HENAGAR, Alabama — Today, officials in Henagar celebrated a major milestone with a substantial grant from the state’s new Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program, which is accelerating the transformation of a portion of the DeKalb County city’s existing 90-acre industrial tract into a “shovel-ready” site.
The SEEDS grant award amount is $475,609, which will be paired with a local match of $355,875 for the project.
“This investment in Henagar is an investment in Alabama’s future — paving the way for new industrial development and higher-paying jobs,” Governor 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 our communities and ensuring that every corner of our state benefits from economic growth.”
The property, owned by the City of Henagar at the time of grant submission, is located in the Henagar Industrial Park on the corner of Andrew Lee Drive and Lake Drive.
With the SEEDS grant secured, city officials anticipate the completion of the site project will attract new industries to the site, creating high-paying jobs as well as boosting local businesses revenues and community development.
“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,” she added.
SEEDS impact
The groundbreaking SEEDS grant program — a central part of the Governor’s “Game Plan” package of economic development bills approved by the Legislature last year — takes direct aim at the urgent need for high-quality industrial sites in Alabama, especially at a time when other states are spending heavily to expand their site programs.
Last February, the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) approved a total of $30.1 million in SEEDS funding, which will be matched with $38.4 million in local funds at 29 different Alabama industrial sites encompassing nearly 8,400 acres.
The City of Henagar worked closely with the Dekalb County Economic Development Authority and Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) in developing and submitting the grant proposal last year.
The City of Henagar is currently working with a team from GMC on the engineering and bidding stages of the site work. The bidding process is expected to begin in January 2025, with construction starting in March 2025.
The Industrial property benefits from a prime location about halfway between Huntsville and Atlanta, within 10 miles of Interstate 59, and with access to all major utilities.
“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,” said House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter.
“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,” he added.
A second round of SEEDS funding, potentially amounting to $30 million, is now being finalized.
