By William Thornton / February 21, 2017 at 4:37 PM / AL.com


 

Bibb County is getting more than a half-million dollars to prepare for the coming of MollerTech.

Gov. Robert Bentley today announced a $546,000 Community Development Block Grant to the Bibb County Commission for infrastructure improvements in Woodstock, to support the building of the $46.3 million auto parts production plant.

“Attracting companies and new jobs to rural counties remains a priority in our overall economic development strategy,” Bentley said. “Job creation is key to making Alabama a great state.”

The money will be used to extend sewer service into the Scott G. Davis Industrial Park, adjacent to Woodstock.

MollerTech, a German auto supplier specializing in plastic parts, broke ground on the plant in November. The project will employ 160 people and full production at the 150,000-square-foot plant is expected to begin by the end of 2019.

It will manufacture interior parts for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz SUVs, which is part of the Vance plant’s $1.3 billion expansion announced in 2015.

CDBG grants are made available through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said proper infrastructure is critical to job recruitment efforts in Alabama.

“As project agreements are being developed at the state and local level, ADECA is an important resource to ensure sewer service and other needed infrastructure are ready for economic development,” he said. “I am proud of ADECA’s investment in Bibb County and the addition of 160 jobs for our citizens.”