Leeds Council Approves Aldi on Asheville Highway 2026

Key Points

• Leeds City Council has approved an agreement to incentivise the development of a new Aldi supermarket at 1770 Asheville Highway in Leeds, Alabama.
• The property is owned by Alabama limited liability companies Akin Holdings and Jones Properties, as stated in the council resolution.
• A public hearing took place during the Leeds City Council meeting on Monday, where real estate representatives presented renditions of the proposed store.
• The estimated completion date for the store is March 31, 2027, with developers expected to begin setting up shop within the next six weeks, according to Leeds Mayor Eddie Moore.
• The city will provide a rebate of up to $1,834,000, funded from one half of the municipal sales tax generated by the business over a period not exceeding ten years.
• Mayor Eddie Moore described the arrangement as splitting the 4% sales tax revenue 50-50, calling it a “very good thing” and “a good deal for them and us.”
• The rebate can be paid off early if performance exceeds expectations, without needing to wait the full ten years.
• The project is projected to create 50 to 60 jobs in the area.
• Mayor Moore highlighted the deal’s potential to “add money to our coffers” and described it as “one of the easiest business deals I’ve ever been associated with,” noting the developers are “very easy to work with.”
• In other council business, a resolution was approved to contract with Witt O’Brien’s Ambipar Response for grant writing services to fund projects such as a civic centre, storm shelters, and park bathrooms.
• Mayor Moore stated that this contract “will enhance our ability to reach our goal through various grants.”
• Leeds City Council meetings occur on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at City Hall, 1400 9th Street Northeast, with agenda packets available on the City of Leeds website.​

Leeds, Ala. (The Leeds Times) February 25, 2026 – The Leeds City Council has approved a development agreement to bring a new Aldi supermarket to the city, marking a significant boost for local retail and employment opportunities on Asheville Highway.

What Did the Council Approve?

The approval centres on a resolution incentivising the construction of an Aldi store at 1770 Asheville Highway, a site owned by Alabama limited liability companies Akin Holdings and Jones Properties. As reported by staff writers of the Trussville Tribune, the agreement includes a rebate from the city capped at no more than $1,834,000. This public funding will be sourced exclusively from half of the municipal sales tax generated by the business, limited to a maximum period of ten years, according to the resolution detailed in the coverage.​

Leeds Mayor Eddie Moore provided key insights during the meeting, explaining the financial structure. “They get 50% of our 4%,” Moore said, as quoted by the Trussville Tribune.

“We’re splitting the revenue on tax, which is a very good thing. As businesses go in municipalities, as far as I’ve seen that’s a good deal for them and us, which is the essence of a deal.”​

This rebate mechanism ensures the city’s investment is directly tied to the store’s performance, with flexibility built in for early repayment. In regard to the ten-year rebate period, Mayor Moore added,

“If things go better than expected we can pay it off at any moment. We don’t have to wait ten years,”

according to the Trussville Tribune report.​

When Is the Public Hearing and Timeline?

A public hearing was held as part of the Leeds City Council meeting on Monday, where real estate representatives spoke in support of the project and displayed renditions of the proposed Aldi store. The Trussville Tribune coverage confirms that this session allowed community input ahead of the final approval.​

Mayor Eddie Moore outlined an ambitious timeline, estimating that developers will begin setting up shop within the next six weeks. The projected completion date for the store stands at March 31, 2027, providing a clear path forward for this retail addition to Leeds.​

Leeds City Council meetings, including this one, are routinely scheduled for the second and fourth Mondays of every month at City Hall, located at 1400 9th Street Northeast. Agenda packets and further details are accessible online via the City of Leeds website, as noted in the Trussville Tribune article.​

What Economic Benefits Are Expected?

The new Aldi location is anticipated to generate substantial economic advantages for Leeds. Mayor Eddie Moore projected that it will create between 50 and 60 jobs in the area, offering employment opportunities to local residents. “It’s going to add money to our coffers,” Moore said on the potential impact, as reported by the Trussville Tribune.

“This is one of the easiest business deals I’ve ever been associated with. The people are very easy to work with. So, it will enhance us all away around.”​

This development aligns with broader municipal strategies to attract businesses that contribute to revenue streams without undue financial risk to taxpayers. The tax rebate model, directly linked to sales performance, exemplifies a balanced approach praised by the mayor for its mutual benefits.

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Central figures include Leeds Mayor Eddie Moore, who has been vocal in supporting the deal and articulating its merits. Real estate representatives from Akin Holdings and Jones Properties, the property owners, presented during the public hearing, though specific names were not detailed in the Trussville Tribune report.​

The council itself played a pivotal role in the approval process, demonstrating collective endorsement of the project. No dissenting voices or opposition statements were mentioned in the coverage from the Trussville Tribune, indicating broad agreement during the meeting.​

What Else Happened at the Council Meeting?

Beyond the Aldi agreement, the council addressed additional business. A resolution was passed to contract with Witt O’Brien’s Ambipar Response for grant writing services. Mayor Eddie Moore explained the rationale, stating,

“This will enhance our ability to reach our goal through various grants,”

as quoted by the Trussville Tribune. He identified potential funded projects including a civic centre, storm shelters, and bathrooms at parks, among others.​

This move underscores the council’s proactive stance on infrastructure improvements, leveraging external expertise to secure necessary funding.

Why Is This Deal Considered Favourable?

Mayor Moore repeatedly emphasised the deal’s simplicity and advantages. Describing it as “one of the easiest business deals I’ve ever been associated with,” he highlighted the cooperative nature of the developers. The revenue-sharing model mitigates risk for the city, as rebates are performance-based and repayable early if sales surpass projections.​

Such incentives are common in municipal economic development, fostering growth while protecting public interests. The projected job creation and sales tax contributions position the Aldi store as a net positive for Leeds’ economy.

How Does This Fit into Leeds’ Development Plans?

The Aldi project complements ongoing efforts to bolster commercial spaces along Asheville Highway. By attracting a established retailer like Aldi, known for affordable groceries, the city anticipates increased foot traffic and ancillary economic activity. No additional sources beyond the Trussville Tribune were identified covering this specific council decision as of February 25, 2026, confirming it as the primary report.​

The grant writing contract further signals long-term planning for public facilities, aligning retail expansion with community infrastructure needs.

What Is the Process for Future Council Meetings?

Residents can engage directly through the regular meeting schedule: second and fourth Mondays monthly at City Hall. Online access to agendas ensures transparency, allowing public preparation and participation. The Trussville Tribune provided this logistical detail, reinforcing civic accessibility.​

Broader Context and Community Impact

While the Trussville Tribune offers the sole detailed coverage located, the story resonates with patterns of small-city economic strategies across Alabama. Aldi’s expansion into areas like Leeds typically brings competitive pricing and convenience, potentially shifting local shopping habits. The 50-60 jobs represent meaningful employment, particularly in a community reliant on such developments for growth.

Mayor Moore’s optimism—”it will enhance us all away around”—captures a sentiment of collective benefit, from tax revenues to everyday conveniences. The absence of reported controversy during the hearing suggests strong local support.