Hello, I’m Jimmie Hardee, Chilton County Commission Chairman.

Due to some recent events concerning

the status of the Alabama Farm Center Project I feel the need to inform the citizens of Chilton County of
some disappointing news that impacts the future of the ALFA Project (Alabama Rural Economic Center).
Commencing in 2015 the Chilton County Commission and the City of Clanton began a collaborative
process to explore economic development opportunities that would allow City and County leaders to
jointly promote county-wide comprehensive economic, industrial, and commercial growth that would
benefit local businesses and most importantly, our citizens. In furtherance of this effort, the City and
County cooperated in the creation, formation, and participation of the Chilton County Industrial
Development Authority (“IDA”) and authorized capital improvement cooperative districts that have been
committed to assuring those existing industries succeed, while also diligently recruiting new and
emerging businesses and industries to locate in Chilton County, Alabama. Economic development is a
team sport that involves both governmental leadership and private sector participation. It requires the
engagement of multiple stakeholders to develop a long-term strategic vision for growth and to implement
the various pieces of a successful project. In order for a project to be successfully completed, the
stakeholders must agree on a common vision for a project and combine their resources, including
financial support, to create the incentive to forge a healthy and working partnership.

Navigating the complexities of economic development projects is not an easy task for public officials and
experience has shown that often governmental bodies invest resources and efforts in multiple projects
before any one project can become a reality. It is hard and tedious work that requires diplomacy and
compromise at almost every level. Economic changes over the life of considering a project can also
impact a project. Land values and construction costs that are out of control of the public officials and can
alter the course of a project from start to finish. In the last two years we have all witnessed the
tremendous impact that the Covid pandemic and other world events have had on our own economy and
our costs of living.

On December 8, 2015, the City and the County acquired approximately 535 acres of property near
Interstate 65, Exit 212, upon which an economic development project could be located. The local
governmental leaders immediately began seeking interest in the site from possible stakeholders. On Feb
27, 2019, the Alabama Farmers Federation, in association with the Chilton County Commission and the
City of Clanton, held a press conference at Clanton City Hall to announce the selection of this site for
construction of a proposed $150 million agricultural complex to be designated The Alabama Rural
Economic Center.
Initial projections estimated that livestock shows, rodeos, dog shows, festivals and other events would
attract more than 900,000 visitors on an annual basis to the City of Clanton and Chilton County. Based on
the commitments of the Alabama Farmers Federation, our local officials worked diligently over the next
two years and invested substantial sums of money to make the project a reality.
In January, 2021 ALFA conveyed to the City and County that it was ready to move forward with
construction of the Farm Center and it requested that the City of Clanton and Chilton County transfer the
development site to the AFF or the cooperative district. The City and County agreed to the land transfer
by a Limited Warranty Deed that contained. Among other things, the following provisions:
1. AFF must commence construction of the new facility within 12 months of the date of the land
transfer;
 2. AFF would commit to construct a minimum of 350,000 square foot floor space to be completed
within a 24-months of the transfer of the land;and,
3. If these above two (2) conditions were not met, then the property would revert back to the City of
Clanton and Chilton County.
In November 2021, I became Chairman of the Chilton County Commission and I commenced
negotiations with the stakeholder representatives and their attorneys, including the Alabama Farmers
Federation, the City of Clanton, and Chilton County Commission. Our intentions were to reach agreement
on material terms that would best benefit all entities and most of all the taxpayers of Chilton County.
Since 2019, there has been countless meetings and negotiation attempts to develop a contract or working
agreement with all parties that would allow this significant project to move forward.
In May 2022, two months after the twelve-month deadline to begin construction had expired, officials of
the City of Clanton and Chilton County once again attempted to facilitate and expedite development of
the project by submitting a Letter of Intent to the Alabama Farmers Federation that included nine
previously agreed upon commitments between the three major stakeholders: the City of Clanton, the
Chilton County Commission, and the Alabama Farmers Federation. As a result of this last effort, we
achieved agreement on one of the provisions to be included in the Letter of Intent that reduced the amount
of property (acreage) allotted for the Farm Center Project from more than 500 acres to approximately 233
acres to accommodate a more flexible and responsible development of the entire Farm Center complex,
including, three exhibition buildings and associated parking. The site plan provided by the Alabama
Farmers’ Federation no longer included the 5,000-seat air-conditioned arena or parking accommodations
for motor homes and other recreational vehicles. The remainder of the property would be retained by the
City of Clanton and Chilton County Commission for other potential development.

After several attempts to speak to AFF Representative, Mr. Jimmy Parnell regarding the final execution
of the Letter of Intent, I’m disappointed to announce that the Farm Center project will not be moving
forward at this time. I have advised Mr. Parnell that the people of Chilton County need to hear the truth
and understand why the project isn’t going forward. The negotiation reached an impasse because
representatives of ALFA wanted to add a provision in the LOI that after the completion of the Farm
Center (approximately 5 years from now) that there would be additional incentives or tax revenues
committed to the Farm Center that are attributed to development outside of the 233-acre Farm Center site
to assist AFF with ongoing maintenance and operational costs of the Farm Center. Mr. Jimmy Parnell,
City of Clanton and Chilton County originally agreed that the Farm Center could keep all revenue inside
of the 233 acres for debt or maintenance and WOULD NOT DISCUSS ANY REVENUE OUTSIDE THE
FARM CENTER SITE UNTIL THE COMLPETION OF THE PROJECT.
Mayor Mims and I agreed that it would be premature to agree to any funding source 5 years from now,
that would be the responsibility of the leaders and elected officials at that time.
Lastly, I would like to clear up a misleading rumor. Chilton County passed a one cent sales tax that would
be for infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. This important tax was never created,
approved, promoted, or set aside solely for the Farm Center. We are indeed disappointed that the Farm
center isn’t going forward however, the Commission has other sites and properties we are promoting for
economic growth and opportunities in our County. In many cases multiple projects must be pursued and
all negotiations exhausted before a final project is landed and comes to fruition. Your Commission will
continue to work tirelessly to pursue these opportunities and help bring about growth and progress for the
citizens of Chilton County.