Larry and Roxanne Gardner, owners of Alabama Venetian Blind Company (AVBCO), along with Foley Mayor Tim Russell and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) President Lance LaCour, announced AVBCO’s plans to construct a new state-of-the-art 90,000 sq. ft. facility and employ 75 people within three years. The Company will invest over $3,000,000 on a 26-acre site located at Barin Field about one mile south of U. S. Highway 98 adjacent to the Foley Beach Express. Annual payroll is projected to be over $1,800,000 by the end of third year of the plants operation.

Larry Gardner, Owner of Alabama Venetian Blind Company, announces plans for construction of a new polyvinyl manufacturing facility at Barin Field in Foley. Mayor Tim Russell is seated to the left.

AVBCO was established in 1948 in Birmingham, AL and manufactures polyvinyl shutters for Home Depot and other customers. The company will also manufacture shutter fabricating equipment to be used by shutter fabricators such as local Daphne company Bed and Blinds. Additionally, shutter fabricators from around the country will travel to Foley for training on how to set up and operate the equipment.

Larry and Roxanne Gardner and family will establish AVBCO’s corporate headquarters, manufacturing, assembly and distribution in Foley. Construction is expected to start in June with plant production beginning in November 2004.

The current operation in Birmingham has been sold to Slay Industries and the employees are expected to continue to work at that facility.

Others participating in the announcement included: the City Council of the City of Foley, Members of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Foley, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Board Members, South Baldwin Chamber Chairman Frances Holk Moore and South Baldwin Chamber Board Members.                                      
 

The site for the project is located at the intersection of County Roads 38 and 83. This facility will enhance the ability of local farmers to grow and market their peanuts. Jimmy Dorsett, President and CEO of Golden peanut Company, stated, “We are very happy to be a part of this excellent farming area. We feel this facility will aid in the continued growth of peanut production in the area.”

Golden Peanut Company, LLC, is a major sheller and processor of peanuts and peanut products. Golden Peanut operates processing plants in the major peanut growing areas of the United States and Argentina. The company plans for the Summerdale facility to be operational by September 1, 2004.
 

MRCS will employ about eight people initially and 15 over the next three years. Company President Sollie Bundy said the project involves the construction of a 20,000-sq. ft. building and a nearly $1.2 million capital investment.

Bundy credited the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Industrial Development Board of Foley and Foley Mayor Tim Russell for help with training-program assistance and providing tax incentives.

Construction is set to start June 1, with completion scheduled for August. Metal Roofing Inc. will continue to employ about 18 people at its location on Alabama 59 in Summerdale.  Contact them at (251) 989-7772.

Visit our Jobs Website at www.baldwinjobs.org for local employment information.
 

By the way, kudos to David Quina of Regions Bank for being the best example in the state of how and why to be an interviewer in this program: He has committed to doing over 40 interviews himself, and is over halfway to this goal! Why? Because he feels that getting to know other business leaders well gives him and his bank a competitive advantage in the community. If you would like to participate in this as an interviewer or interviewee, contact your local Chamber or Bob Higgins with BCEDA at 947-2445.

“I believe these visits will be very beneficial for the future growth of Baldwin County and this is an excellent opportunity to market our state and our area,” Kelly said.

“The main purpose of the visits was just to meet them and to keep our county fresh in their minds and also to let them know what is going on in Alabama. They may not be aware of all of the opportunities and benefits that we have here.”

Among the consultants that Kelly met with was the Canadian Consulate General. The Canadian Consulate serves as a liaison between Canadian companies and the areas in the United States in which they may locate. The other consultants that the group met with included: Deloitte & Touche, The Hart Corporation, Business Facility Planning Consultants, and Site Location Services.
 

BEI was established in 1990 in Fairhope and has its corporate headquarters, manufacturing, assembly and distribution in Point Clear.  They currently employ 45 people and have added 25 jobs in the past four months. The Company manufactures food service equipment, and publishes its Professional Services Supply Catalogue, which is distributed to the Food Service and the Hospitality Industries.

“BEI is pleased to announce this expansion and truly appreciates the efforts of Commissioner Bishop and the County Commission on our road paving project. We also appreciate the support from the Industrial Development Board of Fairhope and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. Without these organizations’ support this expansion would not be possible.” noted Jay Harlan, President of BEI.

County Commissioner Ed Bishop, LaCour, Mayor Tim Kant, Industrial Development Board Chairman Bill Payne, and Eastern Shore Chamber President, Darrelyn Bender welcomed the expansion. Bishop remarked, “We are extremely delighted that Buffet Enhancements is expanding in our growing business community. BEI is a true entrepreneurial success story in Baldwin County.

On behalf of Governor Bob Riley and Neal Wade of the Alabama Development Office (ADO), David Echols, ADO Industrial Development Representative, expressed their appreciation to BEI for expanding in Alabama. “The Alabama Development Office is pleased to have the opportunity to present BEI with a plaque of the State of Alabama Map. We provide this to you and appreciate your commitment to expand in Alabama and in Point Clear. Visit our websites at www.buffetenhancements.com  and www.southernchocolatefountains.com.

Harlan Receiving the State of Alabama Plaque. From Left to Right: Joe Faust, Alabama House of Representatives; Randy Davis, Alabama House of Representatives; Jay Harlan, Owner and President of Buffet Enhancements; and David Echols, Alabama Development Office.

Lance LaCour said the vote gives Baldwin officials the same authority that many other counties and states already have. The BCEDA Board resolved to support the amendment and LaCour worked with the local legislative delegation to sponsor the amendment. "It gives the industrial development boards and cities the option of being more competitive," LaCour said. "I think it shows how important economic development is in Baldwin County."

LaCour cited one company that is considering sites on the Eastern Shore for a high-tech manufacturing plant that would employ 75 to 125 people. The cost of land was one of several factors that prompted the company to delay the project, he said. Now, he said, Baldwin is competing with several other jurisdictions for location of the plant.