Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

31 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 ALE XANDER CI T Y, ALABAMA Driving Economic Growth: Alexander City’s Thriving Industries and Educational Collaborations The Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance is working closely with Alexander City on the development of an industrial park that will be the home of the graphite processing facility Alabama Graphite Products, the first of its kind and a significant opportunity for the region. This plant will refine the graphite, creating a product known as Spiracle Coated Purified Graphite (SPCG), using a proprietary process that promises faster and cleaner production. This can then be processed into usable products, including those for EV batteries and carbon fiber-based items. According to Baird, the initial output is estimated to fulfill only around 1% of the projected requirements resulting from the surge in EV technology and production. However, there are plans for expansion, including the construction of a second building and process refinement with the company positioning itself as a major player in the refined graphite market. Denise Walls, Lake Martin Area EDA Interim Executive Director, relays, “We are hoping that will open us up to the EV market and maybe attract some of their supply chains to that industrial park as well.” As for other possibilities, she adds, “We’ve seen some active prospects in the forestry industry lately, who are very interested in Alexander City. We are kind of in the middle of what the forestry industry calls a very active wood basket. So, we’ve also had several prospects looking at Alexander City for that.” Alexander City benefits from the presence of Central Alabama Community College, an active two-year college that provides tailored programs for companies to upskill their workers and promote employee growth. This approach not only benefits existing industries but