CCEDC’s Clifton: Prospects looking at several areas

Things could be looking up for Covington County, in terms of economic development.

Rick Clifton, the president of the Covington County Economic Development Commission told the Opp City Council on Monday evening that there are eight active potential projects that could spell jobs for Covington County.

“We have eight active projects in our office right now, from all over the county. The majority of those are looking at Opp,” Clifton said.

“These are eight legitimate projects with a real good chance with some landing in the county and some in Opp.”

Clifton said some of the potential projects are considering both Opp and Andalusia locations, and some are considering River Falls locations.

Clifton explained to the council that the likelihood of getting all eight projects would be slim.

“Will we get all eight? No. The best way to describe it is a whole lot of filtering to get down to Covington County,” he said.

“The eight right now that are looking very seriously, some are local, some are expansions, some are re-openings.”

Clifton said the CCEDC is also working hard locating a business in the former location of Sitel as well as businesses at the airport.

“If all (of the projects) came to fruition it’d be over 100 jobs and over $200 million in capital expansion,” he said.

“Economic development is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. So we will continue working. Working hard is all you can do. Hopefully we will be able to make some announcements.”