Alabama 13, June 28, 2023

Industrial Expansion Projects Coming to Florence, Auburn

As part of ongoing modernization efforts, Southwire, one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers, announced plans June 9 for an expansion of its manufacturing campus in Florence, Ala., that is expected to increase production capacity by 30 percent and create approximately 120 jobs.

“At Southwire, we’re making a multi-year investment of more than a billion dollars to integrate newer and better equipment, systems and technology into our operations to increase efficiency, enhance competitiveness and ensure the operational capability and capacity to support our strategic growth,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “The Florence expansion is a testament to those efforts.”

Made in Alabama, the online news site of the Alabama Department of Commerce, reported that state officials have heartily welcomed the growth project from Southwire, which also has a facility in Heflin. The company’s statewide workforce currently exceeds 625.

see EXPANSION page 2

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

A $34 million effort that will enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion along busy U.S.-82 from Highway 69 to Rice Mine Road remains under construction in west-central Alabama.

As the first major Rebuild Alabama Act project in Tuscaloosa County, the 2.77-mi. undertaking will add a travel lane in each direction and provide better access management to businesses.

“As Tuscaloosa continues to grow, it’s important that our infrastructure can meet the additional needs,” said John McWilliams, Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) spokesman. “This Rebuild Alabama Act project will improve travel times and safety, while also providing a shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians. The public has been very receptive of this project, and they understand the importance of improving this corridor.”

More than 50,000 trips are made per day on the heavily

traveled highway. During the project planning, it was determined to better accommodate the many motorists in the McFarland Boulevard area, roadway closures would not be allowed from Friday evening through Sunday morning when the University of Alabama has a home football game.

According to Terence Williamson, ALDOT’s west central region construction engineer, the biggest construction challenge for workers is performing various tasks while dealing with the volume of traffic within the work zone.

“With this being in a high-traffic area, there are a lot of businesses, so lane closures only take place at night or on the weekend,” he said. “The utility work can be challenging, too.”

The project also calls for drainage work. Crews must tackle culvert extensions, pipes, inlets and regrading ditches. Williamson said the most significant work that remains is finishing the work to the outside.

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Proceeds from the state gas tax increase will fund the project.

Southwire photo

The Southwire Florence Plant was acquired from Essex in 2006 to support the company’s production of commercial and residential building wire. The 300,000 sq. ft. campus has grown over time, and this expansion will include approximately 340,000 sq. ft. of added space for new equipment.

Auburn Starts Work On $77M College of Education Building

Construction recently began on Auburn University’s new College of Education building at the intersection of West Samford Avenue and Duncan Drive, the former site of the Hill Residence Halls, in the east-central Alabama town of Auburn.

The university announced May 15 that the $77 million facility is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2025.

Last November, the school’s Board of Trustees approved construction of the 167,000-sq.-ft., three-story structure to include modern and collaborative classrooms, instructional laboratories, modern technology and administrative spaces for faculty and staff.

“The new facility will enable the college to consolidate its departments into one building that is located at a prominent campus location,” explained Simon Yendle, assistant vice president of planning, design and construction in Auburn’s Facilities Management Department. “It will feature large, bright classrooms and lecture halls like those in the Mell Classroom Building and the Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex.”

He added that the college’s new building has been planned with modern teaching methods and practices in mind.

“Classroom spaces are designed to give students different learning experiences based on areas of interest,” Yendle said. “It will also offer innovative office concepts where faculty spaces are not just offices, [but] also include additional space for teaching to take place outside of the classroom.”

Creating a student-centered College of Education facility has been at the forefront of planning and will continue to guide decisions as the college prepares to move to its new space, according to the Auburn Newsroom.

“Our new building will be a hub of activity to bring students together and give them easy access to their classrooms and laboratories,” noted Jeffrey T. Fairbrother, dean of Auburn’s College of Education and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor.

“It will also provide a one-stop location for support services such as advising and those provided by our Learning Resources Center,” he continued. “Ultimately, our new facility will promote student collaboration in study and meeting spaces and, importantly, facilitate interaction with our faculty and staff. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to better serve our students.”

