Red Bay holds public hearing for grant

Sept. 26 the City of Red Bay made another step toward achieving a $250,000 grant for the West Franklin Industrial Park. The city council held a public hearing at Red Bay City Hall to discuss the community development block grant, which is a required step in the process of applying for such grants.

According to a statement made by State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, “an application is to be submitted by the City of Red Bay, at a future date, to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for a Community Development Block Grant-ED. The application, when it is submitted, will be for the purpose of providing needed sewer infrastructure, roadway improvements and drainage work to facilitate Girard Holdings Alabama LLC’s construction of a new assembly plant at Red Bay’s West Franklin Regional Industrial Park.”

Girard Holdings is an awning manufacturing company that provides services for several businesses and individuals and which Tiffin Motorhomes in Red Bay uses exclusively.

A press release earlier in September stated Sen. Larry Stutts played an integral part in helping Red Bay with the grant process.

“I was asked to help with the grant, and I am pleased that we were able to secure the grant for a very worthwhile project that will bring about 25 jobs to the area. My job is to represent the entire district, and I will continue to do that to the best of my ability just as I have for the last four years,” Stutts said.

Mayor Charlene Fancher said she received verbal confirmation from ADECA that as long as the city follows the proper steps to apply for the grant, they should receive it with no problems.

Also in attendance at the meeting were city clerk Linda Holcomb, city engineer Rod Hawkins and Heath King from NACOLG.