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April 14, 2008

Cullman tops state industry announcements

By Brittany Woodby

BWOODBY@CULLMANTIMES.COM

Cullman ranked among the top counties in the state for new and expanding industry announcements in 2007.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for a community of our size,” Cullman Economic Development Agency Directory Peggy Smith said.

For the fourth year in a row, Cullman ranked first in the state for industry announcements. The county was also ranked No. 1 by the Alabama Development Office for companies announcing expansions. Fifty-seven companies, including Axsys Technologies, Topre America, SUMMA Technology and NAFCO, will be expanding facilities in Cullman.

“Our local companies are very strong and are expanding at an amazing rate in Cullman,” Smith said. “They are the best recruiting tool that we have in the community.”

Expanding industries added 1,081 jobs for county residents and invested just under $87 million into the local economy. The county ranked eighth in the state in investment capital and third in jobs created by expansion. The Alabama Development Office recorded Cullman’s industries as making up almost 8 percent of the 14,760 jobs in the state created by existing industry.

“While total investment and the number of jobs is very important, having a stable and productive existing base is very critical,” Smith said. “Sometimes, even we forget that local companies have a choice in where they expand. We want them to always know that we (CEDA) will work hard to insure their continued success. Profit is not a dirty word, it’s a necessary word if you plan to stay in business and be successful. The payroll from our 140 industries have helped this community to be the quality county that it is today.”

In addition to the record number of expansions, one industry announced its intent to build in Cullman County this year. Ornamentals Manufacturing LLC is scheduled to build a facility in Cullman to produce rainwater systems and gutters. Ornamentals Manufacturing could hire as many as 20 employees in its initial phase and should invest $3.35 million in its facility.

“While many communities are experiencing closure and reductions in workforce, we have just experienced one of our best years ever,” Smith said. “We are grateful that our citizens have quality job opportunities here at home.”

Smith said she also attributes Cullman’s industrial success to the hard work of Cullman County residents.

“This accomplishment would not have been possible without the quality workers that are found in Cullman,” she said. “The work ethic and the skills of our citizens have gained Cullman a spectacular reputation among industry leaders both within and outside of Alabama.”

Cullman’s industrial success mirrors that experienced throughout the state. Last year was record-breaking in Alabama for new and expanding industry announcements, netting more than $6.8 billion in capital investments from industrial projects.

“These investments and the jobs they bring are making Alabama’s future b righter for all our citizens,” Gov. Bob Riley said in the Alabama Development Office’s March newsletter. “Our strategy to assist existing industries and recruit new companies is working, and we will continue to aggressively pursue new jobs and more investment for the people of Alabama.”

Statistics from the Automotive News Data Center list Alabama as fifth in the nation for vehicle production in 2007.

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