Mercedes Suppliers Eye 3,200 New Jobs For Area In Coming Years

NORTHPORT, AL — Here's everything you need to know from Monday night's regular meeting of the Northport City Council.

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Economic development update

Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) Executive Director Danielle Winningham addressed Mayor Bobby Herndon and the Council, providing updates on efforts over the last few months, while also looking ahead to the future.

Big takeaway: When asked for an update on potential job growth at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Winningham said after conversations with MBUSI's purchasing and supplier side, suppliers to the German automaker are looking to bring 3,200 jobs to the area within the next 2-3 years as it expands into the electric vehicle market.

Quotable: "We will on some level have people moving in for those jobs [at MBUSI]. There will be research and development type jobs, as well as advanced manufacturing type jobs. There would be some upscaling needed in workforce development, then we can sort of move people up in advancement of their careers and teach those employees to backfill those jobs." — Winningham.

Big numbers: Winningham said in the first 8-9 months in her role at TCEDA, $92 million in investment and almost 500 jobs have been announced for the area. Looking ahead to the future, Wimningham pointed out that a $1.5 million Growing Alabama grant will be used for an access road to the Airport Industrial Park, which is expected to free up 300-400 acres of developable property that can be used to lure to new business and industry to Tuscaloosa County.

In other Council business ...

- A brief public presentation will be provided at the next City Council meeting on May 17 concerning the feasibility study for the proposed water park in Northport. Victus Advisors — a feasibility consultant firm out of Salt Lake City, Utah — was contracted for the study last October. (More on Patch)

- Monday was the first official City Council meeting for new Northport City Administrator Glenda Webb, who was presented with the Janice C. Looney Community Partnership Award by the Alabama Marines Foundation for her work with veterans.

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