MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $180,000 grant to bring a new industry and jobs to Dale County.
The Community Development Block Grant will be used to provide infrastructure for Averitt Express to locate in the county and create 20 jobs. Averitt Express, a freight transportation company, plans to construct a 21,200-square-foot building on Dale County Road 10 (Mance Newton Road) just off U.S. Highway 231 and south of Midland City.
“I am pleased to award this grant to the Dale County Commission to help prepare access to the 14-acre site where Averitt Express will be located and afford the company ample room to grow and hire more employees in the future,” Gov. Ivey said. “Averitt Express has a strong background with numerous fleet safety awards and will be a good addition to Dale County.”
Company leaders say Averitt Express has outgrown its current facility in nearby Houston County. As a result, it is moving approximately 1.5 miles north along the highway to the new location which will include a service center and warehouse. The company plans a total investment of $15 million at the new location. Averitt Express currently employs 37 people.
CDBG funds will be used to resurface and make other improvements to Dale County Road 10 to improve access to Averitt Express. Dale County has pledged $36,000 in local funds for the project.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“ADECA joins with Gov. Ivey in commending local leaders who worked with Averitt Express to find a suitable location that will enable their business to grow, creating new job opportunities for area residents,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Gov. Ivey notified Steve McKinnon, chairman of the Dale County Commission, that the grant had been approved.
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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