A Year of Business in Lee, Russell and Macon Counties

Top business developments in these three counties in the last 12 months

Tyson Foods and Auburn University’s National Poultry Technology Center opened a stand-alone, solar-powered poultry house in Cullman in June, 2019.

October 2019: ID Plastics LP announced plans to invest $9.8 million to open its first U.S. operation in Auburn. 

October 2019: Winkelmann Flowform Technology opened its new metal forming facility. WFT is a high precision flow forming engineering and manufacturing company serving the aerospace and defense industries, as well as the commercial vehicle and oil and gas industries. 

October 2019: Shinhwa Group, an automotive parts manufacturer, announces plans to establish a $42 million manufacturing operation in Auburn, with 95 jobs.

July 2019: 2A S.p.A., based in Italy, announces plans to invest $15 million to expand its foundry in Auburn, where it serves as a Tier 1 supplier to major producers of automobiles and heavy trucks.

July 2019: Construction begins on a 19-acre retail development on US-280 in Phenix City that includes Aldi and Culver’s as the first two outparcels. This development is the second retail development by Halpern Enterprises in Phenix City within two years.

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June 2019: Auburn University’s National Poultry Technology Center opens a stand-alone, solar-powered poultry house in Cullman with Tyson Foods.

June 2019: The Game, a headwear manufacturer in the Phenix Industrial Park, announces a $2 million investment with 75 additional jobs. It was the firm’s second investment announcement in 2019.

June 2019: West Fraser Inc. in Opelika announces it plans to build a new planer mill for about $43 million.

June 2019: Hanwha Advanced Materials America, an automotive supplier, announces a $32 million expansion with 128 new jobs.

June 2019: South Korea-based Daechang Seat Co. Ltd. announces plans for a $9 million seat frame plant in Phenix City. 

May 2019: Officials break ground on the Tuskegee Travel Center off Interstate 85 on Exit 38. In addition to a gas station and convenience store, the site will have Huddle House, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Krispy Krunchy Chicken and a Greyhound bus terminal. 

April 2019: Seohan Auto USA & Seohan-NTN USA announce they are expanding their Auburn operations with a $28 million investment.

March 2019: Yongsan Automotive USA, which makes interior car parts for Hyundai, announces plans to locate a $5.5 million manufacturing facility in Opelika with about 150 jobs after three years.

March 2019: Three Auburn-based companies, Borbet Alabama, Rausch & Pausch and Strähle+Hess, were recognized by AlabamaGermany Partnership for expansions and investments in their Auburn operations. 

March 2019: GE Aviation announces a $50 million expansion of its Auburn additive manufacturing operation for the aerospace industry.

March 2019: Pharmavite, which makes vitamins, minerals and other supplements, plans an $8.9 million expansion in Opelika.

March 2019: Mando America, an automotive supplier in Opelika, announces plans for a $9.6 million capital investment. 

February 2019: Auburn University breaks ground on the $94.5 million Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center that will include a teaching boutique hotel and restaurant. It is expected to open in 2021. 

February 2019: Nathan Carr and Sonic Air Flow LLC, of Phenix City, take first place and the grand prize of $100,000 in the Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition.

January 2019: WestRock announced plans to add $61 million in new machinery at its Cottonton plant in Russell County.

January 2019: Altera Development, based in Dallas, begins construction on a 22-acre retail development in Phenix City, which is slated to open in March 2020, anchored by Renfroe’s Market.

January 2019: Lifetime Natural Organic Farms opens in Macon County.

December 2018: Logan Machine Works, of Phenix City, announces plans to expand with an investment of $575,000.

December 2018: Atlanta-based developer Halpern Enterprises announces completion of a retail center, Phenix City Station, with Moe’s Southwest Grill, Aspen Dental and T-Mobile as tenants.

November 2018: Vectorply Corp. announces plans for a $15.2 million expansion of its Phenix City headquarters. Vectorply makes high-performance composite reinforcement material for products ranging from snowboards and boat hulls to aerospace and defense applications.

November 2018: Johns Manville announces a $24 million upgrade at its Phenix City insulation and commercial roofing facility.

October 2018: Auburn University launches a new educational complex in Gulf Shores, including a veterinary referral center, aviation instruction, cooperative extension support and more.

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