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Shelby praises region's development efforts
"I see what you're doing here, trying to help yourselves" Shelby said. Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day, Grove Hill Mayor Lamar Hudson and Jackson Mayor Richard Long all attended the county visit with Shelby held at Gaston's Grill in Thomasville Saturday afternoon. All three men praised Shelby's support of the county and region. On Thomasville's hospital, Day said he and hospital officials were headed to Washington this week to make a formal proposal to HUD as part of a yearlong funding application process. Shelby said he would support the hospital in whatever form he could. "You know I'm on the banking committee and we have a little sway with HUD," Shelby said. Shelby said the idea of a new hospital in Thomasville was exciting and that it could turn into a regional hospital. On other issues, Shelby said he hoped Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continued their tight race for the Democratic presidential nomination right up through the primary. He told the crowd he is also working with Sen. Christopher Dodd on modernizing the FHA, "but the federal government can't do everything," he said regarding the current housing slump and troubles many citizens are experiencing in trying to keep their homes as adjustable mortgage rates climb. Shelby also touched on the recent announcements of the ThyssenKrupp plant and the Air Force tanker contract being awarded to EADS with assembly taking place in Mobile. "The Germans know how to build good products and pay good wages," he said on the TK project. On the EADS project, currently being challenged by Boeing, Shelby said, "I believe we'll be confirmed and we'll have the moral high ground when we do." Shelby said he expected the General Accounting Office, which is reviewing the tanker contract, would announce its results in June.
"It's the best plane for our war fighters," he said. "There will be spin-off businesses from these plants, there's going to be a very positive effect in south Alabama."
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