Business View Magazine | August 2019

137 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019 we’re close to the four-lane highway. We don’t have direct water access but there’s a river (the Alabama River) four miles from here. It is the perfect location to situate a business.” And so, with the two large cities of Montgomery and Birmingham nearby; hundreds of underutilized Airport acres and thousands more that can potentially be bought and repurposed; newly resurfaced runway & taxi-ways; hangars and other properties available; abatements available on sales, use, manufacturing and equipment, and ad valorem taxes; a capital credit program that provides qualified businesses with income tax credits; the availability of Alabama Industrial Development Training through Wallace Community College; and an underemployed labor force of 90,000 within 40 miles of Selma with skills in manufacturing, aviation, construction, communications, and retail, Craig Field Airport is truly a diamond in the rough. “We are a diamond, but there is no question that we are in the rough,” Corrigan admits. “This is an airfield that was built during World War II. I’ve got buildings that were built in the ‘40s; buildings boarded up; buildings knocked down to the foundations. I have been here since last November and I have had to set the vision – and that vision is, let’s remove the foundations and tear down the buildings. Let’s work on the curb appeal, pressure wash the concrete, and make it all look brand new. I’ve just been awarded a grant to remove the foundations; phase two and three is to remove the buildings that are in the way – turn it into grass, and make it more appealing to customers.” “This field would be perfect for a training base,” adds Vardaman. “It was designed for that and we have all the hangars designed for training planes. This airfield is the best untapped resource in the southeast. And we are move-in ready.” CRA IG F I ELD A I RPORT & INDUSTR I AL COMPLEX