Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded a $600,000 grant to help develop the site for a manufacturing plant in north Alabama that will employ at least 200 people.
The Community Development Block Grant awarded to the Limestone County Commission will fund infrastructure improvements for Carpenter Technology which is building a $500 million, 400,000-square-foot plant that will produce specialty alloys used in the aerospace and energy industries. The plant will be built on a 232-acre site across the Tennessee River from Decatur.
“Resources, incentives and location cause industries to consider Alabama, but it is our workforce that sells them on locating here,” Bentley said. “I am convinced that Alabama has the best workforce in the world and industries looking to locate here soon learn about our impressive skills and unmatched work ethic.”
CDBG funding will be used to supply sewer services for the facility which is being constructed near the intersection of Thomas Hammons Road and U.S. Highway 31. The Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority is providing the sewer service and has pledged $140,000 in supplemental funding for the project.
Carpenter Technology was founded in 1889 and is based in Wyomissing, Penn. The company maintains manufacturing and distribution operations throughout North America and Asia and employs 4,500 people.
Bentley notified Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee that the grant had been approved.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates CDBG funds to Alabama. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs reviews grant applications and determines which projects to recommend to the governor for approval.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers