Railcar plant officials wait for recovery

For those who have questioned whether a railcar will ever be produced at National Alabama's plant in Barton: There are railcars being made today.

Before getting too excited, the company hasn't landed a huge contract that will spark mass production at the plant.

Frankly, you'll have trouble finding any company filling railcar orders these days. It's just not happening right now and won't until the economy makes enough of a recovery that companies need to move materials again. I've been told there is a significant need to replace old railcars, but there's no rush to do it because demand is not there.

The 120-plus workers at National Alabama, however, are going through the process of producing railcars - probably 40 or 50 of them. The goal is to have the crew ready to go and have the kinks worked out when orders come ...

North American Lighting is calling in a few more workers. Company officials are hush-hush about their operations, but it appears they will begin making taillights for a Honda product in January.

There are about 270 workers at the Muscle Shoals plant.

Officials with North American Lighting have made it clear they are committed to making its Shoals operation a major player in the industry. The good news is automobile manufacturers are talking about producing cars again, and they will need headlights, taillights and similar products ...

Forrest Wright, executive director at the Shoals Economic Development Authority, said activity at his office is picking up. He said there's nothing concrete in the works, but his staff is answering a lot of questions from companies doing their site-selection homework in preparation for moving quickly when the economy rallies.

"Our goal, like everyone else, is to keep from being eliminated during this (site selection) process," Wright said. "We want to make it to the next level ..."

On the retail front, talk about Publix supermarkets coming to the Shoals has emerged again. And this talk may have a little more traction than previous inquiries.

The company is apparently looking at sites on both sides of the Tennessee River.

There also is a lot of talk about new restaurants looking at our area. Two national chains have identified potential new sites near Cox Creek Parkway in Florence.

Muscle Shoals recently saw the opening of Gil's Steakhouse on Avalon Avenue and Sidelines II at Ford and River roads, and is now getting interest from a national chain. Tuscumbia has received a look from someone who wants to open a locally owned restaurant.

Mike Goens can be reached at mike.goens@TimesDaily.com.