Alabama Company Planning Jackson County Location

Officials in Jackson County have given final approval to Alabama-based Sims Bark Co. to build a new facility in Crothersville. The Seymour Tribune reports the company plans to initially invest up to $8 million to build the bark mulch manufacturing facility near Interstate 65 and create 20 jobs.

The Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special exception to allow for industrial usage of the nearly 60-acre site, most of which is zoned for general business, according to the publication. The company plans to acquire the property and construction on the first phase of the project is expected to begin in June.

Andy Johnson, vice president of operations for Sims Bark Co., told the board the company plans to contract with local sawmills for raw material to be used at the facility. The first phase of the project is expected to be complete by 2020 with the second phase being complete in 2021. The number of employees could also double after the second phase is finished.

Sims Bark Co. has several facilities in other states. Johnson said the Crothersville location could follow the example of other more rural locations, which sell directly to the public, however he added that would not happen in the first year or two.

You can read more about the project in the Seymour Tribune by clicking here.