By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Etowah County Commissioner Jeff Overstreet announced he will seek a fourth term in District 4 for the office in 2018.
Overstreet said that being a local business owner has served him well during his time on the Commission.
“My years in business have afforded me the opportunity to learn the basics about budgeting, spending, and prioritizing needs as they arise,” Overstreet said. “The County Commission is very budget driven. Most of what we do has spending tax dollars at the heart of it, and it’s our duty to distribute those dollars wisely.”
Jeff Overstreet currently serves as the chairman for the County Commission. He is an alumnus of the County Commission training program administered by Auburn University. He has served on various boards and committees at the state level.
“My desire is to see this County continue to grow, and bring good paying jobs here so our children can work in their communities and raise a family close to their loved ones,” Overstreet said. “Our mega site is moving toward “Advantage-site” designation. District 4 received the largest allocation of funding in Etowah County through the state ATRIP program. We have built bridges, and paved roads (78 perfect) in the district during my tenure. I have returned almost $400,000 to the schools, fire departments, and community events in the last 11 years. We have maintained a workable budget and have had clean audits for the last 11 years. I have brought just over $700,000 in grants to District 4, and will continue to seek out all possibilities to bring tax dollars back to Etowah County.”
In December, Etowah County had just 4.0 percent unemployment, down from 6.7 percent a year earlier. In addition to those robust numbers, the county has acquired a 900 acre tract located adjacent to I-59 with access to U.S. Highway 11 and Norfolk Southern Railway. The site is centrally located between the Gadsden Airport and the Birmingham International Airport and is currently the largest tract of property available for industrial development in Northeast Alabama.
The site is one of only seven industrial development sites in Alabama with railroad access. All of the property is county owned and has access to: Alabama Power transmission lines; 6” High Pressure Gas lines and fiber optics with high speed internet. Additionally, Etowah County has completed evaluations on the site for: environmental; endangered species; and cultural and wetlands. The site has detailed water and sewer studies, and an access road is being constructed on the property; and property is being cleared for future development.
The major party primaries are on June 5, 2018.
