“We are shovel ready in Baldwin County.”

That’s what the website for the South Alabama Megasite proclaims, as the 3,009 acre industrial development site continues to court businesses to Baldwin County.

Located in Bay Minette at the corner of Highway 298 and I-65, the Megasite holds 2,362 acres of developable land that county leaders say is a great asset to have to attract business to Baldwin County.

“It’s an opportunity to diversify Baldwin’s economy so that we’re not just a bedroom community or a tourist destination,” County Commissioner Chris Elliott said. “The aim of the Megasite investment is to gain more good, high-paying jobs that will help improve the quality of life here.”

Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Lee Lawson said the Megasite was essential to helping diversify the county’s economy.

“One thing we saw through the oil spill and various hurricanes is that our tourism industry is definitely susceptible to outside forces,” Lawson said. “White-collar jobs and manufacturing are not. When the oil spill hit, every single manufacturing company kept going, so we need to continue to balance it out.”

Elliott said the hope with a project like the Megasite is to attract major manufacturers like the automotive industry or parts manufacturers for the Airbus facility in Mobile.

“We’re hearing a lot of interest from those major suppliers when we’re out talking to these industry leaders,” Elliott said. “Because of the prime location near major interstates, the port of Mobile and railroad, the Megasite really is in the perfect position for a major industry – and they are going to come.”

Lawson said the county has been in the running for many different businesses possibly wanting to locate here, but the site still has not been the final choice.

“With every one of these we go through, we learn more about what these businesses are looking for and we’re able to tailor our approach better for the future,” Lawson said.

However, Lawson said the county should not just jump at any offer for the Megasite.

“The right fit for our Megasite is going to be manufacturing that brings more development with it,” Lawson said. “It’s not just about building one large facility – we want to be able to attract other manufacturers and industry that will either support them or possibly be complimentary industry to what we bring in.”

North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Director Ashley Jones Davis said the Megasite represents not just opportunity for North Baldwin, but all of the county.

“The Megasite has us poised for greatness in North Baldwin County,” Davis said. “Acquriring and promoting the Megasite is the start of a solid economic future for Baldwin County.”

Davis said the work being done by Lawson and county leaders to attract industry has been helpful and the North Baldwin community is also doing their part.

“We’re doing everything we can do as a chamber and business community to make sure infrastructure is in place to promote industry when it comes,” Davis said. “We’re trying to create the quality of life here that these businesses want to see when they’re thinking about locating here.”

Bringing a major manufacturer to the Megasite won’t just benefit Baldwin County, though.

Figures from BCEDA show a major industry coming to the Megasite would have a direct impact on Baldwin and Mobile counties, as well as six other southwest Alabama counties where the workforce pulls from.

“That’s why it’s called the South Alabama Megasite,” Davis said. “It might be in our backyard, but gaining an industry here will benefit people across our region.”

To learn more about the Megasite, visit southalabamamegasite.com.