The Rebirth of Tuskegee: Plans for redevelopment bring opportunities

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Tuskegee, AL- The City of Tuskegee has a bright future ahead of them. With plans of landing the T-100 (Jet Training Aircraft for the F-35) along with economic development, Tuskegee sees new opportunities for growth and sustainability on the horizon.

Tuskegee Mayor Tony Haygood says that the city is really looking forward to the possibilities of landing the contract to manufacture the T-100. The $300 million plant is to be built on Moton Field and will bring 750 high paying jobs to the area. Haygood believes that this will create vast opportunities for economic development in the city. He encourages business to start preparing to qualify for potential contracts. “This will be a huge development for Tuskegee to create numerous opportunities for existing businesses and also new businesses in our community.”

In addition to the T-100, Haygood has been working with the Tuskegee- Macon County Community Development Corporation (TuskMac CDC) on the I-85 Corridor Project. This highly anticipated plan includes developing I-85 Exit 38 by adding a hotel, convenience store, pizza restaurant, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Huddle House, and a new Greyhound Bus Station. Haygood says that this will boost activity and bring more jobs.

Another initiative of TuskMac CDC is the revitalization of the Greenwood Community, an historic Black community developed by Booker T. Washington. The community housed much of the faculty and staff at formerly known Tuskegee Institute. Washington had encouraged the creation of Black businesses in the area to service the local Black residences. “Greenwood was a very vibrant community” Haygood said. “We are trying to bring that energy back.”

There are efforts to help promote tourism in the city. Some of the main attractions are The Commodore Museum, The Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center, The Legacy Museum, The George Washington Carver Museum, The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, and Booker T. Washington’s Home. The city also offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing.

All rights reserved, Gumptown Magazine. Copyright 2018. 

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