Read the original article on Made in Alabama
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — Macon County is charting a new course for economic growth, thanks to a pair of state-backed investments designed to enhance industrial readiness and attract job-creating projects.
The Alabama Department of Commerce has awarded a $2.7 million SEEDS (Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy) grant to the Macon County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) to support the acquisition and development of a 360-acre industrial site with strong rail potential and access to Interstate 85 and Moton Field Airport.
The property, which MCEDA has pursued for several years, is poised to become a magnet for industrial investment and represents a key addition to Alabama’s expanding portfolio of competitive sites.
“Through the Catalyst strategic plan and programs like SEEDS, we’re equipping communities like Macon County with the tools they need to compete and win in today’s fast-moving economy,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“This investment gives Macon County full control of a marketable, rail-accessible industrial site and a powerful opportunity to attract growth and opportunity to the region,” she added.
Before applying for the SEEDS grant, MCEDA had already committed nearly $150,000 in local funds for due diligence and site control — a sign of strong confidence in the location’s long-term potential.
While the site was originally submitted for a foreign direct investment project that was postponed due to economic conditions, MCEDA re-optioned the property and applied for SEEDS to secure it for future use.
The property is now being actively marketed to prospects, with two clients already expressing strong interest.
“This grant is a game-changer for Macon County,” said Brenda Tuck, Rural Development Manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce. “MCEDA has worked tirelessly to position this site for success, and the SEEDS program is helping to bring that vision to life.
“We believe this site will attract significant investment and job creation for the region,” she added.
MCEDA Director Joe Turnham, who led the effort to secure the SEEDS funding, praised the support from state partners and emphasized the site’s strategic importance.
“Our board is so grateful to the Alabama Legislature, Governor Kay Ivey and the Department of Commerce for bringing this program to rural Alabama and communities like ours to give us a chance to succeed in economic development,” Turnham said.
“By teaming together, we were able to leverage new resources to close the loop of our competitiveness.”
In a separate development, Macon County is also receiving nearly $1.3 million in funding through the Alabama Industrial Access Road & Bridge Corp. to support critical highway improvements and an industrial entryway at REAL Park (Regional East Alabama Logistics Park).
REAL Park is a 700-acre, master-planned industrial development at Exit 42 on I-85, with capacity for up to 6 million square feet of manufacturing, logistics, and warehouse space.
The park’s first phase includes a 168,000-square-foot Class A industrial building now leased by Korean automotive supplier Samkwang, which is investing $35 million and creating 130 jobs at the site.
The new road infrastructure will facilitate Phase 2 of the park’s development, allowing for continued growth and additional job-generating projects.
“These two milestone investments underscore the incredible momentum building in Macon County,” Turnham added. “Macon County is now being seen in a new and positive light as the ‘New Diamond of the I-85 Corridor’ — a county with great sites, partners, people and potential.
“The state’s proactive programs and financial support are bringing amazing returns and new opportunities for jobs that pay living wages and benefits to our citizens,” he added.
MCEDA credited strong support from the Macon County Commission, County Engineer George Sims, and state legislators Rep. Pebblin Warren and Sen. Billy Beasley for making both projects possible.