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Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to help the city of Greenville embrace a step into the future. The grant will fund critical water and sewer infrastructure to support a new development along Interstate 65 focused on electric vehicle travel.

The project, spearheaded by Atlanta-based company Switchyard Management LLC, will provide shopping, dining and entertainment options built around EV charging stations. “The Switchyard” will be accessible for all travelers and will employ 12 people.

“This development will provide a place for electric vehicle owners to enjoy while they charge their vehicles, and it will enable the city of Greenville and surrounding areas to highlight their unique offerings and foster local commerce,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this grant.”

As the first Switchyard location in Alabama, the Greenville facility will be strategically positioned near Interstate 65 to attract beach-bound travelers and those en route to other destinations. The 3,000-square-foot development will include retail and dining options featuring local favorites including Priester’s Pecans, Conecuh Sausage, Bates House of Turkey and other restaurant and shopping venues.

Owners say it will offer family- and pet-friendly facilities along with green spaces and a playground. Additionally, the facility will feature hyper-charged and fast charge EV bays as well as pull-though bays to accommodate electric vehicles with trailers. 

The site on Willow Lane is adjacent to other shopping and dining facilities and hotels.

The CDBG funds will extend water and sewer services to the two-acre site that will be leased to Switchyard by the Greenville Industrial Development Board.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“This development fits right in line with efforts to increase the availability of EV chargers along major travel corridors for those who choose to use this method of travel,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I commend the city of Greenville and all those who envisioned this project as a benefit to the city.”

Ivey notified Mayor Dexter McLendon that the grant had been approved. The city is providing $452,300 in local funds for the project.

ADECA administers a wide range of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.