Etowah County – The NEAR Megasite is buzzing with activity, and the Commission isn’t taking its foot off the gas. The County received $4.6 million from the State of Alabama Department of Commerce and the State Industrial Development Authority for construction of approximately 3 miles of water transmission main to serve the NEAR Megasite. This funding, along with investments from both Rainbow City and Norfolk Southern, has freed up money that will allow the County to move forward with two other high priorities. At its October 8th meeting, the Commission voted to acquire an additional 160 acres just east of the newly finished 100-acre building pad, immediately followed by approval of a contract with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) to begin design of a new interstate interchange.
The SEEDS Act (Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy) appropriated just over $30 million for development of industrial sites throughout the state. One of the major hurdles for the NEAR Megasite has been water and sewer infrastructure, and the SEEDS funding came at the perfect time to meet that need. “We’re making major progress towards getting the final pieces of infrastructure in place so that the Megasite is ready for the right project when it comes along,” said Commissioner Ramsey. The cost of the water transmission main was estimated at $8 million, with $4.6 million made available through SEEDS and the remaining $3.4 million coming from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds that Etowah County designated for water and sewer infrastructure.
The Commission applied for and received the full grant amount of $4.6 million for installation of this first phase of water transmission main along Canoe Creek Road from Highway 411 to Steele Station Road. Bids were opened by the County’s engineering consultant, GMC, on September 27, 2023, and awarded to the lowest, responsive bidder, Jordan Excavating Company, out of Birmingham, Alabama. Fortunately, the price came in at just over $5 million, so the grant amount is sufficient to cover both the construction and engineering costs.
The second phase of the water transmission main is currently being designed by GMC and should bid by end of year. This next phase of water main will pick up where the grant project ends (Steele Station Road), continue underneath Interstate 59, and connect to the 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank currently nearing completion. The elevated tank is located just south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad mainline and adjacent to the 100-acre pad, which was completed almost two years ago. The elevated tank was constructed with Growing Alabama grant funds made available through the State of Alabama and by Norfolk Southern.
Commissioner Craig Inzer, Jr., who has spent countless hours advocating for the Megasite, showed appreciation for all the support that both the County and NEAR have received. “We’ve built relationships with the State Commerce Department, EDPA (Economic Development Partnership of Alabama), EDAA (Economic Development Association of Alabama), and a host of other partners, which have facilitated many key improvements at the site. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Alabama Power and Norfolk Southern’s help.” Inzer was referring to the new Alabama Power substation and line relocation projects, along with the $8.75 million in Growing Alabama funds that Norfolk Southern contributed, which built the 100-acre pad and the water storage tank.
With outside funding totaling more than $14 million, Etowah County is in the position to acquire the additional 160 acres, putting the Megasite at just over 1,250 acres and providing an increased buffer zone for development. This property had not previously been on the market, but the owners have been very supportive of the Megasite and felt like the timing was right.
The Commission has been successful in seeking grant funding because, through their consultant GMC, they have stayed ahead of the curve in their planning efforts. Mayor Joe Taylor and the Rainbow City Council graciously contributed $1 million towards design of the interstate interchange because they too see the importance of having a plan in place. To that end, today’s award of the interstate interchange design contract to GMC puts the Megasite in line for any additional state or federal funding that might be available. When the right project comes along, all parties will be ready to give the green light to the new interchange.