By Staff
Staff reports
Atmore's industrial park just scored $500,000 for access improvements to I-65.
The money is part of the recently passed transportation omnibus bill. Alabama congressional members scored millions of dollars in appropriations for state highway projects as part of the new bill.
"The money means we are going to continue to development at our industrial park located at the Interstate," Mayor Howard Shell said.
"Part of the funds will be used for engineer fees, putting in access roads and continued infrastructures associated with the park."
Atmore's industrial park near I-65 consists of 645 acres with water, sewer and electric service already available.
The city recently passed more than $3.98 million in general obligation bonds to finance the purchase of the land from the department of corrections. It is intended for industrial and retail uses.
As part of the park's development, the city annexed the property in a non-contiguous annexation approved through the Alabama legislature.
No residential areas were annexed.
Some business owners in and around the annexed property have protested the city's annexation and the new requirement to purchase city business license and collect city sales taxes.
The money is part of the state of Alabama's $67 million share of highway funds from the omnibus transportation bill.
No official word has been released on what work specifically will be done with the money or when work will start.said.