The Alabama Department of Commerce awarded Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grants to two industrial sites in DeKalb County on Thursday, funding assessments intended to improve their readiness for business recruitment. The City of Collinsville received $16,016 for its 72-acre park along Interstate 59, while the city of Fyffe was awarded $41,041 for its 56-acre facility near Alabama Highway 75. These awards are part of a third round of state funding that distributed $15.7 million across 21 projects earlier this year.
What it means
The SEEDS program, established in 2023 under Governor Kay Ivey’s “Game Plan” economic development legislation, provides capital to local industrial development agencies for site preparation and improvement. The grants cover the costs of surveys and studies necessary to make these locations competitive in the national market for manufacturing and logistics facilities. By completing these technical assessments, the parks can present verified data on land quality and infrastructure to prospective tenants.
The Collinsville Industrial Park has already completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and a geotechnical report. The new funding will support further improvements or studies required for final site selection. Fyffe’s industrial park includes two city-owned lots with highway frontage and an existing access road, which the grant will help evaluate for expansion or enhancement. With required matching funds, the total investment in the Collinsville site reaches $30,000, while the Fyffe project totals $70,000.
State officials emphasized that prepared sites are essential for attracting new capital. Governor Kay Ivey stated that having industrial locations ready to meet company needs is critical for winning investment competitions. Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter noted that SEEDS serves as a vital tool for rural communities seeking to compete for jobs. The grants allow local agencies to move beyond basic land ownership and provide the detailed engineering and environmental data that modern manufacturers require during site selection.
Key facts
- Collinsville Industrial Park grant: $16,016 (72 acres)
- Fyffe Industrial Park grant: $41,041 (56 acres)
- Total Collinsville investment with matching funds: $30,000
- Total Fyffe investment with matching funds: $70,000
- Part of third round SEEDS funding: $15.7 million for 21 projects
- SEEDS Act created in 2023 under Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Game Plan”
- Funds support surveys and studies for site selection
Source: Alabama Department of Commerce announcement