Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) has approved 21 grants totaling $15.7 million through the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program, an initiative aimed at strengthening Alabama’s ability to attract large-scale economic development projects.
The SEEDS grant program is designed to improve Alabama’s competitiveness by accelerating the development of industry-ready sites across the state. The funding supports land acquisition, environmental and geotechnical surveys, infrastructure improvements, and other site preparation efforts intended to attract projects that generate jobs and investment.
This marks the third round of SEEDS funding. Over the program’s three years, SEEDS and required local matches have invested a combined $138 million across 77 industrial sites statewide.
“SEEDS has proven to be a game-changer for Alabama’s economic development, helping communities across our state compete for the transformative projects that create jobs and build prosperity,” Governor Ivey said in a statement. “With 77 sites now approved for funding across three rounds, SEEDS continues to deliver on its promise. We’re already seeing major companies choose Alabama because we’ve invested in making our sites ready for development.”
According to the governor’s office, 28 rural counties have received SEEDS support over the program’s duration, extending economic development opportunities throughout the state.
The Round 3 SEEDS awards will be matched by $12.3 million in local contributions, supporting 21 industrial sites. At a meeting Wednesday, SIDA approved 12 site assessment grants totaling more than $3 million, primarily for environmental and geotechnical surveys of early-stage industrial sites. These grants will benefit locations in Blount, Walker, DeKalb, Autauga, Bibb, Lowndes, Jefferson, Russell, Pike and Perry counties, with two sites each in DeKalb and Jefferson counties.
SIDA also approved nine site development grants valued at $12.7 million for projects such as land purchases, site clearing, grading and preparation. These funds will support sites in Colbert, Geneva, Baldwin, Talladega, Covington, Pike, Jackson, Tuscaloosa and Marion counties.
The SEEDS program is a central component of Governor Ivey’s 2023 economic development strategy, referred to as the “Game Plan,” which focuses on expanding the availability of development-ready industrial sites as other states increase investments in similar initiatives.
During the first round of SEEDS funding, $30.1 million was allocated and matched with $38.4 million in local contributions across 29 industrial sites. In the second round, $23.4 million in funding was matched with $18.1 million locally to support 27 sites.
Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said the program continues to support both large and small communities.
“The SEEDS program has quickly become a significant advantage for communities aiming to land high-quality economic development projects,” McNair said. “Through these grants, paired with local contributions, big cities and small towns alike across Alabama are positioning themselves for next-generation development and prosperity.”
McNair added that the investments reflect ongoing collaboration among state and local partners focused on long-term economic growth and job creation throughout Alabama.
