Community Renewal Good Stories - Mobile

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Alabama Newspaper Takes Maximum Commercial Revitalization Deduction

Mobile, Alabama, RC

In June 2002 the Mobile Register completed construction of a new $75 million facility in the northeast end of downtown Mobile. This accomplishment provides a new workspace for hundreds of newspaper employees, and also stands as a testament to how government and business can work together to reclaim struggling downtown areas.

The Mobile Register is one of many companies to receive Federal tax breaks for locating or expanding operations in the Mobile RC. After identifying a site within the RC boundaries, the Mobile Register applied for and received a $10 million CRD allocation from the Mobile RC. The CRD allows the newspaper to deduct $10 million in construction costs evenly over 10 years instead of the usual 39 years, which will save the newspaper thousands of dollars in taxes.

"These economic incentives are a big boost to our efforts to support Alabama businesses and create jobs in areas of poverty and high unemployment," said Don Siegelman, then-governor of Alabama, in a statement released by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The new Mobile Register building and the renovated GM&O railroad terminal anchor more than 14 acres at the northeast end of Water Street, a formerly depressed part of downtown Mobile. The area, once an eyesore, now features lush green landscaping and beautiful buildings that offer passing motorists and local residents a glimpse of Mobile's past and future.

The new facility is a big hit with both employees and local residents. In fact, at the facility's grand opening on July 4th, 2002, which also marked the city of Mobile's tricentennial, more than 8,000 people toured the new Mobile Register buildings.

For more information on the programs of the Mobile RC, please contact Diane Burnett of the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission at (251) 433-6541.