Trucking company to locate in Jackson
By Evan Carden SA Editor

Economic growth was the focus of the Jackson City Council during its regular meeting Tuesday, announcing another business which plans to locate to the area.

The council voted to pass a resolution designating 27 acres on Highway 43 South as the first of the city's enterprise zone. The first business announcing its intention to locate there is Evergreen Trucking, which plans to open a terminal in Jackson that will employ 55 people. Evergreen is owned by Walter Poole, former owner of Poole Truck Lines.

Mayor Richard Long explained that an enterprise zone allows the city to offer tax incentives to new or expanding businesses planning to locate to the area. "This allows us to abate sales tax on equipment and other startup items to entice businesses to come in," he said. "We can also abate property ad valorem taxes for up to 10 years, which is what we will do for Evergreen."

Councilman Daron Bolen said the measure allows the city to offer incentives to companies that do not meet the requirements to qualify for state incentives. He said the county can have up to 10,000 acres of enterprise zoned property.

"We are excited about this and will also offer some of the same incentives to Gulf Lumber through a new ordinance offered by the state," added Long.

Gulf announced last week that it would purchase the Boise sawmill and plans to begin operations there beginning next month. The agreement will bring 75-80 jobs back to Jackson, according to the mayor.

"We welcome the Stimpson family to Jackson," he said. "They have a long history here and have owned property in the area for a number of years."

Walgreens plans approved

Long also reported that the city's planning commission met with Walgreens officials Tuesday and approved the plans for the new Walgreens Pharmacy to be located on College Avenue between McDonald's and the Shell service station. He said demolition of the old armory and other buildings will begin next week.

"Walgreens has purchased all of the property between the Shell and McDonald's and will use about 75 percent of it, with part of the property to be reserved for future development," said Long. "It will be a beautiful complex and an exciting change for Jackson."

Groundbreaking ceremony

for new police complex

Earlier in the day, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Jackson Police Complex was conducted at the construction site next to city hall.

"We are proud to finally have this long-awaited project under way," said Long during the council meeting.

Police Chief Charles Burge expressed his appreciation to the mayor and council for the much anticipated complex, the cost of which is estimated at $1 million and will be much larger than the current police station. "We look forward to moving into it in a few months," he said.

Check presented to

chamber of commerce

The city council made its annual allocation of funds to the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce during Tuesday's meeting. Speaking on behalf of the chamber, Marty Parker thanked the council for its continued support. Other board members of the chamber in attendance included its director LaShaunda Holly, President Beth Criswell, Althea Thomas and Nick Waugh.

City to address unsightly

buildings downtown

John Brown addressed the council on behalf of the city's planning commission concerning several unsightly buildings in the downtown area. "We are requesting that the council follow the ordinances as written addressing the problems of deteriorating buildings in the downtown area," he said.

He named the old Slayton building next to Vanity Park Drive and the building across the street. "We also ask that the city council enforce the ordinance dealing with a junk and salvage yard that is located in the downtown area," he added.

"I believe the council understands what is being put before us," said Mayor Long. "We will start with legal council on this matter and move from there."

Other business

The council approved the following:

*Two streetlights on College Avenue in front of Pine City Village, one on Evan Lane and one at the ramp from Highway 69 to Highway 43;

*A bond issue for up to $2.15 million for the New Era Cap Company expansion;

*A public notice to be published for the Feb. 13 regular council meeting, during which tax incentives for Gulf Lumber Company-Jackson LLC will be considered;

*Publication of a notice of a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., prior to the Feb. 13 council meeting, to consider the endorsement of Evergreen Transportation for making an application for state and local tax incentives available through the Alabama Enterprise Zone Program.

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