On Tuesday, a short ceremony was held at the John D. Harrison Cultural Center in Luverne to announce the arrival of a new Tier 2 supplier to the area. Chowel Weldparts, Inc. will locate on Highway 331 north, just south of the county landfill and supply the SMART Plant, the county's first Tier 1 facility, with manufactured tips for that plant's welding robots.

Chowel Weldparts, Inc. is a joint company owned by both Japanese and Koreans.

The plant will eventually employ between 20 to 30 people, said Jimmy Lester, board president for the Crenshaw County Economic and Industrial Development Authority.

The CCEIDA also announced another Tier 2 supplier for Hyundai, Sun Construction and Welding Company, would be arriving in Crenshaw County when a facility is found for their use. This facility would employ up to 10 people.

Additionally, Dongwon, the Tier 1 facility in Sardis, recently announced plans for a 10,000 square foot expansion that would increase its number of employees to 190 by Nov. 2005, said Lester.