U.S. Navy Announces New Facility in Shoals Area

A major economic development is coming to Northwest Alabama, according to media sources, with the U.S. Navy planning a 2.2 million-square-foot facility at the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. Senator Tommy Tuberville said the project is expected to create thousands of manufacturing jobs in the state and described it as “one of a kind,” noting it would bring thousands of manufacturer jobs back to Alabama and the United States.

The Barton Railcar Plant in Barton, Alabama, will serve as the future home of the facility. The project represents an estimated $2 billion capital investment and is projected to create approximately 1,000 good-paying jobs for the region.

Congressman Robert Aderholt, who has advocated for the project, said the location is ideal, citing the riverfront access, available energy from TVA, ample land for expansion, and the local workforce. He noted that while the company that will operate the facility has not been officially announced, Rocket Shoals LLC acquired the building in 2024 to create an aerospace corridor, indicating potential future collaboration.

Aderholt said the development is expected to have a transformative effect on the Shoals region, creating thousands of jobs and benefiting multiple counties. Additional details are expected in the weeks leading up to the ribbon-cutting.