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The Demopolis Airport and Demopolis South industrial parks each officially received the Alabama AdvantageSite designation on Tuesday.

The AdvantageSite program requires that community economic development organizations provide documentation specific to a proposed industrial site, including a set of standard data related to ownership and control, environmental and geotechnical conditions, and infrastructure status. Sites must also meet size, zoning and accessibility requirements.

“Having Industrial sites prepared through a program such as the AdvantageSite makes Demopolis more competitive for companies considering locating in Alabama. It shows prospects that we are serious about industrial development and we are prepared for them,” said Diane Brooker, chair of the Demopolis Industrial Development Board.

The information on AdvantageSites is readily available online where many manufacturers begin their search for possible sites.

“Having these two industrial parks certified as Alabama AdvantageSites immediately provides our community with a competitive edge in the industrial recruitment process and places us in a position to proactively attract industry and create new jobs,” said Marengo County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Jo Ellen Martin. “By achieving this status, we have already completed much of the necessary groundwork for them and streamlined their location process by conducting environmental, geotechnical and wetland studies among others.”

AdvantageSites are featured on the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s building and sites database, the statewide database of industrial buildings and sites uded by site selection consultants, state economic developers, and companies looking to expand in Alabama.  The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Commerce, Spire, Alabama Power Company, the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and is coordinated by the EDPA.

“I sincerely thank the Demopolis Industrial Development Board and the City of Demopolis for their vision and their investment of time and capital to make this a reality as well as the efforts of the EDPA; Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Engineers; and the Marengo County Economic Development Authority. It was a team effort that will result in huge dividends for everyone,” said Sean Lytle who presented officials with the certifications Tuesday.

The Airport Industrial Park is 108 acres and the Demopolis South Park is 80 acres.

For more information about the AdvantageSite program, visit edpa.org/about-us/advantagesite/#

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, July 3 issue of the Demopolis Times.)