The new building’s plans call for it to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, and designed to earn LEED silver certification, a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-saving green buildings.

“We are building smart buildings that are also compliant with the Alabama Commercial Energy Code,” Yendle added. “For example, the building will utilize daylight harvesting, an energy management technique that reduces overhead lighting use by using the ambient — natural and artificial light — present in the space.” 

Southwire, Coca-Cola, Donghee Plan Major Plant Expansions

“Southwire’s investment project will create good-paying jobs in Florence while also enhancing the facility’s competitiveness and solidifying its future in the community,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the state Department of Commerce. “Southwire is a world-class company and a great corporate partner at the state and local level. We are thrilled to see them grow and thrive in the Shoals area.”

Growth Opportunities

The Southwire Florence Plant was acquired from Essex in 2006 to support the company’s production of commercial and residential building wire. The 300,000-sq.-ft. campus has grown over time, and the latest expansion will include about 340,000 sq. ft. more capacity for new equipment.

“Southwire is committed to remain generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond and be an employer of choice, and we look forward to the growth opportunities that this expansion will bring to our company,” explained Norman Adkins, Southwire’s COO and president of wire and cable for the manufacturer.

In addition to more operating space and new equipment, the expansion will include renovating the existing building to enhance the team-member experience, including locker rooms, training space and an outdoor

picnic and activity area.

“This investment will allow us to better service our customers safely and efficiently, and the Florence team and I are very excited about the expansion and what it means for the future,” said Brian Davis, the plant’s manager.

The investments and upgrades will effectively streamline Southwire’s commercial and residential building wire efforts, complement existing products and emphasize the facility’s culture and labor pool, according to Made in Alabama.

Southwire’s Local Impact

For more than 70 years, Carrollton, Ga.based Southwire has been delivering power responsibly to customers across the globe. A leader in the multibillion-dollar North American market, the company is enhancing its proven legacy, trusted reputation and longstanding, disciplined financial management by building upon its strengths to reach sustainable, strategic growth.

“Tennessee Valley Authority [TVA] and City of Florence Utilities congratulates Southwire on its decision to expand operations and create new job opportunities in Florence,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of economic development.

“It’s always an exciting day when we can celebrate a company’s commitment to continued growth in the region. We are proud to

partner with Shoals Economic Development Authority [EDA] to support companies like Southwire and look forward to its continued business success in the region.”

Construction at the Florence campus is expected to begin this quarter and should be finished in 2025.

Auburn to See Coca-Cola, Donghee Alabama Expansions

Further south, two new industrial developments will bring a combined capital investment of nearly $100 million to the Alabama plains, the Auburn City Council announced June 13 at its regular meeting.

The town council approved expansion projects at both the Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED at Auburn Technology Park, and for Donghee Alabama, an auto supplier, at Auburn Technology Park West.

Construction crews this year will build the new Coca-Cola distribution center at 511 West Veterans Blvd., close to where the new Mill Creek Data Center will be located when it comes to the area, according to the Opelika-Auburn News.

Coca-Cola’s new 24,000-sq.-ft. facility is expected to open in 2025, according to Cassandra Mickens, its corporate communications manager. It will bring in $15 million in capital investment and 75 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $60,500.

“This facility will consist of our sales

operations, our distribution warehouse, our administration, and our fleet department with all of our trucks,” she told the local news source.

The warehouse will distribute Coca-Cola branded beverages made at bottling plants throughout Alabama, and service the entire eastern part of the state.

Mickens explained that a new Auburn facility for the soft-drink maker came about after a tornado passed through the area in March, ripping the roof off the West Point Coca-Cola distribution center. Company employees from there will work at a temporary location in Auburn until the new facility is complete.

Coca-Cola plans to donate the damaged facility to the city of West Point.

“After that storm, the roof collapsed and the building was deemed inoperable,” Mickens added. “Part of this move is [CocaCola] ensuring the safety and well-being of our associates.”

