Shoals Economic Development Authority

DOING BUSINESS
IN THE SHOALS

Economic Data

Market Conditions

Business Climate

Shoals Economic Development Authority

Phone:
(256) 764-0351
1-800-239-6087
FAX: (256) 764-3850
20 Hightower Place
Suite 1
P.O. Box 580
Florence, Alabama 35630

E-mail:

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TRANSPORTATION

Highways
The Shoals area is located on the major east-west corridor leading from the southeast US to Memphis and beyond. Four-lane US Highway 72 and four-lane US Highway 20 both connect directly with I-65 to the east and I-40 to the west. Two other four-lane connections to I-65 are currently under construction. In addition, the Shoals will be the entry-exit point in Alabama for the limited access Memphis-to-Atlanta Federal Corridor that is now in the preliminary engineering stage. A new $89 million bridge, which was completed in 2002, provides an additional span across the Tennessee River and will link directly with the new Atlanta-Memphis Corridor.

Air Service
The Northwest Alabama Regional Airport serves the tri-state area with direct commuter service to Memphis via Northwest Airlink. Huntsville International Airport is located 50 miles away providing both passenger and air cargo service. The Shoals' proximity to major airports in Nashville and Birmingham provide the air traveler with many choices for convenience.

Rail Service
Rail service is readily available to business and industry in the Shoals. Norfolk Southern Rail serves Colbert County, and Tennessee Southern Rail serves Lauderdale County.

River and Port Access
Located on the navigable Tennessee River, the Shoals area has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the Mississippi River. Several private companies operate their own barge terminals and contract these services on a company-by-company basis. The Port of Florence, on Pickwick Lake, is located at Tennessee River Mile 256.5. It is owned and operated by the Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority, a public, non-profit corporation serving businesses and industry in Northwest Alabama. The Port of Florence can provide bulk materials handling by calm shell to rail or truck...by dump chute from truck to barge...or by transloader from rail or truck to barge. An overhead bridge crane has the ability to unload steel coils and other materials. A lighted public dock area is available for short-term use on a contact basis.

Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone
The Shoals area is included in the Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone areas served by the Huntsville-Madison County Jetplex. An International Intermodal Center at Huntsville is capable of receiving, transferring, storing, and distributing containerized cargo by all modes of transportation. FTZ status can be activated for the Shoals upon demand.