Amazon Breaks Ground Oct. 2, Laying Path for Western-Area Development
By Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
The official groundbreaking on the new Amazon development in Bessemer will be Oct. 2, Jefferson County commissioners said Thursday.
“Amazon is a game-changer,” Commission President Jimmie Stephens said. “This is an economic development project that will happen probably once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. It’s going to have probably 3,000 jobs and it’s going to have spinoffs that are going to come.
“It’s going to open up the western Jefferson County corridor to much more development and opportunity for our citizens,” Stephens said.
Amazon and other developments in western Jefferson County already are starting to have an effect. West Jefferson Mayor Charles Nix told the commission his town is ready to grow with a new garden home subdivision on more than 23 acres being annexed at 6700 Quinton Road.
“We don’t think there’s a better place than the town of West Jefferson to start that growth,” Nix said while asking for the property to be rezoned for the homes. Commissioners approved his request.
“We are making an effort to bring new families in and keep the attendance up in our school so it can stay open,” Nix said. “With the completion of I-22, we think it’s time for the western part of Jefferson County to grow.”
Budget With Money for Districts
Commissioners also passed the fiscal 2019 budget, a move Stephens said will improve the quality of life for citizens. The budget provides each commissioner with $250,000 in grants to go to their districts. Of that, $150,000 will be set aside for each commissioner to use on infrastructure and roads within his or her district. The remaining $100,000 would be earmarked for each to use on 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
“We have monies available for the first time in our tenure that we are able to apply directly to infrastructure, roads and transportation, and also for the school systems,” Stephens said. “It’s a great deal. It gives people a reason to live and to work in Jefferson County.”
Commissioners also went into executive session as they considered offering employment contracts to Korey Campbell to be deputy director of revenue and Derek Burr to be director of development services.
In a related matter, Zhaleh M. McCullers, director of development services, announced her retirement. Her last day to work for the county is Friday.
The commission also recognized Chris Butts for his role in helping a driver involved in a car accident. He was the first on the scene, called for help and then stepped in to assist.
“I felt like I wasn’t doing anything extra that I wouldn’t expect someone else to do for my family,” he said.
“God put you in that situation,” Commissioner Joe Knight said, “and you responded.”
Judge rules immigration officers in Minneapolis can’t detain peaceful protesters
Officers in the Minneapolis-area participating in a U.S. immigration enforcement operation can't detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren't obstructing authorities, a judge ruled Friday.
Justice Department opens investigation into Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor
Federal prosecutors are investigating Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey.
No sign of new protests in Iran as a hard-line cleric calls for executions
A Iran returns to an uneasy calm after protests led to a violent crackdown, a senior cleric is calling for the death penalty for detained demonstrators. His sermon Friday also threatened U.S. President Trump.
Gulf South food banks look back on a challenging year as another shutdown looms
Federal funding cuts and a 43-day government shutdown made 2025 a chaotic year for Gulf South food banks. For many, the challenges provide a road map for 2026.
Measles is spreading fast in S.C. Here’s what it says about vaccine exemptions
More than 550 people have contracted measles in Spartanburg County, S.C., in a fast-growing outbreak. Like a majority of U.S. counties, nonmedical exemptions to school vaccination are also rising.
It took 75 governors to elect a woman. Spanberger will soon be at Virginia’s helm
Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is breaking long-held traditions on inauguration day. She says she wants her swearing-in to showcase the state's modern vibrancy.
