CONTRIBUTED BY
THE CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA —
The Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) recently presented E-8 Master Sgt. Comer Kite and his family with the Vets Choose Opelika relocation incentive package. This program is part of Opelika’s workforce development and talent attraction initiatives.
While stationed at Fort Campbell in Tennessee, Kite completed the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes Make America (HMA) certification program, which is a talent attraction feeder program for Opelika employers. Upon graduation and transitioning to civilian life, Kite chose Opelika as his next home base and will be starting his new career here in Opelika. He recently accepted a position as operations manager at the Wal Mart Distribution Center in Opelika’s Northeast Industrial Park.
“My wife and I are both from Montgomery, Alabama,” Kite said. “After years of being away from home due to my military career, we knew we wanted to retire in Alabama but didn’t know which city. While visiting family in Montgomery we were heading to Auburn but stopped and visited Opelika, and it immediately just felt like home. We were really impressed with the growth and opportunities in the city of Opelika. After researching and learning more about the city, we made the decision that Opelika was the perfect location for me to retire and start a new career.”
The Vets Choose Opelika relocation incentive package includes a cash incentive for establishing a residency within the city limits of Opelika and going to work with an Opelika company. In addition, some utility connection fees are reimbursed, and participants receive a one-year family membership to Opelika’s Sportsplex and Aquatic Center. Currently this program is only available for transitioning military, veterans and military spouses who are relocating to Opelika and have either graduated from the HMA program or have participated in the city’s Career Skills Program (CSP) internship partnership with Fort Benning.
For more information, please contact John Sweatman, project manager, Opelika Economic Development, at jsweatman@opelika-al.gov.