Video: Lamar County Businesses Expanding

[syndicaster id=’5961528′]

Lamar County, Ala.. (WCBI) — A $30 million expansion is already in the works at Steel Dust Recycling.

By adding a new production facility, receiving building, and on-site maintenance shop, the plant increase its workforce from 100 to around 140 people.

S.D.R. Plant Manager Art Rowland says the company mulled the possibility of creating a new plant in Arkansas, it chose to add on to one in Millport.

“…we already got the people here, they know how to run the process and they’d be starting all over again so it makes more sense to bring it here”, said Rowland.

52 out of the 100 current S.D.R.employees live in Lamar County, and the expansion will present more opportunities for the area.

C3 Economic Development CEO David Thornell says recent expansions are greatly noticed in an area like Lamar County.

“There’s growth here that means a lot and would not even be recognized maybe in a larger community…”, said Thornell, “…but it’s a huge advantage for us to see these companies that appreciate the workforce, appreciate the welcome that they’ve received, and the environment that they enjoy.”

Thornell also says keeping businesses local, mean a lot to the people that show up to work for these companies every day.

“You get time then to spend with your family, to leave home a little later, to get home much earlier so it means a lot just in terms of being able to find that stability in your community and the job opportunities there to support you and your family.”

S.D.R. expects the expansion to be complete by May or June of next year.

The other Lamar County expansion is Bunkhouse Conversions in Beaverton, which expects to hire 30 new employees, increasing its workforce 300%.