GADSDEN, Alabama — Etowah County is making significant strides toward enhancing the Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite, thanks to a $4.6 million grant from Alabama’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program.
The SEEDS funding will be used to construct a 3-mile water transmission main to support the industrial site, enabling the county to move forward with plans to acquire an additional 160 acres adjacent to the park’s newly completed 100-acre pad. The county is also pushing forward with plans to build a new interstate exchange, which will further boost accessibility to the site.
County officials emphasized that one of the biggest challenges for the NEAR Megasite has been its water and sewer infrastructure, and the SEEDS funding arrives at a crucial time to address these needs.
“We’re making substantial progress in putting the final pieces of infrastructure in place so that the NEAR Megasite is fully prepared when the right project comes along,” County Commissioner Tim Ramsey said.
The total cost of the water transmission main is estimated at $8 million, with $4.6 million covered by SEEDS and the remaining $3.4 million coming from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds allocated by Etowah County for water and sewer projects.
Growing Alabama
Additionally, the Growing Alabama program, another state initiative overseen by the Alabama Department of Commerce, has been instrumental in the site’s development. This program focuses on industrial site readiness, a critical factor in attracting new businesses and expansions to Alabama.
Growing Alabama has allocated $8.75 million in funds for the Megasite, with contributions from Norfolk Southern.
These funds have facilitated the construction of a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, which is nearing completion. Located adjacent to the 100-acre pad, this tank will ensure the site is ready to meet future demand.
In tandem, Alabama Power has built a new substation and relocated power lines to provide reliable service to the growing industrial park.
“We wouldn’t have reached this point without the pivotal support from Alabama Power and Norfolk Southern,” County Commissioner Craig Inzer Jr. said.
Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, stressed the importance of the SEEDS and Growing Alabama programs in the state’s economic development efforts.
“Both SEEDS and Growing Alabama are essential tools in our strategy to ensure Alabama remains a top destination for business growth. These programs are making it possible for communities like Etowah County to attract large-scale projects, create high-paying jobs, and build long-term economic success,” Secretary McNair said.
“By investing in infrastructure and site readiness, we are laying the groundwork for transformative opportunities across the state,” she added.
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.
A second round of SEEDS funding is in the works.
Growth plans
The addition of 160 acres brings the NEAR Megasite’s total size to over 1,250 acres, offering a larger buffer for future development. The property was not previously on the market, but the landowners have been supportive of the county’s efforts and agreed that now is the ideal time to move forward.
Following the County Commission’s approval of the land acquisition at a Tuesday meeting, it also approved a contract with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) to begin designing a new interstate interchange.
Rainbow City has contributed $1 million toward making the interchange a reality, further reinforcing regional collaboration to attract large-scale industrial investments.