July 2025

The Shoals region continues to position itself as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing and industrial investment. We’re excited to share several updates on speculative buildings and site development efforts that are helping us compete more effectively—and offer faster solutions to prospective companies.

Two Speculative Buildings – Available Now

As part of our ongoing strategy to improve speed-to-market for potential industrial tenants, two speculative buildings are now complete and actively being marketed for sale or lease. These sites represent a strong public-private effort to prepare our region for new jobs and investment.

• 150,000 SF | Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park
• 625 Gerrard Drive, Florence, AL
• Light Industrial Zoning
• 17-acre site
• Located within a well-established park setting
• 250,000 SF | Shoals Research Airpark
• 290 Counts Drive, Muscle Shoals, AL
• Heavy Industrial Zoning
• 40-acre site
• Easily accessible for transportation and logistics

Both facilities feature modern infrastructure and are located in communities known for their strong workforce and history of manufacturing success.

Site Preparation Underway – Future 300,000 SF Opportunity

In addition to our vertical product, site work is currently underway on a new speculative building pad in the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park. This site will support a 300,000-square-foot facility, with infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, and natural gas) being installed now. Work is expected to be complete by the end of August.

This project is supported through key partnerships with the SEEDS Act, TVA InvestPrep, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA)—and is a great example of how regional cooperation and investment are helping us stay competitive.

You can view recent drone footage of the site’s progress below:

These developments are not just about buildings—they represent job creation, new revenue, and opportunities for people across our community.

We encourage you to share this information with your networks and help us continue promoting The Shoals as a ready, capable, and collaborative region.

We’re excited to announce the renewal of the Employment Growth Program (EGP)! This initiative continues to play a vital role in supporting quality job creation across our region by offering a streamlined incentive process for eligible businesses. Designed to encourage full-time employment growth, the EGP provides direct assistance to companies, bringing new job opportunities to citizens in the Shoals. Between 2024 and 2025, five companies participated in the program, collectively creating 26 new jobs with an average starting wage of $19.12 per hour. That’s over $915,000 in new annual payroll added to our local economy. We’re proud to see the ongoing impact of this program on both our community and our existing industries.

For more information or to request an application, please contact Rob Jones at (256) 349-5632 or rjones@shoalseda.com.

We’re excited to announce the renewal of the Shoals Music Makers program — a unique initiative designed to attract and support artists who choose to record right here in the legendary Shoals music community.

This program offers qualified musicians and producers the opportunity to receive up to 30% back on eligible recording-related expenses when they bring their projects to studios in The Shoals.

Whether you're an emerging artist or an established act, this is your chance to create in the same iconic environment that shaped music history — and get rewarded for it.

💻 Learn more and apply today at shoalsmusicmakers.com

The purpose of the Shoals Manufacturers' Association (SMA) is to foster a working relationship among Shoals area manufacturers and to promote a healthy business climate, making it feasible for existing companies to expand and/or remain in the Shoals area in a working partnership with the Shoals Economic Development Authority. Shoals area companies involved in the manufacture of products and parts for profit are invited to join SMA.​

For more information, including the cost to join, visit our website. To join or for any questions, contact Rob Jones, Shoals EDA, at (256) 349-5632 or e-mail at rjones@shoalseda.com.