$1 Million Grant Brings New Jobs to North AL
(News Release) Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $1 million grant to help a north Alabama airport expand and bring in a new industry creating 250 jobs for the area. Awarded to the Limestone County Commission, the Community Development Block Grant will be used to extend infrastructure needed for an aviation related company to locate at Pryor Regional Airport with plans for later additions. The airport is jointly owned by the county commissions in Limestone and Morgan counties and the cities of Athens and Decatur. The company will use the location to service and repair civilian and military aircraft.
“Alabama continues to grow its footprint in aerospace and aviation industries, and this project is another example to demonstrate the great leaps we have taken in helping industry to grow and thrive in our state,” Gov. Ivey said. “I congratulate the local government leaders who worked together to make this project a reality.”
CDBG funds will be used to install sewer lines and a pump station to connect the airport, the company and future businesses to a main sewer system on U.S. Highway 31. The airport is currently served by septic systems.
The company plans to construct a 44,000-square-foot hangar with office space and shops to accommodate 50 employees. The business also plans to later build a 130,000-square-foot hangar and hire an additional 200 employees. The grant will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of this project which will bring new jobs to the area,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I commend these four governments who not only recognize the potential but have joined forces to take full advantage of Pryor Regional Airport and its importance in this rapidly growing region of Alabama.”
Gov. Ivey notified Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly that the grant had been approved. Local funding of $477,530 has been pledged for the project. Community Development Block Grant funding is made available to Alabama through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.