NEAR Megasite receives additional $3.3 million in SEEDS funding

The Etowah County Commission was awarded a second SEEDS grant to support critical water and sewer infrastructure at the NEAR Megasite, marking another significant investment from the State of Alabama toward the county’s economic development efforts.

This new funding, provided by the Alabama State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) through the state’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Program, is designated to enhance the site’s readiness for industrial development.

The $3.3 million grant, bolstered by a $2.5 million local match, will fund the installation of the final 2.5 miles of water line along Canoe Creek Road, which will connect a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, underneath Interstate 59, to the recently completed water line currently ending at Steele Station Road.

“This SEEDS grant is a game-changer for Etowah County,” Commission Chairman Joey Statum said. “It allows us to take yet another huge step forward in preparing the NEAR Megasite for job-creating industrial investment.

“We’re grateful to the state for recognizing the potential of this site and supporting our efforts to make it development-ready.”

The SEEDS program, a cornerstone of Governor Ivey’s 2023 “Game Plan” for economic development, addresses the urgent need for quality industrial sites at a time when other states are investing heavily in similar initiatives.

The first round of SEEDS allocations, totaling $30.1 million in 2024, was matched with $38.4 million in local contributions across 29 industrial sites. This round included a $4.6 million SEEDS allocation for the NEAR Megasite.

A second round of SEEDS grants, announced in February, totaled $23.5 million for 29 sites, supported by local matches exceeding $17 million. This round includes the $3.3 million grant.

“The SEEDS grant represents a strategic investment in the future of the Northeast Alabama Regional Megasite, helping unlock its full potential as a driver of long-term growth and job creation in Etowah County,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“With its prime location and strong infrastructure, NEAR is a vital asset in Alabama’s economic development portfolio, and this support positions it to attract transformative projects that will benefit the region and the entire state,” she added.

In addition to securing the SEEDS Grant, the Etowah County Commission awarded a $3.8 million construction bid for the final phase of the water project, plus extension of just over one mile of sewer line, north to the interstate. The project was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood, and the contract was awarded to Alabama Grading and Excavation, a local contractor.

“We can finally fill the tank,” said Commissioner Craig Inzer Jr., who has devoted much of his time as Commissioner to this project. “We’ve come so far in the last five years.

“Now it’s just a matter of finding the right industry for the site and for Etowah County.”

Courtesy of Made in Alabama