A 121-acre parcel along the Foley Beach Express will become Baldwin County’s newest industrial development site through a partnership involving the City of Foley, Baldwin Alliance and the state of Alabama.
The City of Foley will purchase the property located near the southwest corner of the intersection of the Foley Beach Express and Baldwin Beach Express. The acquisition is supported by a grant of nearly $3.33 million from the Alabama Industrial Development Authority through the state’s Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program.
The funding announcement was made Thursday, March 19, by the Alabama Department of Commerce during the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Series.
Gov. Kay Ivey said the investment will help position Foley and the surrounding region for continued economic growth.
“Alabama is making smart, targeted investments to ensure communities like Foley continue to compete and win,” Ivey said. “Through our SEEDS program, we are strategically positioning this 121-acre site in Baldwin County for future, long-term growth and building on the strong economic momentum we’re seeing along our Gulf Coast.”
As Foley continues to grow, available space in the city’s existing industrial park has become increasingly limited. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the new site will help meet demand while creating opportunities for jobs and economic expansion.
“This announcement is a great step forward for Foley,” Hellmich said. “I want to thank the Foley team and our partners Baldwin Alliance, Riviera Utilities, EMC, Alabama Economic Development and Governor Kay Ivey.”
A state committee selected the Foley site as the top choice among 16 potential industrial locations across Alabama, highlighting its strong potential for development.
The new industrial site will help the city keep pace with increasing demand for development-ready property, positioning Foley to attract new employers and support continued growth in the region.
“This is a major win for Foley and for Baldwin County,” said Lee Lawson, Baldwin Alliance president and chief executive officer. “Having development-ready sites is critical to competing for today’s economic development projects. This investment ensures we are prepared to attract large-scale industries that bring quality, high-paying jobs to our community.”
Since the beginning of the year, Gov. Ivey has announced $15.7 million in SEEDS funding for 21 industrial sites across Alabama. The program is designed to prepare sites for immediate industrial use through investments in land acquisition, site preparation, environmental studies and infrastructure improvements.
Over the past three years, the SEEDS program, combined with local matching funds, has generated $138 million in investment across 77 sites statewide.
Ellen McNair, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the project reflects Foley’s commitment to long-term planning and economic development.
“The SEEDS program is about ensuring communities have the tools they need to compete and win,” McNair said. “Foley’s investment demonstrates forward-thinking leadership and strengthens Baldwin County’s position as a destination for high-impact economic development.”
The Baldwin Alliance will continue working with state and local partners to recruit new industries, diversify the local economy and create sustainable opportunities for residents of Foley and Baldwin County.