CULLMAN —
The business future for Cullman County grew a little brighter this week when Gov. Robert Bentley announced funding for the Interstate 65 interchange at County Road 222.
Sen. Paul Bussman and Rep. Mac Buttram hosted a press conference Monday at Cullman City Hall to announce the governor’s approval and discuss the project. During the conference, Bussman and Buttram noted the extensive cooperation among local entities in making the project possible. The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce pledged more than $1 million to cover local costs for the project. The cities of Good Hope and Cullman and the Cullman County Commission all pledged support and approached the projected as a united front. For lawmakers, the local support made winning approval for the CR 222 interchange easier.
Beyond the important recognition of local unity, the CR 222 interchange opens the door to some lucrative, realistic growth for the area. The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will announce this month its choice for locating a permanent facility. Cullman County is now in the driver’s seat with the interchange approved. Good Hope officials will also find plenty of development opportunities on land adjoining or near the interchange.
Within a few years, construction will be complete and new retail opportunities are sure to arise.
The interchange was promised to Topre several years ago when the company located here. Fulfilling that promise was important to many local officials. Topre has become one of the area’s top employers and recently announced a major expansion. The interchange will eventually relieve some traffic problems in the area, too.
The determination of local leaders to make the CR 222 interchange possible is one of the most important success stories in recent years among local government officials. Opening the door for economic development is one of the key roles government can offer to a community. In this case, the job was done well.
Opinion
EDITORIAL: A door of opportunity
- Opinion
-
-
COMMENTARY: How Nonprofits Came to Acquire Their Tax-Exempt Status
The uproar over allegations of politically motivated investigations by the Internal Revenue Service shouldn't be surprising given Americans' long love affair with nonprofits and their strong disdain of partisanship, especially within bureaucracies.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
-
EDITORIAL: The IRS' Turn to Answer Questions
Washington is now sinking its teeth into a real scandal: the Internal Revenue Service using ideological criteria to choose the targets of its attention.
-
COMMENTARY: Slate: There Is Only One Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell, the notorious Philadelphia late-term abortionist, has been convicted.
-
COMMENTARY: Liberals Fulfilling Caricature in Flextime Fight
It didn't get a lot of attention. It happened the same day as hearings on the Benghazi attacks and the announcement of a verdict in the Jodi Arias trial.
-
COMMENTARY: Slate: Let Nurse Practitioners Do Primary Care on Their Own
As of early April, you can walk into Walgreens in 18 states (plus D.C.), and along with a gallon of skim milk, a pair of photo mugs, a six-pack of toilet paper, and a flu shot, you can meet your new primary care provider, get your cholesterol checked, pick up your statin, and schedule a return visit.
-
COMMENTARY: Slate - The basketball bully
The firing Wednesday of Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice, for shoving players around, firing basketballs at them and screaming that they were "faggots" and "fairies," reflects universal condemnation.
-
COMMENTARY: Who's to blame for our politics? Don't ask
There is a classic "Doonesbury" cartoon, published soon after the Vietnam War ended, in which the antiwar activist Mark Slackmeyer is arguing with his pro-war father.
-
COMMENTARY: Healthful Logic Leads to Paid Sick Days
Ian Rizzio was a 24-year-old mechanical engineering student in Portland, Ore., managing a sandwich shop to pay his tuition. One day he woke up sick but went to work anyway, as he later testified to the Portland City Council.
-
COMMENTARY: Slate: Marry young
These days, young married couples are an anomaly.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
COMMENTARY: How Nonprofits Came to Acquire Their Tax-Exempt Status
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
