New plant expected to bring 35 jobs to Cowarts

A new metal fabrication company is expected to locate in the Wiregrass in the coming months, though officials are providing minimal information about this pending project which is expected to bring 35 jobs.

On Monday, Houston County Commissioners were asked to do site work for the project, which is to be located at the intersection of South Broad Street and U.S. 84 East in Cowarts, according to drawings submitted by Northstar Engineering.

“We are asking the county to do the rough grading for the project,” Houston County Industrial Development Authority Chairman David Parsons said. “Site grading plans are complete. We estimate the work will take less than two weeks and will be needed around the end of September, the beginning of October.”

The work was not approved, however, because County Engineer Mark Pool said the plans, as presented, are unclear. He received them just before the meeting, and said the elevations and work to be performed was not specified.

Parsons said later he did not push for approval, since there is enough time to come back to the county. “We will clarify all that for you,” he told commission members.

Commission Chairman Mark Culver and Commissioner Frances Cook did not attend the meeting.

The project, dubbed Project JJ, has been unofficially identified as a metal fabrication and components manufacturing plant.

Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker said a formal announcement will come soon.

“Project JJ is a $2.3 million investment that will create 35 jobs and have a $1,000,000 payroll within three years,” Parker said.

The project includes a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which can be expanded to at least double that size. The county will do a rough grading of the site.

“We still have to finalize some other items with the Town of Cowarts, so we will not formally announce the project until that is completed,” Parker said.

Last week the industrial board approved tax abatements to help facilitate the project.

“It will be a good project for the county,” Parsons said. “Good for everybody.”

The county is expected to consider the item again on Sept. 14.