Pilgrim’s Pride gets 10-year tax abatement
RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Commission has approved a 10-year tax abatement for Pilgrim’s Pride to support a $90 million expansion expected to bring 260 jobs to Russellville.
Franklin County Development Authority Director Sherye Price presented the request and said the abatement applies to non-educational taxes.
Commissioners approved the resolution and contract for the $9 million capital improvement project.
In other business, commissioners: • Approved the fiscal year 2026 Department of Youth Services agreement, which splits about $157,000 among Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale counties for youth-offender programs.
• Approved advertising for 2026 annual material bids for the Highway Department, covering rock, pipe, asphalt, striping and liquid asphalt.
• Held a public hearing before the meeting to consider vacating Parker Road. No one attended to oppose the proposal, and commissioners approved the vacation. A legal notice will run for four weeks, and letters will be sent to nearby homeowners and utilities.
• Accepted the resignation of part-time EMA assistant Ron Coats, whose letter of resignation said he would remain available on an intermittent basis a few days a month as determined by EMA Director Mary Glass.
• Voted to advertise for a new part-time EMA assistant at Glass’ request.
• Commission Chairman Barry Moore said Glass recently tested the county’s outdoor warning sirens and sent results showing which units need repair.He said the county has spent roughly $20,000 on siren maintenance during the past three years and will install new batteries before Red Beard Solutions inspects the system for additional problems.
• Other personnel actions included approving the resignation of temporary highway employee Eli Warren; the resignation of heavy equipment operator Joel Wood; and the hiring of Callie Barber and Kathy Morgan in part-time roles for the Revenue Commission office.
• Granted the sheriff’s office request to hire Marina Staphill as a corrections officer and dispatcher, and Dustin Chase Oliver as a deputy assigned to courthouse security.
• Accepted the resignation of corrections officer and dispatcher Samantha Weeks and approved hiring Tiffany Buchannon temporarily for that position.
• Voted to declare a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe as surplus for sale on GovDeals.
• Authorized the Solid Waste Department to solicit bids for two new garbage trucks totaling $598,820.
• Approved the reappointment of Lavon Duboise to the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments Board.
• Appointed Michael Shane Bendall and Judy Bullen to the Industrial Development Board to represent Districts 2 and 4.
• Jeff Aycock requested the county vacate Hussey Hammock Road, located off County Roads 424 and 524 near Massey Road.Moore explained that the process will include four weeks of public notice and a public hearing.
• Donald King thanked the county for recent road work near County Roads 84, 58 and 73. He asked for additional shoulder repair south of Barnett Road and mix work near Spark Cemetery Road. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 17 at the Franklin County Courthouse Annex, located directly across from the Franklin County Courthouse in downtown Russellville.
(Edited: 11/07/2025 – The amount of the expansion is $90 million, not $9 million. This is the capital investment on the part of Pilgrim’s, not the value of the tax abatement.)
