A groundbreaking event today in Baldwin County celebrated phase one of a 900-acre industrial development project that will eventually provide 12 million square feet of Class A industrial space to become the largest and closest site to the Port of Mobile. Elected officials and local business leaders shared the excitement today in Loxley as ground was broken on the Port Alabama Industrial Center.
According to Baldwin County economic development leaders, the site’s proximity to I-10 makes it an ideal location for industrial, light manufacturing, data, and distribution users, just twenty minutes from the Port of Mobile, Mobile International Airport, and I-65. Port Alabama Industrial Center is located within Loxley’s growing industrial corridor, which has added 350 new direct jobs and over $150 million of investment in the area within the last few years.
“The master plan for Port Alabama Industrial Center, which will initially offer abundant space to support significant new industry, is bringing the much-needed industrial product to our market,” said Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Lee Lawson.
“There has been increasing demand for Class A industrial space in our area for many years as Baldwin County continues to grow and as the Port of Mobile continues to expand. Having readily available sites like our site here is essential as we continue attracting businesses and economic projects to Baldwin County.”
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Gulf Corporation, a Dallas-based real estate development firm, is developing the site. Austin Ames, CEO of the company, says they’re thrilled to bring the property to market.
“Gulf Corporation is excited to have the privilege to acquire such a special property in Baldwin County, a property that has not changed hands since the mid-1800s,” Ames said. “We believe our planned development activities will be the tip of the iceberg in the logistics and industrial capabilities of the entire Gulf Coast. The Port Alabama site is not only the premier industrial site of the Gulf Coast and Southeastern region, but one of the premier sites on the entire I-10 corridor from coast to coast.”
As the project moves forward, its one-of-a-kind advantages are expected to drive investment and provide a cutting edge for businesses across dynamic industries.
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“With the migration shift to the southern region due to positive economic tailwinds as well as post covid ‘on-shoring,’ we are on the precipice of a major shift in how the nation and world view this region,” Ames said. “With the growth of the port in conjunction with the substantial growth of the area, Port Alabama Industrial Center is primed to become one of the nation’s major industrial centers.”
Local elected officials, including Baldwin County Commission Chair Billie Jo Underwood, say they’re looking forward to the caliber of business and industry the development will bring into the county — and ultimately — Alabama altogether.
“The close proximity to 1-10 and the centralized location in Baldwin County between Mobile and Pensacola will attract quality tenants that will provide good, high-paying jobs for the citizens of not only Baldwin County but of the entire Southwest region of Alabama,” Underwood said.
“These types of good, stable jobs will help increase the quality of life of the citizens of Baldwin County and help us continue to ensure a stable local and regional economy.”
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
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