City approves $500K for spec building

By Staff
Kim West
The Russellville City Council appropriated more than $500,000 during a 20-minute meeting Monday night at the City Hall Auditorium.
Council members addressed the need for a spec building for prospective industries by unanimously approving $500,000 from the city's capital improvement fund to the Russellville Industrial Development Board.
Franklin County Development Authority assistant director Sherye Price briefly spoke to the council and requested funding to build a 50,000-square foot spec building in the Russellville Industrial Park.
"There are no buildings in the city or county suitable for industrial use, and we receive two to four requests per week for an existing building," Price said. "I've been here for nearly two years, and we've maybe filled three bids."
Mayor Johnny Brown said the spec building is an important step in attracting new industry locally.
"This will be one of the first steps in preparing to attract industry here, and I think this building will be very important in helping add jobs," Brown said.
In other business the council: