Industry Eyes Monroeville
4-20-17-Industry Eyes Monroeville BY MIKE QUALLS MANAGING EDITOR
Monroeville officials shared more good economic news Tuesday during the City Council meeting at City Hall, announcing that another company is considering the city for the location of a production plant this year.
Mayor Joseph Oglesby asked the council to approve a proposal to solicit bids for modifications to be made to the interior of the former Sign & Design Company building to help entice a new company to locate in Monroeville’s Industrial Park.
Specific details about the company, which is being referred to as Project Wayne, cannot be released at this time due to a confidentiality agreement.
During a work session prior to the council meeting, Whitney Hurt, executive director of the Monroeville/Monroe County Economic Development Authority (MMCEDA), said the company’s officials actually began considering Monroeville about two years ago and have narrowed their choices down with the city still in the mix.
Oglesby said the construction bid would be advertised for 21 days as required by state law and the bids will be opened May 12 at City Hall. He said the council will decide at the May 16 council meeting whether to go forward with the modifications.
“Negotiations with the company are going well and we’re very optimistic about the city’s chances,” said Oglesby.
In other business, the council awarded the bids for site work and paving at the Industrial Park associated with MillenniumBlok to R&R Contractors in Monroeville. R&R submitted the low bids for both projects.
The site work bid was $213,186 and the paving bid was $131,857.
Monroeville received grant funds for each project. The city received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $300,000 for the site work and a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) grant for $150,000 for the paving.
The DRA grant was awarded through the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission (ATRC).
During the work session, the council also met with Jess Nicholas, assistant director of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance (CGREDA), in executive session for about 40 minutes to discuss another company that may decide to locate in the city.
CGREDA represents the interests of Monroe, Conecuh, Escambia, Choctaw and Clarke counties by supporting existing industry and recruiting new industry to the region.
Following the executive session, no details of the discussion were made public.
On another financial matter, the council agreed to seek finance proposals for $85,880, which is to be used to purchase a new Jaws of Life for the Monroeville Fire and Rescue Department.
Oglesby said the city will secure the financing for a three-year term and the loan will be repaid by the Fire and Rescue Department.
