More names needed to help land 'the big one'

"The big one," is how Macke Mauldin described an industry that's looking at a site in Barton Industrial Park.

"This is a big deal. This could alter the face of the economy of the Shoals for the next 20 years,'' said Mauldin, chairman of the Shoals Economic Development Authority.

Local officials say a large, heavy steel fabrication company is looking closely at Barton as a possible site for a major operation. The company will need more than 1,000 workers, said Humphrey Lee, president at Northwest-Shoals Community College.

In particular, the company will need welders, Lee said.

In an effort to assure company officials that the area has the required labor force, Northwest-Shoals has been asked to help determine the availability of workers and the number of those workers who have welding skills or would be willing to quickly learn those skills.

Northwest-Shoals is conducting a survey to find workers. Those with welding experience or an interest should call 331-5444 or e-mail wdt@nwscc.edu by midnight today.

"All we need is the person's name, telephone number and residence," Lee said. "This is for people who are trained welders or would like to be trained to work in heavy steel fabrication,'' Lee said.

He said college officials began collecting the survey information Monday, and by 2 p.m. Tuesday, had 500 responses.

"Monday was a bit slow, but Monday night and today the calls have been coming in,'' Lee said.

Mauldin said getting the required labor force will help boost the Barton site.

"(The industry officials) are very savvy business people," Mauldin said. "They don't want to spend millions of their dollars to come to an area that can't supply the labor force. I'm pleased with how the numbers are coming; they're not overwhelming but they are coming in pretty strong.

"I think we're going to be where everyone can be comfortable. I can't believe we can't find 800, 1,000 or 2,000 qualified people out there.''

Mauldin wouldn't say that not getting 800 or more responses to the survey would kill the area's hopes of landing the industry.

"You never know what's going to get you out of a project. I don't know if this is a deal breaker, but I wouldn't want to go to this company without the numbers,'' Mauldin said.

Lee said he is optimistic that there will be 1,000 responses, "but if we can get 1,500, we'll be in better shape.''

The Shoals appears to be among the top five possible sites for the project, local officials said. It's unclear when the company plans to make a decision.

Mauldin said all local governments are working together on the project.

"They are working to make this a new world for us, our children and our grandchildren,'' Mauldin said.

SCA Tissue now occupies about 800 acres at Barton Industrial Park.

Colbert County Commissioner Troy Woodis said there is still about 800 acres left at the Barton site and this prospective industry would require 300 acres.

"This kind of industry was what was envisioned at Barton,'' Woodis said. "This is the type of industry this community asked SEDA to bring here 20 years ago, and now, we have a chance to bring it here.''

Officials are not releasing details about the company, but Mauldin said the industry is one that will "continue to grow in demand.''

"They provide a product that will continue to be in demand, not diminish,'' he said.

Mauldin and Woodis said the company would offer careers to the employees.

"The survey is not trying to find builders to build the building, this is for a career job,'' Woodis said.

"I really believe we can meet and exceed the expectations of this company,'' Mauldin said. "This is our grand slam if we can land it.''

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.