City receives $400K ADECA grant

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded the City of Andalusia a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant to facilitate the expansion of one of Alabama's most well-known home-grown food products, creating jobs for Alabamians.

Conecuh Sausage Co. Inc. announced last February its plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Andalusia. The family-owned, Evergreen-based business, established in 1947, is building a 102,000-square-foot plant to meet a growing market demand. The new plant is expected to employ 110 people people.

The CDBG funds will be used by the City of Andalusia Utilities Board to provide sewerage services and public water to the $58 million production facility and office complex under construction in the Andalusia Industrial Park.

"Conecuh Sausage is an Alabama food landmark recognized throughout the Southeast and as far north as the Canadian border," Gov. Ivey said. "I am thrilled by this company's success, and I am excited to see its continued growth, creating jobs right here in Alabama with this new facility in Andalusia."

Conecuh Sausage is sold throughout the Southeast and has markets in Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin. Among its retail customers are Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Aldi, Greer's and Winn Dixie.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Conecuh Sausage has become as much an Alabama food icon as Wiregrass peanuts and Chilton County peaches," ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. "ADECA is proud to be a part of this expansion project in Andalusia, and we wish them continued success as they go forward."

Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Earl V. Johnson that the grant had been approved. The city is contributing $80,000 in local funds for the project.

"We appreciate the assistance and support from Gov. Ivey and Director Boswell for this project," Mayor Earl Johnson. "Our industrial park, where Conecuh Sausage is locating, has public utilities, but we needed additional water supply for food processing. This grant will help us put that piece of the puzzle in place."

ADECA administers a wide range of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.