Touring Muskogee Technology was an eye-opening experience.

Last Friday morning, representatives from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, state and local dignitaries and those from the Poarch Creek Indians, took part in what would be the start of a good day for Atmore.

Following the tour, those who partook gathered in a small conference room at MT and heard an update on the IMCP program, the impact of rural Alabama jobs are making in this part of the state and on the current community college impact as well.

In addition, it was announced that the city of Atmore was awarded a grant totaling more than $1.9 million to build an industrial access road at Rivercane for future manufacturing companies. That’s a pretty big deal.

On the same day, the city of Mobile was given a multi-million dollar grant to renovate a structure for the growth of the economy.

During the tour, we were led around MT, which makes aerospace parts, among a lot of other things.

One thing that was pointed out on the tour was the fact that the raw material that is used to make the aerospace parts needs to be kept frozen. So, there’s a freezer on the campus that keeps this material at a cold, cold temperature. Well below zero, if memory serves.

Yeah, things are looking up for Atmore as more jobs will open and people will relocate here.

After leaving MT Friday morning, I left with a smile on my face as I knew this was big for Atmore, and its future.

What will be long-term impact of having companies locate to Atmore? How will the city benefit?

Will more companies locate here in the near future?

Whatever sort of impact that they will generate here in the city, there’s only one thing that’s concrete in all of this — a foundation has been laid here that only can be made stronger.