Construction of the first building in a three-phase Macon County logistics park is slated to begin this summer.
The Regional East Alabama Logistics Park, situated along Interstate 85, is a partnership among the Macon County Economic Development Authority, Farpoint Development and Tuskegee businessmen Jimmy and Wayne Bassett.
The park will comprise 683 acres, with about 13 buildings offering 5 million square feet of space, once all three phases are completed in seven to 10 years.
Construction on the first building, a 169,000-square-foot industrial commercial structure, is expected to begin this summer.
“To have a park plan of this size, scope and partners with world-class abilities means we have a broad team working together bringing their own dollars and networks into landing projects and creating new jobs,” MCEDA Director Joe Turnham said. “The right team, the right project in the right place and at the right time — this initial investment has the potential to be a tipping point in our community’s development for decades to come.”
An economic impact analysis by the University of Alabama’s Center for Business & Economic Research shows the completed project will bring $386 million in new economic capital investment, adding more than 1,000 new direct jobs.
The park is two miles north of Tuskegee, 15 miles from Auburn, fewer than 35 miles from the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, and about 50 miles from Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery.
“Having an available building onsite will kickstart the development team’s efforts to quickly capitalize on the possibilities in industries such as automotive, aerospace, forest products and manufacturing,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
