EARTH Work

Crews Begin Transformation of Former Avondale Mills Site

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

In Sylacauga, Ala., property resembling a war zone is being transformed into a space that will merge education and workforce development. Crews at the former Avondale Mills site are sifting through piles of rubble, preparing the site for construction of the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH).

“EARTH is about providing an effective and efficient workforce development system, cradle to grave, that’s responsive to the current needs of individuals and businesses,” said Margaret Morton, executive director of the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE). “It’s an economic development solution for rural Alabama and rural America, focusing on the individual, the family and the region, allowing organizations, businesses and the community to serve, train and collaborate.” see EARTH page 2

The EARTH campus will focus on incubation and preparing East Alabama’s workforce for on-demand jobs in K-12 education, agriculture, hospitality training, IT and healthcare. It will house SAFE staff offices and include an interpretive center, public and private meeting spaces, classrooms for adults and children, incubation offices for local businesses, co-working space, flex spaces and cooking/catering kitchens.