Today’s announcement by Gov. Robert Bentley that Remington Arms is locating a manufacturing plant in Huntsville was the culmination of a regional effort to bring more than 2,000 jobs to the area.
The City of Athens, Limestone County Commission and Limestone Economic Development Association are contributing a total of $1 million to the incentive package.
“This regional effort will provide our citizens in Athens and Limestone County with the opportunity to obtain good paying jobs, which is the reason we supported this effort,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “This is a nearly 200-year-old company bringing more than 2,000 jobs to our area, and when companies like this are looking at other locations, we have to work together on a regional scale to be competitive.”
Limestone County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee said entities in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties created an attractive incentive package for Remington Arms.
“I’m proud the project will be in North Alabama,” Menefee said. “It will greatly benefit Limestone County with the creation of new jobs. I also appreciate the efforts made by the governmental entities involved to make this project possible.”
Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said the tri-county area of Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties is attractive to industries because of the skilled workforce, transportation opportunities and quality of life. He said multi-million dollar investments such as this benefit not only the immediate area, but the surrounding areas as well.
“Just as companies in Limestone County such as Steelcase and Carpenter Technology’s Athens operations benefit Morgan and Madison counties, the Remington Arms expansion in Huntsville will benefit Limestone and Morgan counties,” Hill said. “In addition to the job opportunities it will provide, it also indicates to other industrial prospects that we are a growing area worth investing in.”
By: Holly Hollman
