BY MICHELLE KEY | PUBLISHER
MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — Daewon America, Inc. announced its plans for a major addition to its existing facility located at 4600 Northpark Drive involving the construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings, the purchase and acquisition of new manufacturing machinery and equipment and other personal property and the transfer of used equipment and personal property. The capital improvements will involve an investment of approximately $46.2 million and is expected to create 100 new jobs.
“I believe everything in our local economy starts with a good paying job,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller in a press release that was sent to The Observer. “That has been my focus since you hired me as your mayor in 2004. Our community has been blessed with over 5,000 new good paying jobs since 2004. This significant additional capital investment by Daewon will result in property tax revenue to benefit Opelika City Schools, East Alabama Health and Lee County Youth Development Center. There is no question that this has been a team effort with City Council President Eddie Smith and the Opelika City Council, Ronnie Wilson and the Opelika Industrial Development Authority and John Sweatman and his Economic Development team. They have all played an important role in our continued success.”
President of Daewon America, Chris Cho added, “Daewon America is proud to partner with the City of Opelika and the Economic Development team in expanding our operations. Opelika has been an incredibly supportive home for our United States headquarters. We are humbly grateful to the city of Opelika and its residents as we continue to strengthen our roots in our community.”
Opelika Economic Development Director, John Sweatman also stated in the press release, “Daewon has continued to be a valued partner in Opelika since their initial announcement to come to our community in 2006. Daewon’s total capital investment over the past 18 years, including this new expansion, is well over $164 million and the new total number of jobs created to 260. We look forward to supporting Daewon’s new expansion efforts and we are extremely thankful they decided to choose Opelika.”
The improvements are expected to be completed by in approximately three years.
The Opelika City Council approved tax abatements and exemptions for Daewon during its meeting Tuesday night.
“In my 20 years on the Opelika City Council, the past 16 as president, we’ve had the pleasure of approving many of these abatements that mean additional good paying jobs for our citizens,” said City Council President Eddie Smith in the press release.
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
- The council held four public hearings during the meeting. The first was regarding the demolition of a structure located at 1300 Spring Drive. The council later voted to approve the demolition.
- The next two hearings were for weed abatement assessments for property located at 815 1st Ave. and 4 Avenue A. The council later approved both of the assessments. The final hearing was pertaining to the amending of the Zoning Ordinance: Section 7.3C District Regulations Use Categories for the Institutional District (I-1). This ordinance was introduced for its first reading.
- The council approved a request for a downtown street closure for a Bourbon Festival on Oct. 12.
- The council approved a bid from Downtown Cleaners for uniform cleaning for the Opelika Police Department (OPD).
- The council approved a bid from Flora Terra LLC for weed abatement services for the Revenue Department.
- The council approved a bid from D & J Enterprises Inc. in an amount of just over $1.4 million for the McCoy Street Improvements.
- The council approved expense reports from various departments.
- The council approved a resolution to designate city personal property as surplus and authorize its disposal.
- The council approved a grant application from the OPD for a bullet proof vest grant in the amount of 47,310. The city of Opelika is required to provide a 50% match of all funds appropriated.
- The council approved an extension of its contract with Valley Rescue Mission Inc.
The resolution for the demolition of 401 N 16th Place remained tabled. - The council approved a special appropriation of $1,250 to GEMS Empowered for its Juneteenth Celebration. GEMSEMPOWERED INC. is a 501C-3 nonprofit that started in Opelika twelve years ago. It said its mission is to grow, educate and empower citizens of Opelika as well as those throughout Alabama and Georgia. The company said it has empowered several single mothers to become homeowners in Opelika. In addition, more than ten nonprofits in Opelika were started with the assistance of GEMS.
- The council approved a special appropriation of $80,000 to Envision Opelika for renovations to the Southside Center for the Arts.
- The council tabled an ordinance to repeal Section 22-5 of the City Code of Ordinances: Ending Funeral Escort Services. This will take affect July1, 2024.
- The council introduced an ordinance for an annexation petition by Antione Harvis to annex 48 acres of land located at 2051 AL Highway 169 for its first reading.
