Around 4,700 jobs expected with development of new Jefferson County industrial park

Around 4,700 new jobs are expected to accompany the development of a new industrial park in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Economic & Industrial Development Authority (JCEIDA) announced Monday, June 10, it has around 1,100 acres set aside for the development, with the majority of the property located in unincorporated north Jefferson County.

“We’re in the job business,” said JCEIDA Executive Director Othell Phillips. “We try to create jobs. That’s what our goal is.”

JCEIDA said the property is located off Interstate 65 at exit 275 near the Gardendale/Morris area.

JCEIDA said the new industrial park, JeffMet North, is strategically located for automotive supplier opportunities due to it being 72 miles from the Toyota Mazda Plant in Huntsville, 47 miles from the Mercedes Plant in Vance and 57 miles from the Honda Plant in Lincoln.

JCEIDA said the new park will also be ideal for additive manufacturing and food production facilities.

“Most of the automobile manufacturers want their suppliers within 90 miles. That way, logistically, it’s close enough to serve them but they want the outside of their workforce area,” said Phillips.

JCEIDA said it matched a $191,365 grant it received from the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA). JCEIDA said the money was used to “complete the engineering and due diligence” on JeffMet North.