Gudger announces $347K in economic development funding for Jack’s project in Fairview

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, this week announced the Town of  Fairview is receiving $347,160 in economic development funding for a new Jack’s restaurant project. The restaurant is expected to open in January 2026.

Gudger’s office said the funding, which comes from a combination of state, regional and local sources, will provide sewer infrastructure that is necessary for the restaurant to open, and other businesses and residences along the route will benefit as well.

“Securing this funding from so many sources is like a jigsaw puzzle — you have to figure out which piece fits where and put them all together,” Gudger said. “The new Jack’s restaurant will provide the residents of Fairview with more dining options and convenience, jobs and opportunity will be created in the area, and local revenues will go up from the taxes it collects, so the community is a winner on multiple levels.”

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, known as ADECA, are contributing $144,500 in Appalachian Regional Council funding and a matching $144,500 in community development block grant dollars for a total of $289,000.
The balance is being provided by regional and local grants, according to Gudger.

“Sen. Gudger’s support was instrumental in making this project a reality,” Fairview Mayor Keith Henry said. “He was there to help and guide us each time we ran into a stumbling block, and Sen. Gudger helped build the state and local team that brought this funding home to Fairview.”

Gudger said groups that played major and important roles in the application process include the Town of Fairview, the Cullman County Commission, the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority, the Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council, the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments and the Cullman County school system.