Gov. Riley signs local economic legislation

MONTGOMERY -- Everything fell into place this week to pave the way to a formal acceptance of legislation designed to help lure a major industry to the Shoals that could create at least 1,500 jobs.

On Tuesday, voters statewide increased the state bond ceiling for industrial incentives. On Thursday, Gov. Bob Riley, without fanfare, signed two local sales tax bills geared to help bring the industry to Barton Riverfront Industrial Park in Colbert County.

Both actions were needed in order for the Shoals to be competitive for the project, economic development officials in Montgomery said.

Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson said Riley signed the bills, which authorize the Colbert and Lauderdale commissions to levy half-cent sales taxes to support economic development in the Shoals, particularly a railroad boxcar-company.

Riley previously signed legislation approving the committee that will actually decide how the money from the tax will be-distributed.

Officials haven't identified the company but state senators say it's a railcar company that could create 1,500-1,800 jobs. It's known as Project Tiger.

"I hope they announce any day,'' said Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals.

Emerson said Riley wouldn't respond to speculation that Project Tiger officials were in Alabama on Wednesday to finalize the deal.

Riley began the 2007 legislative session with hopes that the House and Senate would pass major legislation designed to lure major industries to Alabama, including German steel maker ThyssenKrupp and Project Tiger.

After successfully landing ThyssenKrupp, Riley said Project Tiger now represented the state's largest industrial prize.

Until the end of the legislative session, it appeared that Denton wouldn't be able to pass the tax bills through the Senate, which had broken down over a continuing fight about operating rules.

But with just a few remaining legislative days, the Senate logjam broke and local bills, including Denton's, began passing. The House quickly followed suit and sent the Shoals economic incentive bills to Riley's office.

A fourth, less important bill, one that reorganizes the Shoals Economic Development Authority board, was introduced too late in the session and failed.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.