Public forum will feature new Shoals railcar plant

By Staff
Jason Cannon
Franklin County Times
Franklin County businesses and residents will have an opportunity Wednesday to meet officials from one of Northwest Alabama's newest employers.
The Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Russellville are sponsoring a public forum at the A.W. Todd Center with special guest speakers Peter Earl and Richard Mills – officials from National Alabama Corporation (NAC).
Earl is the corporate affairs director for NAC, and Mills will serve as the plant manager for the new railcar facility that will locate in the Barton Industrial Park.
"I think this is a good opportunity for the people and businesses in Franklin County to meet the officials from the newest industry in the Shoals," Mitch Mays, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority said. "It's an opportunity for our existing businesses and business leaders to meet our new neighbors, so to speak."
The new Colbert County facility will employ 1800 people and is expected to produce 10,000 railcars annually.
"This company is going to have a significant impact on Franklin County," Mays said. "Whether it's in Franklin County residents working there or possibly the county attracting one of the plant's suppliers."
There will be a question and answer session before the event concludes. The public is invited to attend the 3 p.m. event.