By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
At last night’s Prattville City Council meeting, as well as at the Autauga County Commission meeting, approval was given for Project Mayfield to go forward, which will bring hundreds of jobs to the area and make a significant financial impact on the community as well.
The measure, which authorizes the mayor to enter into an economic development agreement between the City of Prattville, Autauga County, the Water Works Board of the City of Prattville and James Hardie Building Products, Inc., was approved unanimously by city and county leaders.
The project involves the expansion of the James Hardie facility and the details of the project are substantial, according to a press release from the city.
“The City of Prattville is honored to partner with James Hardie to announce the expansion of its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Prattville, Alabama,” read the release. “This expansion will provide an additional $400 Million Investment and 200 additional quality jobs to make the Prattville facility the largest James Hardie plant worldwide.”
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie said, “James Hardie’s partnership with the City of Prattville is a true testament to our community’s high-quality local natural resources, infrastructure, and workforce. An investment of this size shows that the world’s leading fiber cement manufacturer is committed to Prattville. With this expansion, not only will James Hardie have the largest worldwide facility located in our South Industrial Park, but it will offer 200 additional jobs with a workforce totaling a minimum of 405 employees. This industrial expansion is about community partnership and providing citizens with high caliber employment while enhancing the quality of life for all.”
Gov. Kay Ivey celebrated the Prattville news as well.
“I’m very pleased that James Hardie is pursuing growth plans that will create 200 new jobs at its Alabama manufacturing center,” she said in a press release. “This significant expansion project shows the world that another world-class company is thriving in our state. This growth will solidify James Hardie’s presence in Prattville, and I know we can work together to create a bright future for the community.”
According to the company’s website, James Hardie Industries is the world’s number one producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, which employs a global workforce of approximately 5,200 employees across operations in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, and generated more than $3.6 billion in net sales during its 2022 financial year.
