“The project includes numerous benefits such as job creation, economic gain, and a commitment to community development,” Bollin added.

GROWTH PLANS

Colclasher Enterprises plans the job creation in Selma to take place over three years. The average wage at the facility will be approximately $24 per hour, with the starting wage for hourly earners ranging from $21.63 to $22.50, according to the Selma & Dallas County EDA.

The company plans to invest around $9 million in manufacturing equipment by October 2024.

“I feel the company is a good fit for our community,” EDA Executive Director Wayne Vardaman said.

“Corporate decision-makers around the world are increasingly gravitating towards the compelling business advantages offered by Alabama’s rural communities.”

The EDA coordinated meetings with the Alabama Department of Commerce and The Alabama Department of Revenue in locating the new Colclasher Enterprises facility. The Dallas County Commission and the Craig Field Airport & Industrial Authority assisted the EDA in bringing the project to fruition.

Colclasher Enterprises joined Selma and Dallas County officials at a press conference last week to outline its plans for the facility.

RURAL IMPACT

Colclasher Enterprises produces drainage solutions for agriculture, stormwater, and residential applications. The company produces corrugated plastic pipes, farm drainage tile, fittings, stormwater detention and infiltration systems, chambers, inlet structures, and water quality treatment options.

With facilities in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Alabama, the company supplies customers across the Midwest and Southern U.S., according to the Selma & Dallas County EDA.

Brenda Tuck, Rural Development Manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce, said Colclasher Enterprises’ selection of Selma for its growth project is a reminder that the state’s rural communities are well positioned for investment and job creation.

“Corporate decision-makers around the world are increasingly gravitating towards the compelling business advantages offered by Alabama’s rural communities,” Tuck said.

“The secret is out of the bag — rural Alabama is home to high-performing companies operating in a broad array of industries, and new growth projects like the one just announced by Colclasher Enterprises will advance that reputation,” she added.

The Selma & Dallas County EDA said the Colclasher project has potential for future growth and investment, depending upon industry trends. The company is considering the possibility of a 10,000-square-foot expansion of the building, starting in July 2026. The third line could be fully operational by Jan. 1, 2027.