Locals respond to company locating in Shoals

Local residents are expressing support for National Alabama Corp., the area's newest large-scale employer.

"It will be good for the Shoals area because we need industry here," said Mary Harrison, of Florence.

Harrison said new industry helps keep young people in the area.

"This industry is going to be beneficial to increasing our number of jobs," she said.

Foy Wagnon, of Sheffield, said he was impressed that the company had decided to locate in the Shoals area.

"It will help all of the towns," he said.

The economic impact from the company will be widespread, Wagnon said.

"I think it's wonderful," said Jane Greer, of Anderson. "A lot of younger families are looking for employment."

Neal Greer, also of Anderson, said he would love to see more industry come in along with the railcar company.

"We have a lot to offer in this area. Maybe when other industry sees this area growing, they may reconsider coming here," he said.

Derriel Burney, of Muscle Shoals, voiced similar thoughts and said the announcement that the railcar is coming was the biggest news he's heard in the Shoals in a long time.

"It puts so many people to work," he said. "It will have no telling how many spin-offs. They'll have suppliers and will have other companies coming in."

Mansel Long, of Tuscumbia, said his main concern is for companies that locate to the area to have sensitivity toward being an equal opportunity employer, hiring regardless of gender or race.

Long said local officials should be commended for their recruiting efforts to bring the company to northwest Alabama.

"It's a tribute to the governmental leadership here, and economic development people play a role because they lure people to the area," Long said.

The half-cent sales tax increase for local economic development is also what area leaders say helped attract the company to the Shoals.

The tax increase will take effect Aug. 1, and will help generate an estimated $6 million a year.

The money, which will be used for economic development purposes, will go into a fund overseen by the Shoals Industrial Development Committee, which must approve all expenditures.

Local residents who were asked said their feelings toward the tax hike are positive.

"If the money is going to be used for that purpose, to attract industry, I have no problem with that," Harrison said.

Jane Greer agreed.

"I don't know how they use that to lure someone, but if that's what it takes, I don't have a problem," Jane Greer said.

A previous employee of the local Ford Plant several years back, Wagnon said he understands the importance of supporting industry and bringing jobs to the Shoals.

"Anytime you add an important business to an area, you put your name forward as a community, and it always helps," Wagnon said.

TimesDaily Staff Writer Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.