FORT NOVOSEL
Fort Rucker was redesignated Fort Novosel in April 2023. The fort covers about 63,000 acres; much of the main post is located in Dale County, while the remaining government-owned and leased acreage is in Coffee, Geneva and Houston counties.
As the primary training location for U.S. Army Aviation, Fort Novosel is one of the largest employers in Alabama and supports more than 20,000 service members, military family members, civilians and contract employees. The installation creates an annual economic impact of around $2 billion.
The garrison command manages the daily operations of the Fort Novosel community, while the Aviation Branch Headquarters develops, coordinates and deploys aviation operations, training and doctrine. The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence also hosts various Army tenant organizations.
AEROSPACE & AVIATION
Dale County is home to 25% of South Alabama’s aerospace and aviation industry. Companies include DynaLantic, CATI, General Dynamics, Concord XXI USA, FlightSafety, Sunshine Aeronautical, Globalstar Aerospace and Commercial Jet.
M1 Support Services provides maintenance and logistics support services for aircraft assigned to the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force at Fort Novosel.
The United Aero Group (UAG) Alabama facility, in Enterprise, specializes in maintaining and repairing a wide variety of helicopters from major manufacturers like Bell, Boeing and Sikorsky.
The industry also is supported by Alabama Aviation College, part of Enterprise State Community College, that offers programs in aircraft maintenance and avionics technology and provides a steady stream of skilled workers.
AGRICULTURE & FOOD PRODUCTION
One of Coffee County’s leading industries is poultry supply. Wayne-Sanderson Farms and Pilgrim’s Pride, both among the largest poultry producers in the country, operate facilities in Enterprise and are leading employers in the area. Wayne-Sanderson Farms also operates a large poultry feed mill in Dale County.
According to the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, approximately half the peanuts in the country are grown within 100 miles of the region. The peanut processing firm Sessions Company Inc. is one of the oldest continuing businesses in Coffee County, and Olam Peanut Shelling Co., in Samson, is one of the top ten major employers in Geneva County.
Geneva County also is known for food warehousing and distribution. Ben E. Keith, one of the largest family-owned distribution companies in the country, has its regional headquarters and two warehouse facilities in Elba and New Brockton. And wholesale restaurant food distributor Sysco operates its Sysco Gulf Coast facility in Geneva.
Geneva County is one of the top cotton-producing counties in Alabama, and Sowega Cotton operates a gin and warehouse in Hartford.
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIERS AND METAL FABRICATION
Hwaseung Automotive Alabama, a top employer in Coffee County, is one of several automotive parts manufacturers in the region, along with INZI Controls of Alabama.
Truck trailer manufacturers Dorsey Trailers and Utility Trailers Inc. in Coffee County and Trailer World in Dale County are also among their respective county’s top ten manufacturers.
Aluminum product manufacturers Reliable Ruskin Metal Products, Air Performance and Outdoor Aluminum rank in the top ten of Geneva County industrial employers. ALFAB Inc. operates a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Coffee County.
The metal fabrication industry in Dale County is led by companies like Motobilt/Anvil, E&H Steel and Quality Fab Inc. MAHA USA, another top employer, specializes in manufacturing vehicle lifts.
Also in Dale County, Motobilt/Anvil manufactures off-road parts for Jeeps, and Michelin North America operates a tire factory.
HEALTH CARE
Hospitals rank among the top ten employers for each county.
Medical Center Enterprise operates a 131-bed acute care facility with 412 employees.
The Wiregrass Medical Center, in Geneva County, consists of a 67-bed acute care hospital and the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home with 96 beds and a Senior Care Unit with 16 beds. The nursing home employs 375 people.
Dale Medical Center has 343 employees at its 89-bed acute care facility.
In September 2024, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs officially opened the Command Sgt. Bennie G. Adkins Veterans Home in Enterprise. The 182,000-square-foot skilled nursing facility can house 174 residents and features private rooms and amenities that include a sports bar, library, chapel and a fleet of buses.
Business Briefs:
OCTOBER 2024: Enterprise receives a $5.7 million grant through Alabama’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program that will support purchasing nearly 300 acres to expand and develop industry-ready sites at the Enterprise Commerce Park.
SEPTEMBER 2024: The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs opens the Command Sgt. Bennie G. Adkins Veterans Home in Enterprise, with space for 174 residents.
SEPTEMBER 2024: Dale County Schools’ Bridge Academy breaks ground on a nearly $1 million expansion project. The school serves nearly 200 students and focuses on career tech programs.
SEPTEMBER 2024: Ozark City Schools and Troy University sign an agreement that introduces an Accelerated Dual Enrollment Program for high school students who are interested in a career in education.
AUGUST 2024: The City of Enterprise and Enterprise State Community College break ground on a $10 million workforce development center that will house ESCC’s mechatronics, automotive and welding programs. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.
AUGUST 2024: The Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Alabama and Ozark City Schools announce plans to turn the school system’s former central office building into a teen center that will focus on workforce development and will include a podcast studio, music studio and driving simulator. It is expected to open this summer.
JULY 2024: Dale County receives a $180,000 Community Development Block Grant to support construction of a 21,200-square-foot building near Midland City for Averitt Express, a freight transportation company. The new hub is expected to bring 20 new jobs to the area and will include a service center and warehouse.
JUNE 2024: Spectrum, a rural internet provider, announces the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 2,400 homes and small businesses in Geneva County and surrounding areas.
JUNE 2024: All In Credit Union breaks ground on a 138,000-square-foot expansion of its operations center in Daleville. The expansion will more than triple the current facility’s size.
MAY 2024: The State of Alabama awards the Geneva County Commission $1 million for a new multipurpose agricultural complex.
APRIL 2024: Enterprise breaks ground on an $8 million Legacy Travel Center, a 24-hour facility for truck drivers. The travel center is expected to bring 30 jobs to the community.
MARCH 2024: Ag-tech startup company SetaTech, a graduate of HudsonAlpha’s Gener8tor program, announces it will operate a manufacturing site in Ozark. The company turns nutrients from natural hair and chicken feathers into eco-friendly products that can be used in agriculture, as deer deterrents and for cleaning up oil spills.
MARCH 2024: The Holman House, in Ozark, opens the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Museum, a joint effort between the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College and the city of Ozark.
FEBRUARY 2024: Pennsylvania-based Ecore International, which converts reclaimed rubber, opens a new facility in Ozark.
OCTOBER 2023: Kansas-based Sunbelt Solomon Services, one of the world’s largest providers of commercial and industrial electrical distribution equipment, opens a $5 million service center in Elba.
This article appears in the March 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
