Features Editor

Brundidge has been awarded a $1 million grant that will enable construction of a facility which will bring

between 450 and 600 jobs to the city.

Gov. Don Siegelman notified Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage on Tuesday the grant has been approved for land acquisition and construction of a sewer system.

The funds will be used for improvements that will enable Wal-Mart, one of the nation’s largest retail chains, to build a distribution center just west of Brundidge off U.S. Highway 231 and south of Pike County Road 6.

"These improvements will help Brundidge and Pike County to continue to grow and prosper and provide vital jobs for area citizens," Siegelman said. "I am pleased to assist the community to attract this new facility."

Ramage said he is excited about the governor’s announcement.

"The notification is a part of the continuing effort to bring about the reality of this project that will greatly benefit Brundidge, Pike County and surrounding counties," Ramage said. "Approval of the grant means that we can move ahead with the plans in place to bring a 900,000-square-foot Wal-Mart distribution center to Brundidge. Ground will be broken in March and the center should be open for business in Sept. 2003."

Ramage said Wal-Mart plans to invest an estimated $40 million in site work and construction of the facility. The city’s match for the grant is $200,000.

"Of course, we are very excited that Wal-Mart chose Brundidge as the location of its newest, and largest, distribution center," Ramage said.

"It took a team effort to pull everything together, from the governor’s office on down to the local level, and we appreciate all of the effort that has gone into the project. But, the thing that is most exciting about the Wal-Mart project is that it is good, not just for Brundidge, but for Pike and surrounding counties. It shows the direction we should be moving is toward regionalism. What affects one county, affects the surrounding counties. What is good for one of us is good for the others."

Brundidge has been the benefactor of other projects that are bringing new jobs and great optimism to the area.

"The expansion at Carter Brothers Manufacturing Company and the opening of Southern Classic Food Group have brought about 150 new jobs to our area," Ramage said.

"Through the efforts of Sen. Wendell Mitchell, a street is being opened to connect Highway 10 to College Street, diverting truck traffic from the downtown area. So, we have a lot of things going for us right now. I would say that the future of Brundidge looks brighter than its past. It’s good to be able to say that."