A 44-acre site in Shoals Research Airpark has received AdvantageSite designation.
The AdvantageSite program requires that community economic development organizations provide documentation specific to a proposed industrial site, including a set of standard data related to ownership/ control, environmental and geotechnical conditions, and infrastructure status.
Sites must also meet size, zoning and accessibility requirements.
"We believe that with this AdvantageSite designation, utility and road infrastructure in place and close proximity to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Norfolk Southern Rail Yard, the Port of Florence and major highways, the Shoals Research Airpark is a very appealing location for light-to-moderate industrial clients, aviation-related businesses, business incubators, and others" said Muscle Shoals mayor David Bradford. "The city council and I look forward to marketing the Shoals Research Airpark site as an AdvantageSite and working to make the Airpark second to none as the best location for business and industry."
"During tough economic times, the economic development community in Alabama was challenged to be prepared for the eventual upswing. With the recent Shoals Research Airpark designation, the Shoals Area met the challenge by being the first community in the state with three AdvantageSite-designated industrial and business parks" said Forrest Wright, president, Shoals Economic Development Authority.
"We believe that project timeframes will be tighter than ever before when the economy bounces back" said Greg Knighton, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama vice president and director of business information. We are beginning to realize a critical mass of these prepared sites, which we believe will allow Alabama to answer the call when new industries come looking."
AdvantageSite is a teamwork approach between the private sector and state and local governments geared toward having prepared product and materials ready for industrial prospects. The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Development Office, Alabama Gas Corporation, Alabama Power Company, EDPA, the North Alabama Industrial Development Association and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. Representatives from each of the entities actively participate in application reviews and on-site visits to prospective AdvantageSite designees.
The voluntary industrial site preparedness program was created in order to make the state more competitive for companies considering a location in Alabama.