BRILLIANT, Alabama – The town of Brilliant has been awarded more than $470,000 to develop an industrial site along Interstate 22, positioning the rural Alabama community to attract advanced manufacturing developments and high-quality jobs.
The grant, through the Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program, will fund site clearance, grading and construction of a 50,000-square-foot building pad at Gateway I-22 Industrial Park West.
Governor Kay Ivey said SEEDS is helping ensure communities of all sizes are prepared to compete for jobs and industry.
“This project in Brilliant is a great example of how targeted site development can unlock opportunity, strengthen rural economies and position Northwest Alabama for continued growth,” Governor Ivey said. “With its prime location along the I-22 corridor, this site will help attract investment, support job creation and build on the momentum we’re seeing across Alabama.”
The project is slated for 13 undeveloped acres at the front of the 122-acre park, located near Exit 30 on I-22 in Marion County. The total project investment is $706,500, with the SEEDS grant covering about two-thirds of that cost.
As a matching grant program, SEEDS helps build partnerships between the state and local leaders to accelerate the development of new industrial sites, said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair.
“In any successful economic development project, collaboration is key, and that starts from the beginning. A prepared site is a crucial first step to bringing lucrative investments home to Alabama,” McNair said.
Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks noted the commitment to rural Alabama development shown by Governor Ivey, Secretary McNair and Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger.
“The future of I-22 is bright – but only if we are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. This SEEDS project will make Brilliant better prepared to recruit industry and attract investment. It makes our future even brighter,” he said.
Tom Wisemiller, executive director of the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance, said SEEDS recognizes the promise of the community and location.
“Exit 30 on I-22 is emerging as a future growth node for our region,” Wisemiller said. “This investment doesn’t just create a highly competitive industrial product at a strategically prime location – it ensures that Exit 30 will have industrial development opportunities alongside the mixed-use and commercial growth already taking shape there. That balance is critical to building a truly sustainable economic future for Brilliant and the surrounding region.”
Gateway I-22 Industrial Park West is strategically located about a one-hour drive from both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and is within a one-day truck run to major logistic hubs including Chicago, Columbus, Charleston, Savannah and eastern Texas. Amenities at Exit 30 include a hotel and travel center, along with additional hospitality and retail development in the pipeline.
Targeted industries for the site include advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, automotive and mobility, metal fabrication and logistics operations.
