By Rebekah Martin
Associate Editor
The Opelika City Council held a special meeting last week and announced a new industry will be coming to Opelika. Car Tech, LLC, an automotive parts manufacturer, will invest an initial $44 million into its facility at 600 Fox Run Parkway, and an estimated $71 million in total before it is completed. The move will bring 45 full-time jobs to Opelika and is expected to expand to 200 during the next four years. The project is estimated to be placed in service by Sept. 30, 2020.
Lori Huguley, director of Opelika Economic Development, said the company’s arrival will improve the local economy and job market.
“Initially they’re going to be investing over $44 million, so that’s going to be creating property tax in our area. They’re also going to be bringing jobs … so that’s going to be some more opportunities for jobs for our citizens,” Huguley said. “We are always looking for opportunities to bring good paying jobs and good companies … to our area.”
According to the resolution the city council passed last week, Opelika will grant tax abatements for “all state and local non-educational property taxes for a period of 10 years; and all construction related transactions (sales and use) taxes, except those construction related transaction taxes levied for educational purposes or for capital improvements for education.”