Marla Jones, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala.- (FULL VIDEO ON SOUTHERN TORCH FACEBOOK) At today’s meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, a Public Hearing was held to receive comments on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fort Payne and Food City.
In the Memorandum, Food City requested $3 million to locate to Fort Payne.
Food City presented a statement showing their income, their charitable donations to NASCAR and others but stated that a new store would require the investment by the City of Fort Payne.
Several business owners spoke, to a large crowd, in support of two local businesses that will be affected by Food City moving to Fort Payne. The numerous business owners were against the City paying taxpayers money to lure this new business.
Bruce’s Foodland has operated in Fort Payne for decades and is a locally owned grocery store.
Bobby Ledbetter/Twin City Used Cars will be displaced as Food City will be located on the property where they currently operate their business.
After the Public Hearing, the Fort Payne Council voted in a 3-2 vote to bring Food City to Fort Payne. Council President Walter Watson, Councilmember Lynn Locklear Brewer, and Councilmember Phillip Smith voted in favor of Food City. Voting against the motion to pay Food City to locate were Council members, John Smith, and Johnny Eberhart. Mayor Brian Baine had no vote on the issue.
Southern Torched reached out to the Bruce Family who stated that they would continue fighting this, as this advances to the Circuit Court for authorization.
Southern Torch will have the full story in our next edition, coming out in newsstands on Thursday.
