BREAKING NEWS

For Immediate Release

 Baldwin EMC Site receives AdvantageSite Designation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The AdvantageSite program requires that community economic development organizations provide documentation specific to a proposed industrial site, including a set of standard data related to ownership/
control, environmental and geotechnical conditions, and infrastructure status. Sites must also meet size,
zoning and accessibility requirements.

“In an effort to help bring jobs and recruit industry to Baldwin County and our region, we knew it was
important to have our property attain the AdvantageSite designation,” said Bucky Jakins, CEO of Baldwin
Electric Membership Corporation.

The 56-acre site is located on Highway 59 North in Bay Minette.

“The City of Bay Minette has formed a dynamic alliance with the designation of the Baldwin EMC
site, Baldwin County’s first AdvantageSite”, said Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery. “This designation
emphasizes the opportunities we have for positive change through partnerships with industry. We are
optimistic that industry locating on this site will allow us to together create a strong network that will build a
prosperous future for manufacturing and our workforce.”

“The Advantage Site designation not only shows that we are serious about attracting new industry to our
area, but also is a reflection of the harmonious efforts of the city leaders in Bay Minette, The Industrial
Development Board, and The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance,” said Craig Helms,
chairman of the Bay Minette Industrial Development Board. “Good things happen when people work
together.”

The application process was managed locally by the BCEDA with a team of local entities supporting and/or
participating in the process.

“The designation would not have been possible without the support and help of many allies and partners,”
said Josh Thornton, vice president of BCEDA. “ This program is definitely a team effort and brings
everyone in the community together throughout the process. The Baldwin EMC site designation is a great
recruiting asset and we will use this site to bring in new jobs and investment to the north Baldwin area.”
 

“The Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance is proud to have partnered with the Alabama
AdvantageSite committee in working to obtain designation for the Baldwin EMC Site,” said BCEDA
Chairman Stan Szapiel. “The availability of a certified shovel ready site in north Baldwin will be a great
recruiting tool for us and we will join Alabama Development Office, The Economic Development
Partnership of Alabama, The Baldwin County Commission, PowerSouth and the city of Bay Minette in aggressively marketing the property to high paying corporate clients.”

AdvantageSite is a teamwork approach between the private sector and state and local governments geared toward having prepared product and materials ready for industrial prospects. The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Development Office, Alabama Gas Corporation, Alabama Power Company, the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Representatives from each of the entities actively participate in application reviews and on-site visits to prospective AdvantageSite designees.

“We are very excited to add the Baldwin County site to the list of designated AdvantageSites,” said Greg Knighton, EDPA vice president and director of business information. “We know that Baldwin County is a fast-growing county, and believe this designation will further help the Baldwin County team with its economic development efforts.”
AdvantageSite is a voluntary industrial site preparedness program created in order to make the state more competitive for companies considering a location in Alabama.

For more information on the AdvantageSite program, please visit www.edpa.org/bsc/advantagesites.asp.

To read EDPA's press release, please click here.

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