MONTGOMERY— A $225,000 grant awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey will facilitate the expansion of two Thomasville businesses and help create a total of 50 new jobs.
The Community Development Block Grant will be used to provide infrastructure necessary for Clark Gas and South Alabama Machine to relocate to the South Industrial Park where both companies plan expansions of their businesses. Clark Gas is a propane distributor serving much of the southeast United States, while South Alabama Machine provides machining, fabrication and welding services.
“The city of Thomasville continues to be fertile ground for local industries and businesses to expand and provide services in Alabama’s Black Belt region,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend the local leaders who worked to make these expansions possible and provide new jobs in southwest Alabama.”
CDBG funds will be used to provide water and sewer services to the new locations of Clark Gas and South Alabama Machine.
Clark Gas has purchased an existing 50,000-square-foot speculative building in the industrial park and will invest $10 million in new equipment and renovation costs. The company plans to hire 40 people. The expansion will more than double the current daily production and distribution at Clark Gas’s existing facility.
South Alabama Machine, which was founded in Thomasville, plans a $2 million new facility and will hire 10 additional workers.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The move and expansion by these two businesses in Alabama speaks volumes about the economic climate in the city of Thomasville,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I join Gov. Ivey in commending local leaders for their efforts in helping facilitate the move and growth of these two companies.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Sheldon Day that the grant had been approved. Thomasville has pledged $102,025 in local funds for the project.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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