In the case of Donghee Alabama, which makes electric vehicle battery cases, it will expand its two sites on Innovation Drive and Riley Street in Auburn with a capital investment of over $82 million and the creation of 100 new jobs.

The Opelika-Auburn New said there is no word yet on when that construction effort will begin. 

EXPANSION from page 1

Auburn University rendering

The school’s Board of Trustees approved construction of the 167,000-sq.-ft., three-story structure to include modern and collaborative classrooms, instructional laboratories, modern technology and administrative spaces for faculty and staff.

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ALDOT’s First Major Rebuild Alabama Project Under Way

“It’s a big part of the project, and we are working on that,” he said.

Materials needed to complete the job include fill material, soil, different aggregates and asphalt. Also required are traffic control items, raised pavement markers, traffic striping and related items.

“The most time-consuming part of the job is the grading,” said Williamson. “There are a lot of different components to that. To get the new travel lane added, we must first get utilities relocated and build a good foundation.”

Regarding machinery on site, said Williamson, “There isn’t a lot of heavy equipment on the project. We have dump trucks and excavators, but we don’t have a lot of room. You’d probably find more heavy equipment on capacity projects in rural areas where you aren’t as confined.”

He added, “There haven’t been many surprises. So far, it’s been smooth.”

According to Barkley Garrett, vice president of economic & community development of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the need to improve local roads and bridges can’t be overstated.

“It plays a vital role in stimulating economic growth,” he said. “Improved infrastructure attracts businesses, encourages investment and creates job opportunities. It enhances the region’s competitiveness, making it more attractive for companies to establish or expand their operations. Additionally, infrastructure improvements can lead to increased tourism and visitor spending, which benefits the local economy.

“From a connectivity and mobility standpoint, upgrading and modernizing infrastructure enhances connectivity and mobility within and around Tuscaloosa, Northport and Tuscaloosa County,” Garrett added. “Well-designed roads and bridges and expanded bike and pedestrian paths improve accessibility and reduce travel times. This connectivity facilitates commuting, encourages trade and allows residents to access essential services, education, healthcare and recreation facilities more easily. A well-developed infrastructure system significantly improves the overall quality of life for our residents and visitors.”

Garrett noted there are a number of factors that have contributed to the significant growth in Tuscaloosa, Northport and the surrounding area.

“The presence of the University of Alabama is a significant driver of growth in Tuscaloosa,” he said. “The universi-

ty student population has almost doubled since 2007. UA has over 38,000 students. The growth in the student population required a similar growth in faculty and staff to support those students. This growth has created a demand for housing, services and businesses. The university’s academic programs, research activities, athletic events and cultural events contribute to the overall vibrancy of the area and stimulate economic development.”

Tuscaloosa also is home to major automotive manufacturing plants, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI).

“These facilities have brought substantial investments and job opportunities to the region, fueling economic growth and attracting related industries and suppliers,” said Garrett. “MBUSI’s recent announcement to produce only electric vehicles in the future has created a need for new suppliers to

move into our community to support the future production.”

Home football weekends attract more than 100,000 Crimson Tide fans, which doubles the size of the city of Tuscaloosa on seven weekends in the fall.

“Each home football game has an average economic impact to the community of approximately $20 million,” Garrett added. “The massive influx of that many more people and vehicles create challenges to the city’s infrastructure. Expanding and improving our local infrastructure will have a dramatic impact on getting fans into and out of town quickly and efficiently.”

Proceeds from the state gas tax increase will fund the project. Construction began in late 2021 and will continue until summer 2024. Ikaros LLC serves as the general contractor. AECOM of Dallas designed the project.  CEG (All photos courtesy of ALDOT.)

Construction began in late 2021 and will continue until summer 2024.

A $34 million effort that will enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion along busy U.S.-82 from Highway 69 to Rice Mine Road remains under construction in west-central Alabama.

As the first major Rebuild Alabama Act project in Tuscaloosa County, the 2.77-mi. undertaking will add a travel lane in each direction and provide better access management to businesses.