Proposed Foreign-Trade Zone; Anniston, AL (Birmingham Customs Port of Entry); Application and Public Hearing

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[Docket 32-94]

Proposed Foreign-Trade Zone; Anniston, AL (Birmingham Customs

Port of Entry); Application and Public Hearing

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board

(the Board) by the Anniston-Calhoun County Airport Commission (an

Alabama public corporation), requesting authority to establish a

general-purpose foreign-trade zone in Anniston, Alabama, adjacent to

the Birmingham Customs port of entry. The application was submitted

pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Zones Act, as amended

(19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR part

400). It was formally filed on October 18, 1994. The applicant is

authorized to make the proposal under Act No. 77-498, Section 33-1-30

of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended.

The proposed zone would be the second general-purpose zone in the

Birmingham Customs port of entry area. The existing zone, FTZ 98,

Birmingham, was authorized in 1984 (Grantee: City of Birmingham,

Alabama, Board Order 247, 49 F.R. 19367, 5/7/84).

The proposed foreign-trade zone site covers the Anniston

Metropolitan Airport complex (563 acres), which is 90 miles west of

Atlanta and 60 miles east of Birmingham. The airport complex includes

air cargo facilities and an industrial park. It is owned by the City of

Anniston and operated by the Airport Commission.

The application contains evidence of the need for zone services in

the Anniston area. Several firms have indicated an interest in using

zone procedures for warehousing/distribution of such items as

automotive equipment, electrical and electronic supplies, food and

related products, and machinery. Specific manufacturing approvals are

not being sought at this time. Requests would be made to the Board on a

case-by-case basis.

In accordance with the Board's regulations (as revised, 56 FR

50790-50808, 10-8-91), a member of the FTZ Staff has been designated

examiner to investigate the application and report to the Board.

As part of the investigation, the Commerce examiner will hold a

public hearing on November 15, 1994, 2:00 p.m., at the Offices of

Anniston Executive Aviation, Anniston Metropolitan Airport, 2500

Talladega Highway (Highway 21), Oxford, Alabama 36203.

Public comment on the application is invited from interested

parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the

Board's Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing period

for their receipt is December 30, 1994. Rebuttal comments in response

to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted

during the subsequent 15-day period to January 17, 1995.

A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be

available during this time for public inspection at the following

locations:

Office of the Port Director, U.S. Customs Service, 5900 Airport

Highway, Birmingham, Alabama 35212

Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room

3716, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20230

Dated: October 21, 1994.

John J. Da Ponte, Jr.,

Executive Secretary.

[FR Doc. 94-26890 Filed 10-28-94; 8:45 am]

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