With growth accelerating across North Alabama, leaders in Jackson County are taking proactive steps to ensure the community is ready for what’s ahead.
How it started
What began as a conversation about preparation has now turned into a major regional effort. For Jackson County, the real work started with a federal grant worth $150,000 that TARCOG helped secure from the federal Economic Development Administration and Department of Commerce. The county contributed another $37,000 in local matching funds, allowing the county to move forward with a comprehensive Economic Resiliency Plan.
“At the time, we recognized that while North Alabama was experiencing rapid growth in manufacturing, retail and other sectors, Jackson County did not yet have a plan in place,” Jackson County Commission Chair Bill Nance said. “If you’re not prepared, growth can quickly strain infrastructure and services.”
Through a competitive selection process, the county engaged a consulting firm and formed a steering committee representing a broad cross-section of the community. Over the course of a year, the group worked to evaluate current conditions and plan for the next 15 to 20 years.
The effort included interviews with local officials, educators and first responders, along with public meetings and focus groups covering key sectors such as industry, tourism, infrastructure and education. Participants helped identify strengths and weaknesses, while also offering input on future needs.
Resiliency Plan Approved
Nance said the final plan, approved in November 2024, outlines priorities aimed at strengthening the county’s ability to support long-term growth. These include expanding utility capacity, increasing workforce participation, improving mobile phone coverage, accelerating housing development and generating additional revenue to support public infrastructure and services.
Unlike many planning efforts, the work in Jackson County did not stop when the report was completed.
Ongoing efforts
Nance said a core group of steering committee members continue meeting regularly, taking ownership of key action items and working collaboratively to address identified challenges.
One major focus has been utility infrastructure—particularly natural gas availability. Limited capacity is already a barrier to growth, prompting regional partners to come together on a solution.
Expanding the reach
Nance said after two failed attempts, Jackson county officials reached out to utilities providers in Huntsville and Athens about creating a cooperative gas district. Now utility providers from across North Alabama are working to develop a proposed 137-mile natural gas pipeline that would extend from Mississippi across the region, creating a reliable, long-term supply to support future demand.
“This is the kind of project that requires regional cooperation,” Nance said. “Some areas may not feel the impact yet, but with growth coming, they will.”
Additional efforts are underway to explore expanded economic opportunities, including renewed interest in developing a river port to support agriculture and industry. Nance said the commission has also reactivated a previously established port authority board to help move that concept forward.
Other plan highlights
The plan also highlights the importance of addressing housing availability, supporting tourism-related infrastructure and evaluating large-scale projects that could further strengthen the local economy.
Guiding this work is a diverse steering committee that includes representatives from local government, education, healthcare, business and industry. Together, they are helping ensure the plan remains a living document—one that continues to evolve as progress is made.
Through continued collaboration among local, regional, state and federal partners, Jackson County is positioning itself to manage growth effectively while enhancing quality of life for its residents.
TARCOG is proud to support these efforts and remains committed to assisting communities across the region with planning and implementation strategies promoting long-term resilience and economic vitality.
The Jackson County Economic Resiliency Plan was approved in late 2024. Guiding the continued work of this plan is a diverse steering committee that includes representatives from local government, education, healthcare, business and industry. Together, they are helping ensure the plan remains a living document—one that continues to evolve as progress is made.