News
In the News: New jobs in Franklin County… Bentley on hand for Ground Breaking
Posted on August 3, 2013
Originally published in the Quad-Cities Daily.
It seems as though Governor Robert Bentley is spending more and more time in Northwest Alabama these days. Friday, he was in Russellville to participate in ground breaking ceremonies for Innovative Hearth Products.
Headquartered in Nashville, Innovative Hearth Products designs, manufactures, and sells fireplaces and accessories. It offers indoor and outdoor fireplaces, such as gas, electric, and wood fireplaces; and fireplace inserts, free-standing stoves, gas log sets, and venting products for the specialty retail, residential new construction, and industrial markets.
Yesterday was big news for Franklin County. The company broke ground Friday for a 210,000 square foot expansion of their Russellville operations.
Governor Robert Bentley was on hand to welcome IHP officials and congratulate them on their decision to expand in Alabama. “IHP’s expansion in Russellville is a great compliment to the men and women who are working hard every day to help this company succeed,” Governor Bentley said. “Alabama has the best workforce you can find. That helps us attract more jobs, and it encourages companies to expand. More and more products are ‘Made in Alabama,’ and I appreciate the additional investment IHP is making in our state.”
Russellville Mayor David Grissom stated that the project was a testament to the teamwork and commitment of the State, County, and City to work and partner with industry in Russellville. “Russellville has a long tradition of supporting manufacturing and we were eager to help IHP create 245 new jobs in our City,” stated Mayor Grissom.
The company, which currently employs about 25 people in a 100,000 square foot facility, will bring 245 additional jobs and a $12 million capital investment to Russellville. The expansion adds 210,000 square feet to their current facility, according to the Franklin County Development Authority. Production is expected to begin in May of 20 14.
“This is a great event for IHP to be a part of as we expand our Russellville operations. Russellville, Franklin County, and the state of Alabama have been extremely welcoming and helpful to our company. Russellville is a great place for our operations. We look forward to continuing our long time partnership with the City, County, and State,” said IHP President & CEO Mark Klein.
Gov. Bentley, Mayor Grissom, Franklin County Commission Chairman Barry Moore, Alabama State Senator Roger Bedford, Alabama Representative Johnny Mack Morrow, Alabama Department of Commerce Project Manager April Gray, and Franklin County Development Authority Executive Director Mitch Mays represented the City, County, and State in Russellville.