Ashville city officials are questioning why they are not receiving their share of economic development projects from the St. Clair County Economic Development Council.

“We are paying them $10,000 per year,” said Councilman Mike Sheffield. “I would like to invite them to come and talk to us about their plans to help us recruit some industries next year. I don’t want to hear about Leeds. I don’t want to hear about Moody. I don’t want to hear about Pell City. I want to know what their plans are to help us at Ashville. And what do we need to do? What are we getting for $10,000?”

“Nothing,” said Councilman Willie B. Turner.

At the last council meeting, Sheffield, who chairs the finance committee, said in looking through the bills to be paid, the city just paid the $2,500 quarterly dues to the EDC.

Mayor Robert McKay said EDC officials will address the council — they are just waiting for a call.

“We will make that call and hopefully, they will come to our next meeting or as soon as possible,” McKay said. “We need to know what they can do for us because right now, we do not have a lot going for us. We are struggling quite obviously.”

Sheffield said he knows the EDC is busy and a lot is happening in the county.

“It’s just not happening here in Ashville,” Sheffield said.

Don Smith, executive director for the EDC, said he and his staff have plans to make visits to all the city councils within the next quarter.

“Many times, we are working on projects that are highly confidential,” Smith said. “And sometimes, the local officials won’t know about it until the company is ready to release that information. Sometimes, we do not even know who the company is.”

Smith said they try and market the areas or the properties that have been identified by the community for certain activities.

“During this process, problems may arise with the property such as the lack of infrastructure, the cost of the property or the basic demographics of the community size,” Smith said. “At that point, we recommend the things that can be fixed and work with local officials and minimize any barriers for development.”

Smith added that whenever a company locates in St. Clair County, in their mind, they are going to employ citizens of St. Clair County.

“They may live in Steele, Ashville, Ragland and so on,” Smith said. “But on the Interstate 59 corridor, the EDC is focusing its efforts on companies that require rail. Because that is an asset that corridor has that other areas of St. Clair County does not have.”

Smith said he and his staff looks forward to visiting all city councils throughout St. Clair County in the next two to three months in order to reintroduce their plans.