Officials: Economic prospects look promising

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
Industrial companies are multiplying and interests are peaking for movement into two industrial parks and the Russellville speculative building, officials said.
Mitch Mays, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, said that 10 separate projects, ranging from automotive related to food processing, are in being discussed throughout the county.
While addressing the Russellville City Council this week, Mays gave a brief overview of some of the potential projects, including:
Mays said that during the last two weeks four different companies have contacted him about Russellville’s speculative building.
The recent growth in interest has raised Mays’ optimistic view for industry coming into Franklin County.
Mays said the Alabama Development Office, TVA and the North Alabama Industrial Development Authority have come in contact with consultants who are looking for particulars and Franklin County possesses the types of things companies are looking to obtain.
Mays said once the spec building is filled; plans are already being made to build another one.
Other counties in the state have seen success when building a second spec building. Walker County has four spec buildings and sold three, Talladega County has five spec buildings and sold three and Cullman County has five spec buildings and sold all of them.
Mays said those statistics gives him hope for Franklin County’s ability to be successful in the industrial movement.