County backs Red Level
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Commissioners approved two measures Monday in an effort to bring two new businesses to Red Level.
First, Red Level Mayor Mike Purnell was granted commission support Monday in the town’s quest to construct a new access road into the yet-to-be constructed Dollar General store.
Purnell said the town is actively pursuing an estimated $158,000 in funding to build a road that would allow local residents access to the new retail store without having to travel Alabama Hwy. 55.
“We’re not requesting funding from (the county commission),” Purnell said. “Just that you lend your support to the Dollar General planning project.”
Purnell said the proposed street, which will feed off of Parker Road, will “provide income for our town and county, but most importantly will provide safety and convenience for the citizens.”
Purnell said the town council saw the commission’s support “as the fuel needed to go forward and seek funding” for the project.
Purnell said the town has no concrete leads for funding sources.
“But we’re pursuing every option we can think of,” he said. “There’s a level of excitement in the town (over the new store). Everywhere I go, people ask, ‘When is it coming? I tell them, ‘Soon.’”
In March, it was announced the town would become the newest county home for the retailer. While no official construction date has been announced, Purnell said previously he felt construction should be completed by late summer or early fall.
In May, company officials confirmed it was in negotiations to construct a new store in Gantt.
Secondly, commissioners agreed to lease the former District Four shop to H&H Power Incorporated. The company, which is owned by Red Level’s Charles Harrelson, is reported to construct and install power lines and perform hurricane recovery work. It will use the property as a tool and maintenance shop and is expected to employ up to five people with the move, Chairman Lynn Sasser said.
Under the terms of the two-year lease, the company will pay $2,500 per year and may renew the lease for an additional three years.
In other business, the commission:
• approved a lounge retail liquor license for Opp’s The Road House, located on old Perry Store Road.
• approved an election to elect a personnel review board employee representative.
• approved the 2010-2011 Covington Area Transit System’s (CATS) fiscal year budget with a $75,580 local match.