PC officials buy land for industrial park

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
PHIL CAMPBELL – After three years of negotiations, Phil Campbell is well on its way to a new industrial park.
Phil Campbell officials agreed to purchase 80 acres of land just outside the city limits with plans of turning it into an industrial park.
The land is located near the community of Spruce Pine, just a mile outside of the Phil Campbell city limits on U.S. 43.
Mayor Jerry Mays feels that the land is in a pivotal location.
"The land is close to the railroad, and is on the main highway close to the intersection of U.S. 43 and 13. It will really help to develop our area more."
The city council agreed to purchase the land, which previously belonged to Spruce Pine Sand and Gravel Company, for $300,000.
"This project is badly needed. We really need the industry in this area." said Mays,
"We need to provide jobs for our people."
"We could train our young people for industry right here in Phil Campbell, and they could also work here."
Mays said the project could possibly create as many as 600 jobs for the Town of Phil Campbell.
"In a small town like Phil Campbell, that many jobs could really mean something."
The Town of Phil Campbell has also been approved for a $450,00 grant for a wastewater treatment plant to be built on the site by Congressman Robert Aderholt.
Mays seems optimistic about the industrial park project. "It's a big step for Phil Campbell." he said
"It's not going to happen overnight, but this is a start. We should have done this years ago."