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The '''Alabama Farm Center''' is a proposed $158 million livestock and agricultural facility to be constructed in the [[Hallmark Cooperative District]] at the former 567-acre [[Hallmark Farm]] near [[I-65]] in [[Warrior]].
The '''Alabama Farm Center''', formerly called the '''Alabama Rural Economic Center''' is a proposed $158 million livestock and agricultural facility to be constructed in the [[Hallmark Cooperative District]] at the former 567-acre [[Hallmark Farm]] near [[I-65]] in [[Warrior]].


The farm property was acquired by a joint initiative of [[Jefferson County]] and the [[City of Warrior]] for $7.5 million in [[2019]]. In [[2023]] the [[Alabama Farmers Federation]]'s [[Alabama Rural Economic Center]] proposed to construct a major farm center there, to host livestock and equestrian competitions, rodeos, and concerts. Facilities would include an indoor livestock arena, a covered outdoor arena, two livestock barns, and an exhibit hall.
The [[Alabama Farmers Federation]] (ALFA) began planning for a statewide agricultural center in [[2019]]. It was originally to have been located on a 500-acre site at [[I-65]] Exit 212 in [[Clanton]], but conflicts between the [[Chilton County Commission]] and the City of Clanton, who jointly owned the site, along with changes made by the developer, delayed progress, leading the organization to look elsewhere.
 
The Hallmark Farm property was acquired by a joint initiative of [[Jefferson County]] and the [[City of Warrior]] for $7.5 million in [[2019]]. In [[2023]] the [[Alabama Farmers Federation]]'s [[Alabama Rural Economic Center]] proposed to construct a major farm center there, to host livestock and equestrian competitions, rodeos, and concerts. Facilities would include an indoor livestock arena, a covered outdoor arena, two livestock barns, and an exhibit hall. The facility, patterned after the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agriculture Center in Perry, Georgia, would be able to host state fairs with livestock shows, as well as other exhibitions and events.


Legislation to create a public '''Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation''' to construct and operate the facility was sponsored by State Senator [[Shay Shelnutt]]. Versions of the bill easily passed both chambers early in [[2024 Alabama legislative session]], but a final consolidated bill was held up until the final day of the session over a dispute regarding opposition to a referendum to legalize gambling. The bill designated the corporation as an "economic development organization" under the [[Growing Alabama Act]] ([[Act of Alabama 2021-02]]).
Legislation to create a public '''Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation''' to construct and operate the facility was sponsored by State Senator [[Shay Shelnutt]]. Versions of the bill easily passed both chambers early in [[2024 Alabama legislative session]], but a final consolidated bill was held up until the final day of the session over a dispute regarding opposition to a referendum to legalize gambling. The bill designated the corporation as an "economic development organization" under the [[Growing Alabama Act]] ([[Act of Alabama 2021-02]]).
ALFA partnered with the [[Jefferson County Commission]] to commission a master plan for site development.


==References==
==References==
* Love, Joyanna (September 15, 2021) "[https://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2021/09/14/alfa-president-presents-concerns-to-clanton-council-on-farm-center/ Alfa president presents concerns to Clanton Council on Farm Center]." ''The Clanton Advertiser''
* "[https://apnews.com/article/clanton-alabama-business-732c46d6c0f5661031040cdc9a5db794 Plans for Alabama rural center scrapped amid disagreement]." (June 12, 2022) Associated Press
* Leech, Marie (September 8, 2023) "$158 million agricultural center proposed for Jefferson County." {{BBJ}}
* Leech, Marie (September 8, 2023) "$158 million agricultural center proposed for Jefferson County." {{BBJ}}
* Sharp, John (May 8, 2024) "Alabama Farm Center legislation approved, ending two-day drama over gambling and lottery politics." {{AL}}
* Sharp, John (May 8, 2024) "Alabama Farm Center legislation approved, ending two-day drama over gambling and lottery politics." {{AL}}
* O'Leary, A. J. (May 23, 2024) "ALFA finalizing plans for major ag center in Jefferson County." {{BBJ}}


[[Category:Proposed developments]]
[[Category:Proposed developments]]
[[Category:Hallmark Cooperative District]]
[[Category:Hallmark Cooperative District]]

Latest revision as of 05:59, 24 May 2024

The Alabama Farm Center, formerly called the Alabama Rural Economic Center is a proposed $158 million livestock and agricultural facility to be constructed in the Hallmark Cooperative District at the former 567-acre Hallmark Farm near I-65 in Warrior.

The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) began planning for a statewide agricultural center in 2019. It was originally to have been located on a 500-acre site at I-65 Exit 212 in Clanton, but conflicts between the Chilton County Commission and the City of Clanton, who jointly owned the site, along with changes made by the developer, delayed progress, leading the organization to look elsewhere.

The Hallmark Farm property was acquired by a joint initiative of Jefferson County and the City of Warrior for $7.5 million in 2019. In 2023 the Alabama Farmers Federation's Alabama Rural Economic Center proposed to construct a major farm center there, to host livestock and equestrian competitions, rodeos, and concerts. Facilities would include an indoor livestock arena, a covered outdoor arena, two livestock barns, and an exhibit hall. The facility, patterned after the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agriculture Center in Perry, Georgia, would be able to host state fairs with livestock shows, as well as other exhibitions and events.

Legislation to create a public Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to construct and operate the facility was sponsored by State Senator Shay Shelnutt. Versions of the bill easily passed both chambers early in 2024 Alabama legislative session, but a final consolidated bill was held up until the final day of the session over a dispute regarding opposition to a referendum to legalize gambling. The bill designated the corporation as an "economic development organization" under the Growing Alabama Act (Act of Alabama 2021-02).

ALFA partnered with the Jefferson County Commission to commission a master plan for site development.

References

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