Labor survey nets 2,850 applications

Officials were hoping for 1,000 names, but when the numbers were counted Thursday, more than double that number had responded to a call for workers.

"We ended up with 2,850 calls,'' said Macke Mauldin, chairman of the Shoals Economic Development Authority.

Local officials say a large heavy steel fabrication company is looking closely at Barton Industrial Park for a major operation.

The company will need 1,000-plus workers, said Humphrey Lee, president at Northwest-Shoals Community College. He said welders, in particular, are a priority.

"The company officials wanted to make sure our area could supply the labor force,'' Mauldin said.

Northwest-Shoals has been conducting a survey to help determine the availability of works and the number who have welding skills or would be willing to learn such skills.

Colbert County Commissioner Troy Woodis said the volume of calls picked up Tuesday evening and throughout the day Wednesday.

"We presented the community with a challenge, and they met it," Woodis said.

Lee said the volume of calls was so heavy that three phone lines had to be designated for the survey.

Mauldin praised the assistance from Northwest-Shoals officials.

"I can't say enough about Northwest-Shoals and how they stepped up on this,'' Mauldin said.

The final numbers have been presented to the company, he said.

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

"We have had local and state leadership leading this charge in cooperation with the private sector,'' Mauldin said. "I pray every night that we can get this.''

Woodis said the prospective industry would require 300 acres at the industrial park.

"We've done all we've been asked by the company," Mauldin said. "We'll just wait and see what happens and hope for the best."