SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Local leaders provided updates on the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH) on Tuesday morning, June 16, as Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed visited the developing campus and toured construction progress at the former Avondale Mills site.
The morning began at the B.B. Comer High School library, where attendees heard presentations from State Rep. Ben Robbins, SAFE CEO and EARTH Foundation President Margaret Morton, and Talladega County Schools Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Lacey before touring the main EARTH building.
EARTH is a multi-disciplinary workforce development initiative focused on increasing economic and social growth across East Alabama through education, training, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The project looks to create a globally competitive region supported by healthy communities and a high quality of life.
Located on the historic Avondale Mills property, the campus is transforming a site that served local families for more than 100 years before the mill closed in 2006. Much of the facility was destroyed in 2011 after a lightning strike caused a fire.
The central EARTH hub is being constructed on the footprint of the former Eva Jane building. Designed by Difference Architecture and built by JohnsonKreis Construction, the facility is scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2027.
SAFE, which has served the community for 28 years, serves as the cornerstone organization of the EARTH ecosystem.
“Education is one of the strongest pillars of the EARTH ecosystem. Education means everything,” Morton said.
EARTH plans to support workforce development and training in areas including alternative energy, transportation, cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and tourism.
Robbins described the project as a comprehensive workforce development effort.
“EARTH is breaking down barriers, making sure we have education opportunities that are needed right now,” Robbins said.
He also described EARTH as “cradle to grave,” noting its goal of serving residents at every stage of life.
A major focus of the campus will be entrepreneurship. EARTH will provide incubation services, mentoring, prototyping facilities, and commercialization support for new businesses.
“People within the East Alabama region want to create businesses,” Robbins said. “Dr. Lacey said there was a report that said 25 to 30 percent of all Talladega County students want to be entrepreneurs. They don’t know how to do that. We will provide that training.”
The facility’s left wing will house SAFE operations, classrooms, incubation offices, childcare areas, and other innovation-focused spaces. The right side will include culinary arts facilities with two kitchens, future development space, and an area where tiny homes and modular housing will be constructed.
“Through partnerships with Auburn University, Kennesaw State University, and local schools, we will be building tiny houses at EARTH,” Morton said. “More than that, we will be building modular homes.”
Lacey highlighted plans for a regional career technical education center on the campus and said several school systems will partner on a grant application to help fund the project.
“We are all excited about what EARTH means for K-12 education,” Lacey said.
Morton summarized the vision for the project as “Rooted in rural Alabama, designed in East Alabama, built for America.”
