$195K secured for industrial park
Officials announced Monday that a $195,000 grant has been secured to begin work on the Mike Green Industrial Park. | Nathan Strickland/FCT
More money is on the way for county industrial park projects.
State Sen. Roger Bedford announced Monday that $195,000 had been secured for updates on the Mike Green Industrial Park.
The Mike Green Industrial Park entrance is located on Alabama 243 and sits adjacent to Russellville Municipal Airport.
Officials said the funds are to go towards road construction and site preparation for a potential building.
Mitch Mays, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, said the county must be ready for growth when the economy begins to rebound.
“We have got to have sites that are shovel ready for prospective industries to look at,” Mays said. “I just want to thank Sen. Bedford and Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow for all they have done for us.”
Bedford said the MGIP is located in a prime spot and has access to multiple transport methods.
“This industrial park (MGIP) was the third in the state to be designated as an ‘AdvantageSite’ by state officials,” Bedford said. “This secured funding is 100 percent state issued and it will be used to prepare a pad ready site for a future company or speculative building and be used to extend an existing road along with other aesthetic improvements.
“We have weathered the storm of unemployment and I truly believe jobs are coming to this area more sooner rather than later. The timeline for the Toyota plant to get up and running in Mississippi is closer than you think and I believe that will help bring industry and jobs into Franklin County and a few surrounding cities.”
The 190-acre lot has all the major utilities needed for industries to hit the ground running.
Chairman of the Franklin County Industrial Development Board Clint Dotson said he believes MGIP to be one of the premier spots in Franklin County and this much needed funding should make it even better.
“We are proud of the progress that has been and is being made at the (MGIP) park,” he said. “We look forward to making it the hot spot for industrial development in Franklin County.”
Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore said the funding will be used wisely and he is grateful for all the effort Sen. Bedford has put forth for the growth of industrial development in Franklin County.
“We are in a good situation to take advantage of the upcoming growth in our area. The funding coming in to get these industrial parks ready for business is very much appreciated and is laying the foundation for when the economy turns around,” Moore said. “Sen. Bedford has always been a strong supporter of economic development and understands what it takes to create a product that we can sell to prospective industry.”
The $195,000 grant was secured through the Alabama Bond Commission, on which Sen. Bedford serves as a member.
