$471,235 in SEEDS Development Grant monies awarded to Brilliant for industrial site prep

From reports by Made in Alabama, C3’s Tom Wisemiller & the Town of Brilliant

BRILLIANT — Declaring a “Major win for the Town of Brilliant and Marion County,” C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance President and CEO Tim Wisemiller recently shared more information about a SEEDS Development Grant recently awarded to the town.
“I’m thrilled to share the Town of Brilliant has been awarded a SEEDS Development Grant as part of Governor Kay Ivey's announcement of $15.7 million in SEEDS grants across Alabama,” he said.
“This investment will fund site clearance, grading and construction of a 50,000 square-foot building pad at the Gateway I-22 Industrial Park (West).”
C3 and Wisemiller helped with the grant application on the front end, with strategizing and other considerations. They also wrote the grant applications and will now support the project’s process.
Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks explained the town had applied for the grant last year.
“The grant is for $471,235,” he noted, also mentioning the site clearing, grading and building pad construction the funds will be used for.
“We are happy to get this grant and these upgrades should level the playing field on our industrial park and others we are competitive with.
“We have lost other projects to sites which were ready to build on. With this grant, we will have a site ready for businesses to look at.
“I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey, Senator Garlan Gudger, Representative Tracy Estes and the Commerce Department. I really believe this site will help elevate the Town of Brilliant.”
Wisemiller also shared more on why the grant and the upgrades it will fund are important to Brilliant.
“This matters because just 0.75 miles from I-22 Exit 30, the SEEDS project site lies at the entrance of the approximately 130-acre industrial park, where all utilities are accessible,” he said.
“Combined with proximity to the Hampton Inn and other Exit 30 amenities, Brilliant is now positioned to compete for advanced manufacturing, logistics, metal fabrication and defense industry projects that create quality, high-paying jobs.
“Last year, Brilliant narrowly missed winning a manufacturing project that would have brought 60 jobs and $18 million in investments. The lack of a prepared, development-ready site derailed a potential deal.”
Wisemiller mentioned Brilliant’s coal heritage past and its readiness for a manufacturing future.
“For Brilliant, a former coal community in the Appalachian foothills, this project can propel future economic transformation,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to the partnerships which made the SEEDS Development Grant possible.
“Thank you to Governor Ivey, Secretary Ellen McNair and Made in Alabama (Alabama Department of Commerce) and the Economic Development Association of Alabama for their commitment to rural Alabama,” he said.
“With 77 sites funded across three years, Governor Ivey's SEEDS vision is delivering results. Our C3 team now has another market-ready product to offer prospects in Alabama's growing I-22 corridor. Here's to building a brighter future for Northwest Alabama!”

More about SEEDS
The State Industrial Development Authority of Alabama approved eight more SEEDS grants besides Brilliant’s, for a total of $12.7 million.
SEEDS stands for Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy. This program, a cornerstone of Governor Ivey’s 2023 “Game Plan” for economic development, addresses the urgent need for quality industrial sites at a time when other states are investing heavily in similar programs.
“The SEEDS program has quickly become a significant advantage for communities aiming to land high-quality economic development projects,” said Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair.
“Through these grants, paired with local contributions, big cities and small towns alike across Alabama are positioning themselves for next-generation development and prosperity.
“These are smart, strategic investments and further proof of the thriving partnerships around the state that are focused on building a brighter future for all Alabamians.”