Quote:
Originally Posted by austin356
I hope major incentives are not used to lure a plant to the site. From a economics standpoint it may be in Huntsville's best long term interest to focus on what it has been doing good which is aerospace/defense/etc and not on some plant that could more easily be shut down and moved to Mexico. HSV is already at full employment anyways (though that term is undefinable).
Huntsville metro does not need these "mega industrial projects" as the rest the state does.
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well I'm not sure I totally agree, I think if you have a site and an opportunity to get such a plant you do. The more diversity the better, and this site would pull in a 100 mile radius. There are a lot of people who need jobs within 100 miles. When Verizon had their job fair last week over 1200 people showed up, so full employment doesn't mean there are no unemployed people. The major incentives would come from the state/TVA. If Toyota were to set up shop no one would complain. Toyota's engine plant in Huntsville has been nothing but positive, I guess they have close to 1000
workers now, and more expansion is almost a sure thing. The area is positioned to go after whatever jobs they can and that's good.
From The HSV Times
"TVA commissioned the megasites through McCallum Sweeney in March 2004 in response to the growing need for large industrial properties appropriate for auto manufacturing.
For that reason, the megasite could sustain two 1.7-million-square-foot buildings suitable for auto manufacturing. Other allures to prospective industry include close proximity to Huntsville International Airport, port access on the Tennessee River, quick access to major roads and a possible dual-service rail.
Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said the site could be developed for other purposes, such as technology, but the hope is to attract an auto manufacturing plant.
"We really want to see an assembly plant on this site," he said.
Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office, emphasized the importance of certification in competing for economic development projects.
"One of the most important roles of local governments and their development agencies is providing quality products - sites and buildings - that are ready for prospective industry," Wade said in a statement. "Certification of this site is a major step toward competing for future projects."
The megasite is just south of a proposed interchange in Tanner that could steer more traffic through Limestone County. Cramer has secured $4.3 million for the interchange so far."
and a little more info from the Decatur Daily
"Three years in the making, the 2,010-acre site extends from U.S. 31 to Interstate 65. Officials unveiled plans for it during a presentation at Calhoun Community College.
The land fronts I-65 from about mile marker 343 to mile marker 345. That places it within two miles of a planned interchange at Brownsferry Road, scheduled for construction beginning this fall.
The site's southern border, along Garrett Road north of Pryor Field, is one mile north of the Decatur city limits.
As a prerequisite for Megasite status, the property already has water, sewer, electric and natural gas access. It also has the potential for rail access. Although there are no specific plans for it, a concept drawing of the site includes an interchange at Garrett Road and I-65.
Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said no specific industry or industry type has been identified for the site.
He said the Tennessee Valley Authority designed the site to meet the criteria of an automobile assembly plant, but those same criteria would meet the requirements of many other industries.
TVA retained McCallum Sweeney Consulting to design the site. McCallum also assists large companies in site location. Its clients include Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Ideal site
"U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, said the idea of establishing a TVA Megasite originated several years ago when he and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, were pitching North Alabama to Toyota. Toyota's North American president told them the ideal site would be close to I-65, close to the river and near the Tennessee state line."
The spring pygmy sunfish — about one-inch long when mature — is found only in two locations, both in Limestone County, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Some inhabit the Beaverdam Creek watershed, which drains into Wheeler Reservoir. Others inhabit Pryor Spring. Biologists successfully stocked the fish in Pryor Spring in the 1980s. The first spring pygmy sunfish was discovered in Cave Spring, Lauderdale County, in 1938.
Robinson said TVA had to design the Megasite so as to avoid disrupting the wetlands, which could have upset the rare fish's environment.
This is TVA's ninth Megasite, and the first in Alabama. In February, Toyota chose a 1,700-acre Megasite in Tupelo, Miss., for a Highlander sport utility vehicle assembly plant. Toyota said the $1.3 billion plant will create 2,000 jobs.
Steel manufacturer SeverCorr bought a Megasite in Columbus, Miss., where it is building an $880 million, 450-employee plant.
McCallum Sweeney certified the Mississippi site.
"Having a certified Megasite ready for development in Limestone County along with access to affordable, reliable power gives the North Alabama region an advantage in recruiting new automotive assembly plants or related industries," said TVA President Tom Kilgore, who attended the presentation."
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