(Lynn, Alabama, January 17, 2008) -- Citizens from across Winston County gathered in a large open field approximately 5.5 miles north of Corridor X, soon to be Interstate 22, just off Highway 13 and County Road 9 in southwest Winston County to commemorate the groundbreaking on the new Winston County Industrial Park mega site.

The park is the first of what is hoped to be many community and economic development projects undertaken in the years to come by The Cooperative District of Winston County, Inc.—a strategic partnership between Addison, Arley, Double Springs, Haleyville, Lynn, the Winston County Commission, and the Industrial Development Authority of Winston County, Alabama, Inc.

This groundbreaking symbolizes more than simply the beginning of a large-scale project. This groundbreaking also symbolizes what rural regional communities can do when they work together and pool their resources for a common purpose and the overall good of the people. The Winston County Industrial Park would not have been possible without the long-term foresight, commitment, and the courageous leadership shown by many community leaders from across the county. This project could not have been completed by any one community by itself, but required the collective effort and excellence that comes from the people of Winston County working together for the long-term sustainability of the Winston County community.

The Industrial Development Authority of Winston County, Alabama, Inc. is overseeing and managing the project for the Cooperative District of Winston County, Inc. The engineering firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Caywood , Inc. is overseeing the engineering studies, site design and construction of the park. Dutton, Webb and Associates, Inc., a local surveying firm is overseeing the land surveying. Traders and Farmers Bank, and The Frazier Lanier Company are providing the short-term and long-term financing for the project. The law firm of Lowe, Mobley and Lowe is providing legal counsel for the project.

The project has already received $125,000 from Senator Roger Bedford's office in support of developing industrial access and infrastructure. A special appropriations request is currently being prepared for submission on February 4, 2008. Several other grants and funding initiatives are underway.

The site has been submitted to the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama as an Alabama AdvantageSite. Work continues on this initiative and the Industrial Development Authority of Winston County, Alabama, Inc. is optimistic the Winston County Industrial Park will be named an AlabamaAdvantage site later this year.

The Winston County Industrial Park represents the best of what the people of Winston County can do when they work together for the common good of the people of Winston County and the region.