Dothan's Westgate Super Site Strikes Platinum!

Huge news for the Alabama Wiregrass! Dothan's massive 365-acre Westgate Super Site just snagged Platinum CSX Select Site status – the highest industrial development readiness rating CSX offers! This puts Westgate in an elite group, one of only five in Alabama and 33 across the entire CSX network.

What's a "Select Site" Anyway?

Think of Select Sites as super-prepared properties. They've already cleared major hurdles like environmental reviews, zoning, and utility hookups. This means manufacturers can go from choosing a location to breaking ground much faster. Since 2012, these sites have attracted some serious investments – around $16.2 billion and almost 13,000 new jobs!

Big Deal for Dothan

According to CSX's Christina Bottomley, this is a "tremendous milestone" for Dothan and Alabama. She emphasized that the region is becoming a major manufacturing hub. The Platinum status means Westgate is primed to attract high-value investments, strengthen supply chains, create great jobs, and boost long-term economic growth.

"A Gem" of a Site

Jonathan Gemmen from Austin Consulting, which partners with CSX to vet properties, calls Westgate a "gem." He highlights the rarity of finding such a large, attractive site so close to the railroad and within city limits.

Years in the Making

This achievement is the result of years of hard work by local and state leaders, transforming farmland into one of Alabama's premier industrial locations.

Backed by Investment

The site got a big boost in 2024 thanks to a $3.94 million grant and local funding from the City of Dothan and Houston County Commission.

Ready for Business

Westgate is designed for energy- and infrastructure-intensive projects. It's bordered by a CSX mainline and has top-notch utilities from Southeast Gas, Alabama Power, Dothan Utilities, and Brightspeed Internet.

Power, Water, and Connectivity

Dothan brags about having some of the best electric support in the Southeast, surplus water and sewer capacity, and redundant fiber connectivity. This makes Westgate perfect for advanced manufacturing, data centers, and other projects needing tons of power, water, and bandwidth, plus easy rail access.

Open for Opportunity

Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba expressed sincere appreciation to CSX for recognizing the potential of the site.

Wiregrass is Ready!

Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe believes that Westgate's Platinum designation sends a clear message that the Wiregrass is ready for big-league projects. He foresees a generational impact from new opportunities, quality jobs, and lasting economic growth.

Incentives, Incentives, Incentives!

Companies choosing Westgate can also take advantage of Alabama's statewide incentives, including cash rebates, tax abatements, and local incentives from Dothan and Houston County.