Tuscaloosa Wins Record-High Grant to Develop Sites Around Airport

An organization dedicated to securing and advancing economic opportunities in Tuscaloosa County has won a record-breaking grant to develop sites surrounding the Tuscaloosa National Airport for industrial use.

Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority announced on Wednesday that they have been awarded nearly $300,000 from Alabama's SIDA Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategies, or SEEDS.

The local EDA said this is the largest SEEDS site assessment grant ever awarded and will be spent on the "due diligence" required before construction can begin on potential industrial projects.

That could include environmental studies, geotechnical analysis and early infrastructure planning for these sites - early stumbling blocks for interested industries which will now be handled ahead of time through this funding.

Get our free mobile app

“This investment lays the foundation for long‐term economic success in Tuscaloosa County,” said TCEDA Board Chairman Steven Rumsey. “By conducting thorough site assessments, we can provide prospective industries with the confidence they need to invest here. The state’s support through SEEDS reinforces the strength of our community as a destination for business and industry.”

The TCEDA also already knows where it will invest the $296,000 SEEDS grant, focusing on two properties near the airport - the already-existing, 1,000-acre Tuscaloosa County Airport Industrial Park and a nearby 390-acre site adjacent to the airport which sits on the Black Warrior River.

The second site could be a catalyst for major industrial growth with multi‐modal opportunities for prospective companies moving cargo both by air and by barge.

“Economic development starts with having the right sites ready for investment. This grant will allow us to proactively prepare for the future and make Tuscaloosa an even more attractive destination for industry and job creation," Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said in a press release.

Northport Mayor John Hinton and Probate Judge Rob Robertson agreed, and said this grant represents a rising tide to lift all ships.

“The ability to provide ready‐to‐develop sites is a key factor in attracting new businesses and expanding existing ones," Robertson said. "This funding allows us to take a proactive approach to industrial site readiness, giving Tuscaloosa County a stronger competitive edge in economic development.”

“The collaboration between our local governments and TCEDA is essential in securing long‐term economic success," Hinton said. "This investment will strengthen our ability to recruit high‐quality industries, benefiting Northport and the entire Tuscaloosa County region.”

For more coverage of economic and industrial news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.