The Marengo County Commission on Tuesday granted tax exemption for 10 years to one of the two new industries moving into the Demopolis Airport Industrial Park.

The industrial park will welcome the new tenants with a $1.553-million road makeover project. The money will come in the form of a grant from the Alabama Industrial Road and Bridge Corp. (AIRBC), which issues $11 million annually.

In a show of strong support for the partnership’s efforts to find common ground and work together to entice industrial growth in Marengo County, AIRBC granted the full requested amount last Thursday in Montgomery.

“It will be a big boost for this area,” said commissioner Dr. Ken Tucker. “Everyone stepped up and helped make it happen.”

These latest actions in revitalizing the industrial park are being pushed by a partnership of Demopolis and Marengo County economic and civic leaders, led by Marengo County Economic Develop-ment Agency chair Debra M. Fox.

Fox told AIRBC that several government and economic entities came to together to work on the project.

“We have a full partnership on this,” she said. “The Demopolis industrial board is putting money in, Marengo County is putting in-kind work in, the City of Demopolis is putting money in, the water and sewer board is working on infrastructure there.”

Other actions taken at the Marengo County Commission meeting include:

Chief Deputy Tommy Reese of the Marengo County Sheriff’s Department presented a proposal for a resolution to allow sheriff’s deputies in good standing to keep their firearm and badge upon retiring.

“I think it is a great thing to do for an officer who has contributed a number of years with the sheriff’s office,” said Reese. “It is something they can take home and be proud of.”

Reese also asked for a second resolution asking the commissioners to approve increasing the gun permits through the sheriff’s office from $10 to $20.

“I am almost certain the fee has not changed in about 18 years,” said Reese. “We are in the process of going to a new system which will issue cards similar to drivers license, and include a photo ID.

Reese said the extra $10 per permit would help offset the cost of the new system.

Commissioner Fred Armistead made the motion for the commissions to pass a resolution approving both requests. It passed unanimously.