Vina spec building complete
Vina Mayor D.W. Franklin and State Sen. Roger Bedford looked over the plaque adorning the outside entrance of the Bedford Building in the Vina Industrial Park.
Officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the completion of the county’s newest spec building in Vina.
“I just hope the next time we all gather here we will be watching people at work,” Vina Mayor D.W. Franklin said.
Completion of the 42,000 square-feet building marked a significant milestone for the town, which purchased the land several years ago for $318,000.
“When someone moves into this building it will help all of us in Franklin County and Marion County,” Franklin said.
Officials believe the location of the building will help attract potential suitors.
Franklin County Development Authority Executive Director Mitch Mays said the spec building in Vina should be particularly attractive to industry since it will only be 19 miles from the new Interstate 22, which makes it the closet spec building in the county to a major thoroughfare.
“Unfortunately, we’re in the middle of an economic downturn and companies aren’t looking at expanding as much as they were six years ago, but we will be in a better position once the economy recovers to market the area to industries,” Mays said. “Coming across a good, suitable building in a good area is hard, but Franklin County has several options, and I’m excited to have this building going up and to start marketing it soon.
“One of the great things about a spec building is that it shaves about four to six months off a company’s construction time if they were going to build the building themselves. All that will be left for a company to do is pour the floor and run the electrical and plumbing.
“Spec buildings allow the company to get into production quicker, pay down their capital cost and this will really affect their bottom line.”
Funding for the $1 million project was secured through the 666 Industrial Development fund from oil and gas royalties in the gulf.
“Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and I feel that this building is important to this area,” said State Sen. Roger Bedford, who the building is named in honor of.
“This is the only building that I would let them put my name on because my family’s roots are so deep here. My grandfather owned a store in Vina and my father and uncle were both born here. My roots go deep in this area and it is a dream come true to have a state-of-the-art industrial park here that will help the whole county be prepared to support industry.”
Mays commended the town of Vina, the Franklin County Commission, Franklin County Industrial Development Board, Franklin County Water Service Authority and Alabama Power for their work on making the park a reality. But, he mentioned one man in particular.
“Clint Dotson made this possible,” Mays said, referring to the longtime industrial development board member who has worked tirelessly to help the county recruit new jobs.
“Without Clint, I don’t know what this would be.”
