Candidates discuss county development
By Staff
Melissa Cason
Economic development, always an important issue in Franklin County, was once again the topic of discussion Tuesday night as candidates for county commission met for a forum at the courthouse.
Just a week before the June 3 party primaries, candidates gave a last spiel about the role they would play in helping the county's industrial growth.
Mitch Mays, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, served as the moderator for the forum on economic development while Clint Dotson, Jeff Bowling and Glen Vinson served as the panelists asking questions.
Each county commission candidate was asked four questions on economic development in Franklin County.
All the candidates agreed on what measures that need to be taken to build the foundation to attract new businesses to the area.
The most important being the completion of Alabama 24, which will connect to Interstate 22.
"Water, gas, roads and electricity," Commissioner Jackie Bradford said. "All of these are important components, but the most important is Highway 24 and its completion."
All the candidates agreed that all these are important infrastructures to have in place to recruit industry. But, they also agreed that the county needs to be aware of the industries that might want to come to Franklin County in order to have everything they are looking for in a location.
"We really don't know what we need until we know what's coming," said Howard Hutcheson, a candidate for the district 2 seat.
Another important topic during the forum was cooperation between the county commission, the Franklin County Economic Development Authority and the Russellville Economic Development board.
Stratt Byars, a candidate for the district 1 seat, said everyone has to pull together to get businesses to come here.
The candidates were all in agreement that funding these improvements and projects will be a task.
"This is millions of dollars we are talking about," Commissioner Rayburn Massey said. "We have to have the money in order to provide the match for any grants that may be obtained."
Massey went on to say that Franklin County, like many other counties, does not have unlimited resources when it comes to funding.
Several issues were discussed in order to find the money to fund economic development from controlling the budget a little better to taxing our natural resources like gravel and dirt that leaves the county daily.
