Two grants totaling $630,000 to be used for improvements in the industrial park located on Sutton Road recently have been awarded to the City of Andalusia.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Earl Johnson told council members than $560,000 received from ADECA is for infrastructure improvements in the park, where SaeHaeSung recently moved equipment into its new facility.

The grant will assist in the upgrades of water and sewerage systems in the park, and was announced recently by Speaker of the House Seth Hammett and Sen. Jimmy Holley.

The best part, Johnson said, is that the grant can be counted as matching funds in the city’s pursuit of a separate grant for infrastructure improvements in the park.

In addition to building the new SaeHaeSung facility, the city recently has acquired adjoining property to expand the park. An industrial access road linking the park to Hwy. 29 also is under construction.

Tuesday, the city received word it will receive an additional $70,000 in state funds through a grant awarded by the state Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation. Those funds are for the access road project, for which the city had already been awarded $1.45 million.

“Andalusia’s industrial park is thriving and I am glad the state is willing

to further invest in improvements to help us grow our economy in Covington County,” Hammett said.

“The recent SaeHaeSung expansion underscores the

need to keep our infrastructure ready for companies that want to locate and

grow in Andalusia.”

SaeHaeSung is a Hyundai and Kia supplier that is expanding its operation in Andalusia and expects to add 150 workers over the next two years.

“SaeHaeSung is an asset to Andalusia and all of Covington County,” Hammett said.

“From an economic development standpoint, it makes sense for the state to help this company grow and prosper so that our citizens can as well.”

Holley said the grants demonstrate the state’s commitment to this

important aspect of Alabama’s economy. “SaeHaeSung is a good example of

private enterprise and government agencies working together,” he said.