Story by Donna Thornton donna@southerntorch.com
The City of Henagar received a SEEDS – Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy – Industrial Development grant from the State of Alabama, to help prepare a site at the corner of Andrew Lee Drive and Lake Drive for future industry.
The idea behind the SEEDS Act grant program is to help local governments get potential industrial sites to the “shovel-ready” stage as an incentive for industrial prospects.
Veronica Crock from the Department of Commerce presented the check for $475,609.13 to Henagar Mayor Lee Davis and members of the city council Monday. The city must provide a $355,875.37 match toward preparing the 90 acres for new industry to locate.
Henagar Mayor Lee Davis welcomed officials to what is now an open field. He said city leaders were pleased to receive the grant, and he acknowledged the hard work that went into seeking and receiving the grant.
House Speaker Nathanial Ledbetter thanked Henagar officials for the city’s participation in the SEEDS Act program, which was started last year. He said it was one of several programs – starting with the Rebuild program – implemented to revamp
the state’s incentive program.
The state put $35 million in the SEEDS Act Program, Ledbetter said, and cities’ such as Henagar that receive grants have matched it with $30-$35 million more.
“This year alone, we’ve invested $77 or $78 million in industrial sites across the state,” he said. “Which is important. It’s important that we see it back in rural Alabama, for sure.We’re certainly proud of Henagar, the EDA, DeKalb County and their partnership with the cities and communities around DeKalb.
“The SEEDS Act has proven to be a game changer for economic development in our state, and I’m proud to see it make a significant impact at home,” Ledbetter said. “This would not be possible without state, local, and private partners working cohesively to create meaningful opportunities for our people. The future continues to look bright in DeKalb County and the great state of Alabama.
“We look forward to the progress that’s going to happen,” Ledbetter said.
“Who would have thought when we came out of COVID and we got to looking around as industrial expansion took place Alabama that we’d be out of industrial sites?” Sen. Steve Livingston said.
Crock said the Department of Commerce is “desperate” for more industrial sites to offer prospects.
The Henagar site is one of the first round of SEEDS Act grants, Livingston said.
“We’re excited to have this in north Alabama,” he said.
The work the grant will allow – getting the site shovel ready – makes a 100% difference in marketing a location to industrial prospects, said Jami Posey, DeKalb County Economic Development Business Retention and Expansion Director.
She said the EDA is marketing the site already to prospects. “When we get requests for information we always share this property,” she said.
“We have worked closely with the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority and Goodwyn Mills Cawood in developing this grant proposal which was submitted last calendar year,” city officials said in a press release. “The city hopes the completion of this project will lead to new industrial development on the site that will add higher paying jobs to our area as well as bring an increase in revenue to our local businesses and community.
“Economic growth in the City of Henagar will positively impact the entirety of DeKalb County,” the release continued.
“This investment in Henagar is an investment in Alabama’s future – paving the way for new industrial development and higher-paying jobs,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “The collaboration that’s at the core of this effort in DeKalb County reflects the strength of Alabama’s commitment to growing out communities and ensuring that every corner of our state benefits from economic growth.”
“The SEEDS Industrial Development grant program is a testament to Alabama’s dedication to fostering growth in communities like Henagar,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “By preparing this site for industrial development, Henagar is positioning itself to attract businesses and create jobs that will elevate the local economy and the quality of life for its residents. This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between state and local partners, and we are excited to see the opportunities this project will unlock for Henagar and DeKalb County as a whole.”
The City of Henagar thanked its partners in the endeavor: The State of Alabama Department of Commerce, CMC, DeKalb County EDA, Ledbetter and Livingston.
