Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded a $350,000 grant to construct an access road required for a new Tuscaloosa County industry that will employ 200 people when completed in June 2015. The company, BOLTA US Inc., projects its workforce will grow to 350 within three years.
The new plant will produce chrome-plated plastic components for vehicles built by Mercedes Benz in nearby Vance, Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tenn. and other potential clients in North America.
Bentley attended a ground breaking in August for the 180,000-square-foot plant, which is being built in the Tuscaloosa County Airport Industrial Park.
“Alabama continues to be a powerful magnet for the automotive industry, and much of the attraction can be attributed to the ability of Alabama’s workforce,” Bentley said. “I am honored that BOLTA expanded to Alabama and provided skilled automotive jobs for men and women seeking employment. This grant will benefit Tuscaloosa County and Bolta as they work together to bring new jobs to the state.”
BOLTA, headquartered in Germany, employs more than 1,800 people worldwide. The business is part of the Purico Group based in the United Kingdom.
Bentley notified W. Hardy McCollum, chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Commission, that the grant had been approved. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from Community Development Block Grant funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In addition to providing resources for industrial development, ADECA administers programs that support law enforcement, recreation, energy, water resources, job training and career development.
-30-
Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers