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Agriculture has always been important to the economy in North Alabama.  The region's agriculture economy, once dominated by field crops, is now more highly influenced by poultry, timber and livestock. The poultry industry accounts for billions in farm gate sales each year. Cattle and calves, cotton, corn, soybeans, pecans and nursery and greenhouse products also provide significant income to the region. Agribusiness continues to have a positive impact on our region, rural and urban areas alike, as we continue to attract manufacturers of farm-related items as well as further-processors and packaging operations. So much opportunity awaits in North Alabama as the consumer market continues its growth in the South and as consumers continue to demand more convenience and prepared foods.

North Alabama Advantages include:

• A strong food processing base of 78 companies with a combined employment of 13,138.
• A location insuring that product, service suppliers, rendering and cold storage facilities are within close proximity.
• A growing consumer market. North Alabama outpaces state and national growth in the fastest growing market in the United States, the Southeast.

Recent Announcements:

• Americold Logistics 93,000 sq. ft. expansion of refrigerated warehousing space in 2006. This represents a $12 million investment and 35 new jobs in Albertville.
• Bakery Feeds announced the opening of a facility in Albertville. They will be hiring 25-30 employees to recycle inedible bakery waste into animal feed.
• Wayne Farms announced in March 2006 their investment of $42.5 million to add two production lines and 116 jobs to their existing food processing facility in Decatur.

Resources:

Existing Industry

Links:

• USDA Regional Statistics
• Alabama Farmers Facts