Nestled in the heart of South Alabama, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw and Lowndes counties form a region defined by industrial strength, community ambition and a steady eye to the future. Located close to major automotive manufacturers, key transportation routes and the Gulf, these four counties occupy a strategic position that continues to attract investment and opportunity.
Butler County anchors the region with a robust manufacturing base rooted in the automotive supply chain. The automotive sector is the county’s largest employer, with approximately 1,100 workers. Automotive suppliers that locate in Butler County tend to find a ready workforce to help them meet their goals: For example, Hwashin America, a Tier 1 supplier, already has expanded since arriving in Butler County and recently announced another $60 million expansion scheduled to be ready in 2027. Beyond auto suppliers, the county’s landscape is shaped by timber. Timberland accounts for more than 80% of Butler County’s land use, and wood products are another major industry for the county.
Covington County stands out as a regional hub for both commerce and aviation. After a national location search, Conecuh Sausage recently opened a new, $58 million production facility in Andalusia, creating 110 jobs. The county’s aerospace sector adds another dimension to and providing training for future aircraft mechanics through a partnership with Enterprise State Community College.
Crenshaw County continues to work on the largest project in its history, a $15 million sports complex in Luverne, featuring eight baseball and softball fields, two soccer fields, a track and field area, an RV park and a lake, and is becoming a regional destination.
Lowndes County is leveraging its geography and infrastructure for long-term growth. Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced that Fort Deposit Industrial Park was awarded a Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grant through the Alabama Department of Commerce and the State Industrial Development Authority. The grant funds, along with local matching funds, totaling $127,500, will be used for a wide-ranging site assessment of the park to help recruit new business and industry.
Binding all four counties together is a shared investment in workforce and education. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College serves the region with campuses in Andalusia, Greenville, Luverne and Opp, offering career technical programs in nursing, automotive, construction, forestry and more, along with expanded apprenticeship programs in welding, mechatronics and diesel technology.
Nancy Mann Jackson is a Madison-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
For more on Butler, Covington, Crenshaw and Lowndes counties, see the links below:
This section appears in the April 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
