BARTON, Alabama – The Shoals Economic Development Authority has been awarded more than $3 million for upgrades at a local industrial park, a move that will help ready the region for new jobs and investment.
The funding through the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program will be used to acquire about 70 acres within the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park in Colbert County, creating a 131-acre contiguous site.
Local officials gathered today for the check presentation from the Alabama Department of Commerce, which administers SEEDS. The matching grant program has helped communities across the state accelerate the development of new industrial sites.
Governor Kay Ivey said SEEDS, part of a statewide economic development initiative designed to help sharpen communities’ competitive edge for large-scale projects, is delivering on its promise.
“Northwest Alabama has always been a place of hard work and determination, and this grant is a testament to what’s possible when the state and local partners invest in the same vision,” Governor Ivey said. “By expanding the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park into a 131-acre job-ready site, we’re opening the door for the kind of industry that creates careers for Colbert County families for generations to come.”
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair said program thrives on the collaboration that is critical for any successful economic development project.
“Alabama’s SEEDS Act is doing exactly what it was designed to do — turning underutilized land into shovel-ready opportunity,” McNair said. “The Shoals EDA has shown the kind of forward-thinking approach that makes our state competitive, and this investment in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park will position the region as a premier destination for advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense and other high-value industries. When we invest in site readiness today, we give communities like The Shoals the competitive edge to win tomorrow.”
The project will allow the Shoals EDA to acquire underutilized property with the park and implement site improvements to enhance the site’s aesthetics and development potential. Improvements will include clearing and other site preparation of nearly 70 acres, as well as rough grading and seeding a development-ready pad of about 44 acres.
“We’re grateful to the state of Alabama for this SEEDS Act support, which allows us to continue building opportunity right here in the Shoals,” said Shoals EDA President Kevin Jackson. “The acquisition and enhancement of property in Barton Riverfront Industrial Park strengthens our ability to attract new industry, support job creation and position our region for long-term economic growth.”
The Shoals EDA was previously awarded a SEEDS assessment grant for the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park property in 2025. These studies and assessment confirmed the site as a viable opportunity for growth for industries such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense and forestry products.
Key advantages of the park include its proximity to major highways, potential rail infrastructure to the site and robust utility availability, including electricity, water and gas.
Along with the SEEDS grant, the Shoals EDA also received an InvestPrep Grant from Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development.
