Photo Courtesy of Made in Alabama
Round 3 funding supports 21 industrial sites statewide, strengthening Alabama’s competitiveness for major projects
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama is continuing its push to expand its inventory of development-ready industrial sites, with Governor Kay Ivey announcing that the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) has approved 21 grants totaling $15.7 million through the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program.
The SEEDS initiative is designed to accelerate site readiness and enhance Alabama’s ability to compete for large-scale economic development projects that generate high-quality, high-wage jobs.
Now in its third funding round, the program has supported dozens of communities with land acquisition, site preparation, environmental due diligence, infrastructure improvements and other critical pre-development activities.
Over three years, SEEDS funding combined with required local matches has driven $138 million in investment across 77 industrial sites statewide.
“SEEDS has proven to be a game-changer for Alabama’s economic development, helping communities across our state compete for the transformative projects that create jobs and build prosperity,” Governor Ivey said. “With 77 sites now approved for funding across three rounds, SEEDS continues to deliver on its promise. We’re already seeing major companies choose Alabama because we’ve invested in making our sites ready for development.”
Governor Ivey also noted the program’s rural reach, with 28 rural counties benefiting from SEEDS support.
Round 3 Funding Breakdown
Round 3 SEEDS awards will be matched by $12.3 million in local contributions, supporting 21 industrial sites.
Site Assessment Grants
SIDA approved 12 site assessment grants totaling more than $3 million, focused on early-stage evaluations such as:
- Environmental studies
- Geotechnical surveys
- Due diligence for site certificationevelopment
These grants will benefit sites in:
Blount, Walker, DeKalb, Autauga, Bibb, Lowndes, Jefferson, Russell, Pike and Perry counties, with DeKalb and Jefferson counties each supporting two sites.
Site Development Grants
SIDA also approved nine site development grants totaling $12.7 million for:
- Land acquisition
- Clearing and grading
- Infrastructure and site preparation
Recipient counties include:
Colbert, Geneva, Baldwin, Talladega, Covington, Pike, Jackson, Tuscaloosa and Marion.
A Cornerstone of Alabama’s Growth Strategy
The SEEDS program is a key component of Governor Ivey’s 2023 economic development “Game Plan,” addressing the growing demand for development-ready sites as states nationwide increase investments in site readiness.
Previous rounds include:
- Round 1: $30.1M state funding + $38.4M local match across 29 sites
- Round 2: $23.4M state funding + $18.1M local match across 27 sites
Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said the program gives communities a competitive edge.
“The SEEDS program has quickly become a significant advantage for communities aiming to land high-quality economic development projects,” McNair said. “Through these grants, paired with local contributions, big cities and small towns alike across Alabama are positioning themselves for next-generation development and prosperity.”
McNair added that the program reflects strong statewide collaboration.
“These are smart, strategic investments and further proof of the thriving partnerships around the state that are focused on building a brighter future for all Alabamians,” she said.
