MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $643,840 grant to enhance economic development in Bibb County and immediately create at least 265 new jobs, with more to be added later.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to supply infrastructure needed for the expansion of Mercedes Benz International at Scott G. Davis Industrial Park in the town of Woodstock.
Mercedes is building a battery plant at the park to gear up for production of an electric vehicle. The new facility is projected to employ as many as 600 people within five years after completion.
“Alabama’s automobile manufacturing industry is traveling at an astonishing speed, and that is certainly visible in west Alabama,” Ivey said. “I commend Mercedes Benz for their confidence in Alabama to build this expansion, and I must praise Alabama’s workforce whose skill, hard work and dedication have been a big part of this success.”
The Bibb County Commission will use ARC funds to construct a 300,000-gallon water tank to accommodate the needs of the 1-million-square-foot plant. Mercedes is investing $300 million in the plant and machinery as part of the overall $1 billion expansion of its Alabama manufacturing complex.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant.
“ADECA shares Gov. Ivey’s vision of helping Alabama grow and prosper and providing jobs for Alabamians,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission which has seen Alabama benefit from many projects.”
Gov. Ivey previously announced a $1.8 million ARC grant for infrastructure relating to the Mercedes Benz project. The governor also awarded $785,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for water and sewer services in Bibb County to facilitate the expansion.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Bibb County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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Contact: Jim Plott, Mike Presley