The Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority, State Senator Greg Reed (R-Jasper), President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, Representative Matt Woods (R-Jasper), Representative Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) and Chairman of the Walker County Commission, Steve Miller coordinated a groundbreaking ceremony to launch site development efforts at the new Heritage Industrial Park in Walker County.
“The vision and plan to develop a new county industrial park was put into action over two years ago when the Walker County Commission committed up to $600,000 to allow the Walker County Development Authority to purchase 200 acres just south of the Dora exit on Interstate 22”, said David Knight, Executive Director of the Walker County Development Authority.
To reduce the local funding required to purchase the site, the Walker County Development Authority submitted a SEEDS application in January of 2024. The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2023 created the opportunity for economic development organizations to leverage state funding to assist with the purchase and development of qualified properties to expand Alabama’s inventory of industrial sites.
The Development Authority was awarded $343,200 of SEEDS funding in March, reducing the local funding required to purchase the 200-acre site by more than half the original commitment. Once the site had been purchased, the Development Authority focused on the need to grade and prepare the site for marketing.
In May of 2024, the Development Authority submitted a Growing Alabama application to the Alabama Department of Commerce. The Growing Alabama Act provides a funding mechanism for economic development organizations like the Walker County Development Authority to undertake projects for the purpose of stimulating economic growth. Through this innovative program, Alabama taxpayers can make cash contributions to qualified economic development organizations for approved projects and receive a Growing Alabama tax credit equal to their cash contribution. Donors with sufficient tax liability and a willingness to participate in the program are the ultimate source of funds provided for the project.
The Authority’s application was approved by the Renewal of Alabama Commission on June 28th and the Authority was awarded $4,717,945 in credits.
Knight said, “The $4,717,945 in Growing Alabama credits were purchased by private donors in August and converted to cash, allowing the Development Authority to move forward with the mass grading project that we are here to break ground on today. The Growing Alabama program is a tremendous tool that promotes private investment in public projects. It is a critical component of Alabama’s team approach to economic development. Today’s events are a testament to the power of partnerships and what can be accomplished when everyone shares a common goal. We are grateful to the Department of Commerce for their continued support and to the Renewal Commission for their belief in our project and the impact it will have on Walker County and the State of Alabama.
To get us where we are today, engineering and site analysis have been underway for the past year. Based on the results from these evaluations, the Development Authority will initially focus on the northern most 100 acres of the 200-acre property for mass grading, our goal is to create the largest, pad ready site possible as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Greg Reed, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate commented, “Today is a great day for Walker County and Northwest Alabama. Heritage Industrial Park is a testament to the commitment our state has shown to bringing industry and high paying jobs to Alabama. It always brings me great joy to see good policy result in good outcomes. In 2023, the Alabama Legislature passed the SEEDS Act that has since empowered the State Industrial Development Authority to approve over 30 million dollars in SEEDS funding. This funding has been matched with 38.4 million in local funds at 29 different industrial sites across Alabama encompassing nearly 8400 acres. This new industrial park is one of those sites and is the culmination of a lot of work done by incredibly dedicated and talented people at the state and local level. I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey, Ellen McNair at the Department of Commerce, the Walker County Development Authority and David Knight, the Walker County Commission, Representative Tim Wadsworth, Representative Matt Woods, and so many others for their diligent effort in making today a reality. Our future is incredibly bright.”
“Creating opportunities for good paying jobs is a top priority for me,” said Representative Matt Woods. “I want to recognize the efforts of all involved to bring Heritage Industrial Park forward. I was happy to support the legislation that created the SEEDS ACT that was utilized in the purchase of this property. It was my privilege to work with David Knight and the Walker County Development Authority to secure an additional $4.7 million in resources to help make this site ready for future development. Thank you to the Walker County Commission for having the foresight to invest in this property, and to my colleagues Senator Greg Reed and Representative Tim Wadsworth for supporting this project from the beginning. Heritage Industrial Park is going to be a game-changer for the entire region.”
Representative Tim Wadsworth said, “The development of Exit 78 off I-22 indeed represents a significant opportunity for Dora and Walker County. The purchase and development of Heritage Industrial Park is a perfect example of how the Alabama SEEDS Act and the Growing Alabama Act tax credits can be used to promote local development that benefits the entire state. Key figures such as David Knight with the Walker County Development Authority and Steve Miller, Chairman of the Walker County Commission have played essential roles in bringing this project to fruition. Their dedication and efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration in community development. This project is a testament to what can be achieved through teamwork and vision.”
“The Walker County Commission is committed to and fully supports development and growth in our community,” said Steve Miller, Chairman Walker County Commission. “The Commission and the Development Authority share a common goal of improving the quality of life for Walker County residents. Construction of this new industrial park will enhance our efforts to recruit business and industry, it gives us the product we need to be competitive in economic development. On behalf of the Commission, we are grateful for the support we have received from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The funding provided to the Development Authority through the SEEDS Act and Growing Alabama program not only helped with the purchase of the property, but it will also allow us to transform the property into a pad-ready site, open for business.”
