment and create jobs.”
Courtesy of Made in Alabama
Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
