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The Demopolis Industrial Development Board (IDB) held a ribbon cutting and lunch to celebrate opening the new connector road for the industrial park. The project has been in the works for at least 25 years and was spearheaded by John Cox Webb.

Kirk Stephens, Director of the IDB, said the event was an appreciation for the board as well as a celebration for the new road. Stephens said when he first joined the IDB, he spoke with Mayor Woody Collins about the project as he had heard many things about it, but didn’t know what it entailed.

The project hit some road bumps along the way. The initial cost was $125,000, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the price for the project jumped to $357,000 with the rising cost of materials.

“But, thanks to Diane Brooker’s leadership, the Industrial Development Board, the City of Demopolis, and MCEDA, everyone pitched in and we were finally able to connect the north side and south side of the park,” said Stephens. “I really appreciate that.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephens said from a traffic standpoint, the connector road will improve traffic through the park and will help everything move smoothly. Stephens also said that there is a lot of land within the park on the north, south, and western sides that is available for development.

“If there is any opportunity for us to talk with someone and try to recruit more businesses in town, please contact us,” said Stephens. “Contact anyone on the Industrial Development Board and we’ll chase that rabbit down the hole.”

Collins said that without business and industry, there is no community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Yes, we have the hospital, our healthcare and the school system, but there would be no need for them if we didn’t have industry here,” said Collins. “But that road down there should be named Persistence because it started 32 years ago. It looks like a little road to most people, but to us it is a monumental occasion and we’re so happy about it.”

Stephens and Collins thanked the local industries for the support they show to the community and asked that they continue the work they are doing.

Other members of the IDB are Lee Pritchett, Vice Chairman, Marty Duckworth, Marengo County Commissioner Freddie Armstead, Jr, Diane Brooker, Evelyn James, Shawn Hall, Charles Singleton, Doug Brewer, CEO/Administrator at Whitfield Regional Hospital, and Mayor Woody Collins.