By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Editor’s Note: We have several articles concerning Tuesday night’s council meeting. You can watch the full video of the meeting here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijjWNlXrUg
At the Prattville Council meeting Tuesday, Economic Development Director Amy Hilliard spoke, focusing on two specific items on the agenda for the evening. Both items unanimously passed with council approval.
“I wanted to bring up a couple of things with some opportunities on the agenda tonight. In economic development, we focus on retail, commercial and industrial recruitment through strategic growth and partnerships. So that is our focus for economic development certainly and into the future,” Hilliard said.
She referred to item 4 on the agenda related to adding a new manufacturing business for the West Industrial Park. That would add a $2 million facility with about 10 employees and includes Prattville selling a piece of property.
Later, the Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance for the sale of the surplus property.
The second was item #6 known as Project Mountain.
“There has been a lot of information put out, so I wanted to make sure we are as transparent as possible on these particular projects. This is a competitive expansion project for an existing industry here in our community. Old World Industries has come to us and given us an opportunity,” Hilliard said.
Old World Industries had other opportunities in different locations for expansion, including a site in Texas and another site in Illinois. The company asked the City of Prattville for a 10-year tax abatement from the city.
“When we talk about abatements, I want to be clear, that is not giving away money. Tax abatements are abating a tax before it comes in. So, basically, it will not be there for a short period of time as the company starts up. So, this 10-year abatement would allow a location of an additional property, $26.3 million in expansion, an additional 24 jobs which takes that one company on site to 51 jobs for our community. There is a secondary partner there called Graham Packaging. They are not requesting anything, but they would grow as well. So, I just wanted to give as much information as I possibly can and let you know these are two wonderful economic development opportunities in front of you tonight.”
When it came time for a vote from the Council on these two issues, both were passed unanimously.
