Prep work continues for Royal Technologies

By Trent Moore

A construction plan for a new industry that could create up to 300 jobs in Cullman is set to go before the city planning commission June 1 for approval.

“Once it gets our approval, they are good to build,” city building inspector Rick Fulmer said.

Royal Technologies — a Michigan-based company that specializes in injection molding, urethane foam, light assembly components and automobile trim — has already announced plans to open a plant in Cullman. Construction could begin in the next few months.

Once Royal Technologies eventually opens its Cullman location, approximately 200-300 new jobs should be created in the area, with up to 400 jobs possible in future phases of expansion.

The new, approximately 125,000-square-foot facility will be located on a 26.6-acre plot beside the Alabama Cullman Yutaka Corporation (ACYT), near the corner of Highway 157 and Highway 278, in Industrial Park 5.

The city of Cullman has already begun $350,000 in sewer and water infrastructure work for the eventual site of the plant. Additional piping and sewer work, totaling $12,359, was also approved at a recent city council meeting.

“We’re all working together to get things prepared,” Cullman city council president Garlan Gudger, Jr. said.

Cullman Economic Development Assistant Director Dale Greer said the new plant should be a catalyst for the local economy.

“We’re glad to see things continuing to move forward and we’re just anxious to get site work started,” Greer said. “They’re a quality company and when things get started it will create jobs for a lot of people associated with construction, plus the jobs the business will provide.”

Greer said officials with Royal Technologies are working to finalize details, while prep work could begin this summer.

“They’re still working internally to get things together on the design,” Greer said. “This should let them move forward with site grading in early summer.”

The company’s five-year investment for the project — including land, construction and equipment — is expected to total as much as $30 million.

When positions are eventually posted for the Cullman plant, they should be listed on the company’s official Web site (www.royal-plastics.com).

When reached Tuesday, Royal Technologies Director of Strategic Development Mike Furst declined to comment for this story.

The Cullman city council also:

‰ Approved $14,000 in emergency repairs for a Cullman Fire Rescue fire engine. “We had some engine problems,” Fire Chief Mike Hackney said. “It’s important we have that truck in service, so we wanted to have that done immediately.”

‰ Honored St. Paul’s School with a resolution for winning first place in a recent McWane Science Center competition.

‰ Approved a request from Tammy Hollis to host a Relay For Life fundraiser poker run on June 20.

‰ Approved a noise permit request from Leah Costello, pending police approval, for 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. on May 15, as well as 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. on May 16 for a Christian concert at the fairgrounds.

‰ Approved a request from Kayla Lindley to close Clark Street NE on Saturday, June 6 from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. for her wedding at the rotunda room.

‰ Approved a purchase request from the Waste Water Department to purchase a $3,400 computer.

‰ Approved a request from the Chamber of Commerce to place a $2,776 timer on the elevator near the pedestrian walkway.

‰ Approved a $15,000 appropriation for the Good Samaritan Health Clinic. This is in addition to the city’s regular $13,132 annual appropriation.

‰ Moved the June 8 meeting to June 1. The move is required because a majority of the council members will be attending a conference at the regularly scheduled meeting time.

‰ Forwarded an annexation request from Danny McAfee to annex lots 20 and 21 of Misty Acres subdivision to the planning commission.

‰ Approved the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program resolution.

‰ Approved a FEMA grant application for “Assistance to firefighters,” which would be used to purchase hazardous material detection equipment for Cullman Fire Rescue Department. The five percent local match grant could total as much as $35,000.

‰ Approved a grant application from the police department to apply for a $13,978 grant to purchase equipment.

‰ Awarded liability insurance bids to Smith-Gray Insurance.

‰ Approved phase III of the streetscaping project with CDG.



‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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