From Tribune Staff Reports
ST CLAIR COUNTY – The cities of Springville and Moody will receive a combined $2.5 million dollars as part of a statewide grant project announced by Governor Kay Ivey on Monday, February 26. The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) was passed by the legislature last year as part of the governor’s Game Plan package of economic development bills.
“SEEDS represents an important tool that will allow us to keep winning those economic development projects that trigger lasting impacts for Alabama citizens,” said Governor Ivey. “The awarding of the first grants under the program represents a milestone in our efforts to make sure Alabama remains competitive for game-changing growth projects.”
“I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey and the State Legislators, especially Senator Lance Bell and Representative Jim Hill, for their foresight and determination to help the smaller communities in Alabama reach our full potential,” said Mayor Joe Lee of Moody. “This grant will help us overcome the final missing piece of our puzzle to provide a commerce park where the citizens of Moody and surrounding communities can find gainful employment.”
The City of Moody will receive $407,902 in grant funding to help fund extending sewer infrastructure into the recently developed Kelly Creek Commerce Park. Plans for the commerce park were approved in March of last year.
Last October, the Springville City Council approved a cooperative agreement with St. Clair County to purchase and develop Riley Farm Commerce Park, the first rail-served commerce part in the county. The property is located near the WalMart interchange on I-59.
The partnership between Springville and St. Clair County received $2.1 million from the SEEDS grant to assist in the purchase of the property, which is expected to bring as many as 1500 jobs to the area once completed.
Speaking to the Trussville Tribune, Springville Mayor Dave Thomas talked about the potential of the development.
“The SEEDS program was originally only created for infrastructure and then they changed the rules to allow for acquisition,” Thomas said. “That saves a million dollars for us and another million for the county.”
Thomas said he expects the city and county to apply for another SEEDS grant in the future to help with infrastructure on the project.
“When it’s fully built out, they’re talking about 1500 jobs, potentially,” Thomas said. “That’s not all at the commerce park but it includes the economic impact of the park. That’s huge! We are focusing on projects that have a generational impact,” he added.
“We are delighted that two of our sites in St. Clair County were selected and thankful to Governor Ivey and the State Legislators. We also want to thank Mayor Lee and Mayor Thomas for their dedication to providing new job opportunities in their communities,” said Stan Batemon, Chairman of the St. Clair County Commission. “These two commerce parks, like those in Steele and Pell City, will be beneficial to all the citizens of the surrounding communities by providing good job opportunities,” Batemon added.
A total of $30.1 million in SEEDS funding will be matched with $38.4 million in local funds at 29 different industrial sites encompassing nearly 8,400 acres according to a release from the Governor’s office. The program was initially funded with $40 million and requires local matching funds. The grants were open to all communities in the state seeking to develop or evaluate industrial property, purchase property for industrial use or upgrade infrastructure for industrial development.