Turning an abandoned mine into new development in Walker County, thanks to coalition and $3M grant

Several state, business and local civic leaders broke ground today at Heritage Landing, a development park in Walker County.

A state-of-the-art, 50-acre development site will be customized for retail, commercial and industrial tenants. The project was facilitated by the Drummond Company and supported by a $3 million federal grant administered by the Alabama Department of Labor.

Joining Governor Kay Ivey at the event were Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington, among others.

Near Birmingham

According to the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ), the project is located immediately adjacent to Interstate 22, right off exit 78 and only 15 minutes from downtown Birmingham and 25 minutes from downtown Jasper. It is adjacent to the community of Yerkwood. 

The land, which was formerly mined, will be reclaimed and made safe by the state’s Abandoned Mine Land Program. 

“I was proud to join the Walker County Development Authority and Drummond Co. to break ground on the new Heritage Park. No doubt, this visionary project is the result of teamwork and innovative thinking, both of which are necessary for Alabama to continue achieving success,” stated Governor Ivey in the BBJ.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2024.

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