WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderMega Site to Benefit Panhandle Counties

A group from southeast Alabama and northwest Florida has been working for several months to prepare for a future mega-project for the region.

"Well if you're looking at a mega project, an automotive project, you're looking at least 2,000 direct jobs that can come with the plant. But then you're looking at 6,000-9,000 supplier jobs that would be in the other counties and across the state line." Neal Wade, Bay County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director says.

Wade, Co-Chairman of the effort, says they're trying to attract an automotive plant near Interstate-10. Organizers in Alabama have agreed this is the best approach for the plan, since Florida has more land to build the facility.

Organizers are considering sites in Jackson, Washington and Holmes counties as possible locations. Alabama is in it to provide an available and trainable workforce; since this plant would serve as a major factory to build automobiles, they need to have a large workforce available.

But before any of this is finalized, team members felt it was necessary to put together an attractive package.

"We know that are some projects out there and we're certainly going to begin targeting those projects. Their timing is the timing we have to go by so we will begin working with them and we don't know when something will happen, obviously, the sooner the better, but we're committed to put together a long term effort to bring a mega project to i-10." Wade says.

"Being able to facilitate and develop a mega-site together to enhance both our strengths for future economic opportunities, to me is unique and it's the best way we can all win together." Matt Parker, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President says.

Both groups are excited about the future and say that with this many counties and two states involved, they are sure this effort will attract positive attention.