By By Huck Treadwell
Special to The Advance
The City of Atmore has been awarded a federal grant to complete a sewage drainage project, but needed a court ruling on how to properly complete a project that crosses state lines. located on the south part of town.
The council passed a motion to request a ruling from the state attorney general on the legality of using the federal funds to complete a project across state lines. Atmore Mayor Howard Shell said requesting a ruling was a matter of procedure, essentially "crossing the T's and dotting the I's."
The council also granted Masland a tax abatement on $8.9 million worth of equipment it recently purchased.
Masland, a carpet manufacturer, purchased tufting machines used to manufacture fine carpets. The new equipment will allow Masland to eventually hire an additional 33 new employees.
Shell also presented a special proclamation recognizing the Rev. Kelly Brown, pastor of First Baptist Church, for the great charity work he has done in the city during the past nine-and-a-half years. Brown will be leaving Atmore to pastor a church in Georgia.
"I've been so blessed in Atmore," he said. "I'm so proud of it in so many ways. I'm only leaving because God has called me."
In other business:
The mayor suggested an audit of the company's sales for the past several years. Shell said once back-taxes and penalties had been paid, the company could reapply for a business license.