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| Thursday, September 2, 2010 |
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Ground broken for AgriCenter
Published September 7, 2009
Rep. Robert Aderholt said Thursday that studies show the Northeast Alabama AgriCenter could show an economic benefit of $8 million in its first year alone.
Aderholt made the comment at a groundbreaking ceremony for the AgriCenter in Rainsville, attended by about 150 people, including many local, state and federal officials.
The 43-acre AgriCenter project includes a 71,300 square-foot climate controlled arena, capable of seating 3,800 people with a 200-stall stable and a warm-up arena, as well as an RV park, picnic areas and a 2-acre lake.
The project will provide venues for agriculture, entertainment and community events. It is just north of the Field of Dreams and located close to the downtown area of the city..
According to Carey Baker, vice chairman of the AgriCenter board, construction on the AgriCenter arena is expected to get under way later in September.
This, the second phase of the project, will cost about $3.9 million. The entire project is being funded through loansprovided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Sen. Lowell Barron gave Baker credit for “pushing” the project, and Baker – in turn – credited the AgriCenter board as a whole. He also said the AgriCenter could not have become a reality without support from Aderholt, Barron and a host of local officials.
“One thing we need to keep in mind is that this is a northeast Alabama project,” he said. “This is not a Rainsville project. It’s located in Rainsville, but this is going to benefit people from all over the area.”
Baker said Consolidated Construction Co., of Huntsville, submitted the low bid to build the arena, which will cost about $2.6 million not including options, such as heating and air conditioning. Those options cost extra.
Baker said, in a best-case scenario, the AgriCenter would be completed in September 2010. It will be in operation soon after and is already being marketed for future events.
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