Electricfil Corporation in Elkmont announced Friday it would potentially hire 200 new employees through 2017 as part of a $9.5 million expansion.
A press release said the company would hire 120 employees through 2015 and possibly 80 more between 2016 and 2017. The expansion will make the Elkmont location the North American headquarters for the company.
Headquartered in Beynost, France, Electricfil Corporation manufactures engine and transmission sensors for automotive ignition systems.
Phase one of the expansion will include a 24,000-square-foot expansion to the manufacturing plant and Phase two will see the building of an 18,000-square-foot office. Athens-based Premiere Structures Inc., has been chosen as the general contractors for the project.
The expanded manufacturing facility will be operational in July 2012, and the new office will be complete in mid-2013.
Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said he’s thrilled by the size of the expansion and the prospect of additional jobs for Limestone Countians.
“They’ve been here since 2004 and have done a really good job of meeting the needs of the automotive industry, and they’ve been rewarded with a lot of new business that will allow them to expand the facility,” he said. “It’s a real positive step for Limestone County and Elkmont. We’re happy they’re expanding and we look forward to assisting them in the future.”
Elkmont Mayor Tracy Compton was equally excited about the size of the expansion. He said if the company hires 200 new workers by 2017, there would be almost as many employees working at Electricfil as there are residents of Elkmont.
“This is a huge deal for the town,” he said. “(Electricfil officials) have praised the surrounding area for the level of expertise. They’ve been pleased with the workforce, and we can’t say enough good about them.”
Electricfil’s expansion was aided in part by a decision made to correct water-pressure problems at the Elkmont Industrial Park. Local leaders decided the best way to correct the issue would be to install a 150,000-gallon water tank and pump.
In December, Bentley announced the project would receive a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
Gov. Robert Bentley along with the Alabama Development Office and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in conjunction with the Limestone County Commission and the town of Elkmont assisted with grant money and matching funds for the necessary water expansion project.
“Helping Alabama communities to grow and develop the services and amenities that attract new business and encourage existing businesses to expand is vital to our state’s economic future,” Bentley said in a press release. “I am pleased to provide investment in the future of Elkmont and Alabama.”