SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub is nearing completion, and local residents will have an opportunity to see the progress firsthand during guided tours offered most Fridays through early January.
The EARTH Foundation is inviting business and industry leaders, educators, community partners, and residents to tour the facility, which is under construction at the former Avondale Mills site in Sylacauga. Tours are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Fridays through Jan. 8, 2027. No tours will be held during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s holiday weekends or on Dec. 18.
The facility is scheduled to host a soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027.
“These tours will be every Friday at 9:00 a.m.,” said Isaac Jennings, Organizational Manager of the EARTH Foundation.
Construction on the project began in early 2024, Jennings said. He added that seeing the facility take shape has been especially meaningful because of the opportunities it is expected to bring to the region.
“This has been pretty exciting to see this project come together,” Jennings said. “Being from this community, [it’s about] the economic development and workforce development that will be happening here in this area with the culmination of the project.”
Jennings said the EARTH Foundation has also made a commitment to keeping project spending in the local community.
“We have had a commitment to make sure that we’re spending local dollars,” he said. “About 40 or 50 employees on the project, working every day, they’re local, and to be able to say that we’re building local and building the region, it’s been phenomenal.”
Each guided tour will be limited to 50 guests. Reservations are available online while spaces remain at earthruralhub.com/upcoming-site-tours.
Visitors should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their scheduled tour. The following guidelines are required for all guests:
- Enter through the gate on W 10th St. and park in the lot near the JohnsonKreis Construction office.
- Enter and exit the building through the south entrance only. All other entrances and exits are within active construction areas and are not approved for visitor use.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. Heels, sandals, and open-toed shoes are prohibited.
- Wear a hard hat at all times within the project limits. Hard hats will be provided.
- Remain with the designated tour group throughout the visit.
Because construction is ongoing, visitors must follow all site safety requirements. Arriving early will help ensure tours begin on schedule.
