Since economic development is vital to the continued survival of our area, counties, cities, and communities, we will introduce the people behind the scenes of the area’s local industrial development parks.

This month our focus shifts from Lamar county back to Marion county and the Brilliant Industrial Park.

Brilliant, situated among the foothills of the Northwest Alabama mountain region, has a long colorful history - and a history and they hope will continue into the future.
The town of Brilliant was built around the coal mining industry in the late 1800’s early 1900’s, and was incorporated in 1927.

Since his election as Mayor in 2000, Perry Franks has worked tirelessly to make connections and build relationships for the betterment of his community and county.
From the very beginning of his, now seven years in office, Franks, along with his council started the process of formulating plans for an industrial park. Eighty acres of property for the industrial park was purchased in 2004, and the city now has an option on fifty more additional acres.
The Brilliant Industrial Park is located one mile south of Corridor X / I-22 off of highway 129 and is ready for occupancy.

Although not affiliated with any specific county development boards, Brilliant’s council works steadily on park infrastructure details, while Franks focuses mainly on recruitment.

Infrastructure, the life-blood of an industrial park such as this, must be in place or at the ready before industries will give serious thought to locating their business into a community.
Currently the Park’s infrastructure is comprised of the following:

-- Electricity - Tombigbee EC will provide power, with a substation within one-half mile of the park
-- Water/Sewer - water is currently on site; and sewer will be available upon demand
-- Garbage - the City of Brilliant provides general garbage pickup, with BFI used for larger projects
-- Fire - Brilliant, with an impressive fire-rating of 5 will respond to fire needs in the Park
-- Police - the City of Brilliant police department will be on call for Park security needs
-- Telephone - fiber optic lines from CenturyTel
-- Internet - CenturyTel, and Tombigbee.Net.
-- Gas - Northwest AL Gas

As with most other industrial parks in our immediate area, I-22 “Corridor X” will play an important part in securing prospects for the park. “Our closeness to I-22 is greatly beneficial due to the easy access for the trucking and shipping of goods,” Franks said. “Most of the industries need to be close to an interstate, so we’re very fortunate to offer a close proximity to a major interstate,” he said.
In fact, the Brilliant Park is close to two highway systems - I-22, and Highway 129 which has been upgraded to include a four-lane stretch running in front of the Industrial Park.
“Having good highways is an absolutely essential element for driving prospects into the area. That’s one thing that can’t be sugar-coated. Prospects touring an area see the roads and feel the bumps in unpaved roadways. Telling them that the roads will be ready is different from them seeing the roads already in good shape. That way you don’t have to draw them a picture, and it could mean the difference in being passed over or not,” said Franks.

In addition to the ground transport two rail systems runs in close proximity to Brilliant. Airport transportation is available in Haleyville, Hamilton, and Fayette, and for larger carrier needs the airports in both Birmingham, AL and Tupelo, MS are availably close. ‘We are centrally located to many support advantages for the Park,” said Franks.

The State of Alabama offers incentives for industrial development within the state which acts as an aide for all statewide Industrial Parks. As for local incentives Mayor Franks stated, “For Brilliant, any additional incentives would depend upon the quality of the jobs being brought into the community - and what type of company it is. For example, if they offer good jobs, good salaries, and good benefits then we would be more inclined to offer additional incentives,” he said.
Franks continued, saying, “One of the things that towns offer is free land. We would not do that unless the types of jobs met our criteria.
Incentives met on the merit of the jobs for the community,” he stressed.

With Mayor Franks and his council overseeing the project and the city of Brilliant providing the vast majority of services to the Park things look bright for prospects. “All we need now are tenants!,” Franks said.
While some industrial parks have set aside specific size requirements for occupants, the Brilliant Industrial Park will base parcels of available land on demand. “If something comes in with a quality of jobs, then we’d work with them to find suitable space,” said Franks. “But, otherwise, the size of the parcels will depend upon the demand,” he concluded.
Franks indicated that the city was primarily interested in seeking out industrial-based tenants, rather than retail or commercial tenants. He was, however, quick to note that any suitable tenant would certainly be considered.

The Brilliant Industrial park with its current eight acres, and impending fifty additional acres is providing a boost to the spirit of the community. “So many good things can come from the addition of quality jobs,” Franks said. “It will spur growth in this part of Marion County because it will enhance the economy within the entire area, not just Brilliant. It also boosts the schools and leads to more diverse class offerings and opportunities for learning. Growth in a community brings more opportunities for quality of life with better shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. So, if anyone’s out there looking for a good place to locate their business... our door is open!,” he said.

For more information on the Brilliant Industrial Park please contact Brilliant City Hall at 205.465.2281, or visit them online at www.BrilliantAL.org.