The Community Development Block Grant that will help bring about 20 jobs to Dale County is the result of “great teamwork,” said Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon Thursday. “This will benefit the entire county.”

The grant will be used to provide infrastructure for Averitt Express, a freight transportation company with plans to locate a 21,200 square-foot facility on Dale County Road 10–Mance Newton Road–just off U.S. Highway 231 and south of Midland City.

Company leaders say Averitt Express has outgrown its current facility in nearby Houston County. As a result, it is moving approximately 1.5 miles north along the highway to the new location which will include a service center and warehouse. The company plans a total investment of $15 million at the new location. Averitt Express currently employs 37 people.

McKinnon said that County Road 10 currently is too narrow to accommodate 18-wheeler traffic that the facility will generate and that he and Dale County Engineer Matt Murphy met with Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affair Director Kenneth Boswell to discuss the county’s commitment to widen the road and make it capable of handling the increased traffic.

The Dale County Commission is the conduit for these funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “ADECA joins with Gov. Ivey in commending local leaders who worked with Averitt Express to find a suitable location that will enable their business to grow, creating new job opportunities for area residents,” Boswell said.

McKinnon credited Holle Smith, Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation for her assistance with the project. The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission helped with the grant writing, he said. “The success of this project is the result of great teamwork.”

“The ODEDC was pleased to have the opportunity to support this project through the attainment of the tax abatement and efforts toward the traffic study and road improvements,” said Smith. This expansion and relocation come with a $16.2 million investment into the community.

The project, represented by Ryan, LLC, was granted a tax abatement by the City of Midland City. “Midland City is so excited to have Averitt Express locating here in our city,” said Cynthia Gary, mayor of Midland City. “With the trucking company’s location at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Dale County Road 10, a traffic study has warranted the intersection be upgraded.”  The traffic study was sponsored by the city through contributions from Averitt Express, Michelin USA, and Lewis Aggregates. 

“The city council and I are working to bring more businesses here for our citizens, as well as visitors,” Gary added.

“We are excited to be moving into our new facility in Midland City,” said Alan Jimmerson, Service Center Director for Averitt. “It will be more than twice the size of our current facility and creates opportunities to expand and provide even greater levels of quality service to our customers. This growth also allows us to enhance our focus on elements of what we call ‘The Winners Circle,’ which symbolizes our commitment to the Averitt culture through continuous investments in our customers, our associates, and our future.” 

“The hope is that Midland City’s welcoming efforts will lead the way to the development of further business and industry,” said Smith.

Construction on the project is currently underway with plans for completion later this year.

“I am pleased to award this grant to the Dale County Commission to help prepare access to the 14-acre site where Averitt Express will be located and afford the company ample room to grow and hire more employees in the future,” said Ivey in making the announcement. “Averitt Express has a strong background with numerous fleet safety awards and will be a good addition to Dale County.”

Dale County has pledged $36,000 in local funds for the project.