SEDA E-Newsletter March 2006


	Shoals Economic Development Authority
March 2006 Archived Newsletters

SEDAupdate

Meeting Schedule SEDA News Existing Industry Available Building Highlight

Meeting Schedule

SEDA Monthly Board of Directors Meetings

April 11
May 9

Shoals Manufacturers
Association

May 10
July 12

For more information, contact Lesley Cox, (256) 764-0351

Shoals Industry-Education Training Alliance

April 19
July 19

For more information on the Training Alliance, contact Lesley Cox, (256) 764-0351

Shoals Economic
Development Authority

Phone: (256) 764-0351
            (800) 239-6087
FAX:     (256) 764-3850

500 North Court Street
P.O. Box 580
Florence, Alabama 35631

Web:   www.seda-shoals.com

SEDA News

Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority Appoints New Administrator

     The members of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority appointed Thomas Griffith of Amory, MS as administrator during its recent quarterly meeting in Nashville, TN. Griffith served as mayor of Amory from 1975 to July 2005 when he chose not to run for re-election. He has considerable experience in economic and community development and was responsible for the development and management of the city’s public port while serving as mayor.
     "The Authority is very pleased to have someone with Thomas’ management skills and experience to succeed our long-time administrator, Don Waldon," said Nick Ardillo, the waterway agency’s vice-chairman. "He is a charter member of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council and has served as that waterway trade association’s chairman. He is also past president of two very important state organizations, the Mississippi Water Resources Association and the Mississippi Municipal League, which is a unique honor for an elected official from a small city." Griffith also has represented the State of Mississippi as a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Regional Resources Council, and most recently served as chairman of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University.
     The waterway authority is an interstate compact authorized by the U.S. Congress to promote the economic development and trade potential of the Tenn-Tom Waterway and its impacted region. The member states are Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The governors of these states are members and Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi currently serves as the compact’s chairman. Its headquarters is located in Columbus, MS.

back to the top

US Army Corps of Engineers to Host 7th Annual Small Business Open House

US Army Corps of Engineers 7th Annual Small Business Open House

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

US Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville Office
4820 University Square
Huntsville, AL

Registration 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

A $20.00 per person fee covers box lunch and refreshments
provided by Huntsville Center Activities Association

8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Center Overview
Project Briefings/Opportunities
Doing Business with the Center
Working with Small Business Administration
Various Contracting Topics
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Presentation
Contractor Feedback with the Commander
Networking

Subcontracting Opportunities

Prime contractors will be available to discuss
subcontracting opportunities on Center contracts.

Reminder

One-on-One Project Manager Capability Discussions will be available
this year by pre-registration only. These 15-minute appointments
give you the opportunity to discuss your company's capabilities
directly with a program manager. Mark your selection on the registration form.

Note: Registration Forms Deadline -- March 27, 2006

(Click here for the registration form)

Small Business Office -- 256-895-1050

http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil/Info/BizInfo.htm

back to the top

The Shoals Continues to Grow with New Investment

     These are certainly exciting times in The Shoals! The Shoals, made up of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties in Northwest Alabama, continues to see impressive growth thanks to new investment in retail and service establishments, manufacturing facilities, and transportation infrastructure. Visitors to the area will notice many positive changes in our community.

     In just the last few years, SCA Tissue invested $240 million in a new tissue plant, Walgreens Health Initiatives opened a call center that now employs 440, Thacker Casket opened a manufacturing facility employing close to 100 workers, North American Lighting announced that it will build a manufacturing facility that will employ over 300 people, and Waverlee Homes announced that it will re-open a facility and employ 150 (see article below). Southwire purchased the Essex manufacturing facility, Jami expanded its operations by more than 90 workers, and several other manufacturing companies expanded existing facilities or opened new ones in the area. Also, a number of local companies are considering expansions in the near future.

On the retail and services front, the explosive growth continues unabated. The Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, overlooking the Tennessee River, opened last year, bringing a new level of class and sophistication to accommodations in The Shoals. The famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail opened two new championship courses, Fighting Joe and The Schoolmaster, in Colbert County. Fighting Joe was honored as one of the best new public courses in the United States. The Coldwater Inn in Tuscumbia is moving toward completion, and two other hotels are planned in the near future: a Hampton Inn Suites in downtown Florence and a Comfort Inn Suites in Muscle Shoals. Home Depot, Texas Roadhouse, Rosie's Cantina, a 12-screen movie theater, and many others have opened for business. An Olive Garden restaurant will soon open next to Regency Square Mall as will an ALDI grocery store. A Kohl's department store will open in the near future.

In addition, several road projects are improving the transportation infrastructure in The Shoals. A new six-lane bridge over Shoal Creek has opened, which will smooth the flow of traffic on U.S. Highway 72. Construction continues on the widening of Alabama 133 in Muscle Shoals, which will improve the flow of traffic between Lauderdale and Colbert Counties across the Patton Island Bridge. Other road projects include a planned connection from the north end of the Patton Island Bridge Corridor to Helton Drive in Florence and additional lanes on Alabama Highway 157 in adjacent Lawrence County.

back to the top

Existing Industry

Waverlee Homes Re-Opens Muscle Shoals Facility

     Waverlee Homes, a leader in the manufactured housing industry, has announced that it will re-open its 165,000-square-foot facility at 680 Waverlee Rd. in The Shoals. The impact of this re-opening will mean 150 new jobs for the community. Waverlee is excited to once again be a part of The Shoals business community and is pleased to provide these employment opportunities. Production is slated to begin in mid-May 2006.

      Persons seeking employment with Waverlee Homes may apply at the Shoals Career Center at 500 S. Montgomery Ave. in Sheffield. Beginning April 3, 2006, applications will be taken onsite at the facility, which is located behind Elixir Industries on U.S. Highway Alternate 72.

back to the top

Available Building Highlight

Phillip May Building
15,100 Square Feet

123 Commerce
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

Features	Square Footage	Ceiling Ht. Center (ft)	Ceiling Ht. Eaves (ft)	Column Spacing (ft)	Floor Thickness (in)	Air Conditioned	Sprinkler System
Production	14,700	24' 2"	20'	50' x 25'	5"	No	No
Office	400	N/A	N/A	N/A	5"	Yes	No

back to the top

Shoals Economic Development Authority
P.O. Box 580
500 North Court Street
Florence, AL 35631
Phone (256) 764-0351
Fax (256) 764-3850
E-mail: shoalseda@seda-shoals.com

To unsubscribe, email remove@seda-shoals.com

Copyright statement, privacy statement, and disclaimer