Northeast Alabama Regional MegaSite
The Northeast Alabama Regional MegaSite, also called the NEAR MegaSite, the Little Canoe Creek Industrial Megasite, or the Etowah MegaSite is a 1,100-acre industrial site under development by the Gadsden Etowah Industrial Development Authority on property owned by Etowah County at 705 Bynum Industrial Drive along I-59 between Steele and Attalla.
The County formed a "NEAR Commission" which began acquiring property for the proposed development in 2008. With input from the Industrial Development Authority, the Etowah County Commission determined to proceed with development of a "MegaSite" for a single large employer rather than to create a multi-tenant industrial park, or build a sports complex. The property was designated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama as an "AdvantageSite" in 2018.
Norfolk-Southern Railroad's capital investments made to improve service to the site have qualified the company for "Growing Alabama" tax credits offered by the Alabama Department of Commerce. Alabama Power constructed a 40 MVA, 2 breaker, 115-46-12.47 kV substation adjacent to the site beginning in 2020.
References
- Parker, Illyshia (August 11, 2023) "Norfolk Southern investment into Alabama mega-site reaches $8.7 million." Birmingham Business Journal